Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 183, 10 July 1869, Page 5

Blenheim Borough Council.

The Council met on Monday evening last, when were present the Mayor in the chair; Councillors Robinson, Sinclair, Hutcheson, Hodson, Nosworthy, and Dodson. The Council decided upon a sketch to form the basis of a design for the Borough Seal. Around the rim the legend was 11 Corporation of Blenheim, Marlborough,” and, in the field were emblematic figures representing shipping, corn, and wool-packs, surrounding the Blenheim Town Hall. The Mayor was ordered to take steps to get it engraved. Cr. Noswortiiy, having given notice to move that the Council go into Committee to consider what works were required to be done this year, in order that an estimate might be formed according to law, now wished to amend the motion by leaving out the word “ Committee” as unnecessary. Cr. Hodson thought it better to go into Committee, otherwise no Councillor would be able to speak more than once.

Cr. Dodson considered it was unnecessary to go into minute particulars at the present time.

The amendment being lost, the Council went into Committee, Cr. Hutcheson in the chair.

The Mayor had made a calculation as to some of the works which most required attention, among which were High-street in a westerly direction, which required to be formed; Maxwell-road, he remarked, would not cost much if the water tables were properly made, as considerable material would be obtained by so doing ; Alfrcdstreet, Grove-road, corner of Redwood-street, and clearing some other portions to the back of Maxwell-road, also required attention. Cr. Robinson thought £6O would be in? sufficient to make High-street passable, ak it was at present a perfect quagmire. In reply to Cr. Sinclair, the Clerk stated that a maximum rate would produce about £395.

Of. . Sinclair said he would prefer to settle the amount of the rate first, and then see what sum would be left after payment of the liabilities.

Cr. Dodson showed that by clause 208 of the Act they were bound first to prepare an estimate of the money required-' for—the~ several purposes in respect of which they are authorised to expend or apply the Borough Fund, and notice given of their intention to make a rate. Cr. Sinclair asked what the liabilities amounted to, and would urge that this year only a small rate of 6d. should be levied. Cr. Dodson found on reference to a statement before them that the amount was £175, which was chiefly in large sums, and he would suggest that part should be paid this, and the remainder next year. The Mayor was of the same opinion, and showed that the places he had indicated as needing repairs, with the contracts already being carried out, and the necessary salaries and expenses, would be much in excess of the sum which would be raised by a 6d. rate, as suggested by Cr. Sinclair. Cr. Sinclair did not see, on looking over the liabilities, that we could ask any of the creditors to wait for their monies. He was himself protected by law, and could recover at any time, with the addition of 8 per cent, interest; but, with respect to the others, he was not aware whether they were bound to pay them. The understanding at the public meetings held in reference to the adoption of the Act was, however, that they should take up the liabilities of the old Board, and he was content to abide by that. But among the places named he did 'not see anything put down for repairs to the road leading to the Manse, nor for the hank near Mr. Bomford’s, which was a very serviceable work, and likely to benefit the town. Cr. Hodson said that no doubt they were hound in equity to pay these debts; he did not know if legally, but it was not for the creditors to say whether they would take half or not, but for them to say what they would-pay them. . They could not afford to ; pay all this year, if they were to do any 'amount of work. The main thing to be 'done, he considered, was to clear all the ditches and water-courses, the stuff from which would help to improve the roads. The varying amounts of the recent tenders showed how difficult it was for them to estimate precisely what amount was required. He thought all the ditches should be. cleared out first at the public expense, and afterwards notice to be served on owners to keep them clear. , . Cr. Dodson agreed with much that had fallen from last speaker, and also considered a maximum rate necessary. His intention was to propose a motion relative to taking

up the liabilities, being favorable to the payment of one-half this year, which, he believed, would satisfy nearly all the creditors ; and he could speak for Mr. Conolly, who, after Mr. Sinclair, was one ot the largest, and would be satisfied. The bank alluded to was not of a character to be taken out of the general rates, but should rather be paid by a special one. Jelly man had done the work, and done it well, ot his own accoi’d, but he did not know how he was to be paid. The work would not benefit the whole town, as had been stated. He would move that a maximum rate be levied, so as to raise about £4OO. Cr. Robinson agreed with much that had been said, but not all. Jcllyman had began the bank since the Council were elected, and had said he was going to ask the Council for the money some day, and Mr. Bomford had intimated to a similar effect. It was not for parties to improve their own properties, and then come to the Council for payment. AVcre he one of the creditors he should be very willing to take half his debt this year. He would second the motion in favor of a maximum rate, and put the town in thorough repair. Cr. Sinclair did not care how they decided, so fur as he was concerned, as Mr. Bagge was liable to him by law. Cr. Dodson said he wished the liabilities to bo a first charge on the rates, but that could not be, as he suggested payment in two years. At the meetings they had talked of not going in for an extreme rate this year; ho was pledged to go in only for a low one, mid should propose a 6d. rate. The principal work named in the list before them was High-street, where there were but few residents ; and if Cr. Hudson’s proposal was adopted, a very small rate would do this year. The Mayor said the works ho had named were those he had noticed as requiring immediate attention, but he had expected other Councillors to have added to them. He would point out that a Gd. rate would leave them £SO in debt after paying off’ the liabilities and the contracts lately made. He could not see how they could do with less than Is. rate this year. The Chairman thought something between fid. and Is. would be necessary to do any works this year beyond providing for existing liabilities. Cr. Sinclair suggested that the Council should advance money tolissist the rates out of their own pockets. He did not. see how they could meet their constituents if they passed -a-masimum-rato. Cr. Robinson said it was no use cight'or nine men meeting there twice a month only, to raise money to pay off the debts. He reminded the last speaker that a maximum rate under the present Act would be a very different thing to the old one, as in lieu of paying £lll he would only have, to pay about £ls.

Cr. Dodson did not wish to gain popularity with the ratepayers by proposing a 6d. rate, nor did he fear to confront their displeasure. The utmost they could raise was only £4OO, which, ho contended, would not be oppressive. The mode of rating was well understood out of doors, and the amounts to be paid are generally lower, so that there would be no hardship in paying them. The public had generally reckoned on paying Is. in the pound. He was reminded that he had made a mistake when he said the debts of the old Board were not just; what he meant was that they were not legally due by this Council. He then moved the following amended resolution :

‘ ‘ That the following be the estimate for the purpose of making a rate for the ensuing year : Salaries, &c., .4GO ; Liabilities of the late Board of Works, £BS ; Repairs to Roads, .£255 ; Total, £400.” Cr. Hodinson seconded.

Cr. Sinclair rose to move, as an amendment, that the rate to be levied be 6d. in the pound. Cr Nosworthy showed that it was incompetent of the Council to levy a rate that evening, nor until an estimate had been passed. The motion was then put, and carried with one dissentient. The Council then resumed, and the chairman reported progress. On Cr. Hosworthy’s motion the report was then adopted. Cr. Hoswokthy moved that notice ho given of the intention of the Council to levy a rate of Is. in the pound, at the next meeting. As the end of the financial year was drawing on, no time should be lost. Cr. Hodson seconded, and the motion was carried. Cr. Kobinson wished to move that Standing Orders be suspended to move a motion retative to the Printing and Advertising, but afterwai’ds withdrew it. The following notices of motion were th&n-given:— /Cr. Nosworthy to move—“ That this Council JIo now proceed to levy a rate of one shilling im the pound, for the year ending November 30tl/ 1869” /

Cr. Dodson to move—“ That this Council, recognising the claims that certain creditors have in respect of sums of money due to them by the late Board of Works, are willing to pay such claims, and will do so in the following way One moiety out of the rates to be raised this year, and the remainder out of the rates to be raised next year.”

Cr. Robinson to move —“That all Advertisements of this Council bo inserted in the Express, and that such newspaper be filed,” Cr. Hodson to move—“ That the Council do take into consideration the necessity of appointing an Inspector of Works ; and if they think proper, to combine the office of Collector with that of Inspector.”