Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 190, 21 August 1869, Page 4

Blenheim Borough Council.

On Tnursday evening, an ordinary meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber. The Mayor in the chair, and all the Council present. Collector. —Applications for the office of Collector and Inspector were read from Mr. C. Griffiths, and Mr John T. Robinson. Cr. Farmar proposed Mr. Griffiths as Collector. Cr. Hodson seconded the motion, and Cr. Dodson supported it. Cr. Hutcheson suggested the postponement of the appointment until next meeting, to admit of further applications. Cr. Dodson opposed the postponement. Cr Sinclair wished to make an amendment, to the effect that the offices should be combined. He approved of Mr. Griffiths as Collector, but not as Inspector of Works. He wished the matter postponed a fortnight to admit of further applications. Cr. Farmar ol jeeted to the delay as unnecessary. Cr. Hodson enquired when the rate would be payable. The Mayor said at any time after the 15th inst Cr. Sinclair said the rate had not been published yet to show everyone how much he had to pay. The Clerk pointed out that the Act did not make it requisite. Cr. Sinclair moved that the ofiiccs be combined, but it was not seconded, and Mr Griffiths was then elected.

Inspector. —Cr. Hodson, seconded by Cr. Dodson, moved that Mr. Robinson be elected Inspector of Works. The Mayor stated that Mr. Robinson declined to accept the office alone at the salary fixed. Cr. Robinson moved that the appointment be postponed for a fortnight, as whoever was appointed would have to superintend the works of two years during the next twelvemonths. Cr. .Taylor seconded, and Cr. Dodson replied that his services would only continue to the end of the financial year, and would be at the rate of £5 per annum. Motion carried. Appeals. —The Mayor informed the Council that two appeals had been heard by the Bench, and the result He enquired whether the Council would employ a solicitor to defend them at the hearing of other appeals to be heard at the next sitting of the Petty Sessions Court Cr. Sinclair referred to the late appeals, and urged that no lawyer was required. He expressed his surprise at hearing from those present that officers of the Council who attended, had claimed expenses. Cr. Dodson considered that in doubtful cases, and especially those in question, they ought to have legal assistance. Cr. Hodson did not see the necessity. Cr. Robinson thought it highly necessary, and justifiable, considering how the smallest quibbles had been taken advantage of in the past. Cr. Sinclair wished to go on with the next motion, as they were discussing extraneous matter. High-street, —Cr. Robinson moved that tenders be called for metalling High-street and the Market Place, and for repairing the portion already metalled. He explained that he only wished High-street formed and metalled from the Market Place to Mrs. Flood’s corner, which he estimated at Cr. Sinclair seconded, but as other localities required attention, he wished to hear them canvassed before this was passed. Cr. Robinson refused to accede to this proposal, Cr, Hodson wished to know if they were bound to accept tenders, as otherwise they could call for tenders for the various works, and see how much they would cost, and then decide on what should bo undertaken. The Mayor suggested that £4O should be spent on the work named. Cr. Robinson did not see the force of doing a piece, and leaving the rest undone. Cr. Hutcheson secondedthe Mayor’s amendment, as it would not be fair to spend more than its share of the fund. Cr, Dodson said it would be money welllaid out, but it was not quite impassable as were the roads leading to the Manse, and from his own place to Bomford’s. The proposal was bad in principle, and he suggested the formation of a Committee to examine the places named, and report upon them, Cr. Taylor said there was not even a footpath in High-street, as the carts had cut them all away, and a female could not get without going round. It wanted either metalling or something else. Cr. Farmar said he was sur-

prised how carts got along the road to Sinclair’s bridge. Cr. Sinclair found there was only .£l2O left, and supported the formation of a committee to apply the money to the most necessitous places ; Maxwell-road did not want doing badly, and was like a drying-ground compared to some of the places named. The Mayor’s amendment being put was lost, and the original motion was carried.

Seal. —On the motion of Or. Robinson, the Mayor’s private seal was pronounced the Borough Seal for the time being. Treasurer.— Cr. Robinson moved the appointment of a Treasurer, which was carried. Cr. Dodson moved that the Bank Manager for the time being be elected. Cr. Robinson moved that J. B. Wemyss, Esq , be Treasurer. Cr. Sinclair moved that the Bank itself be appointed. Cr. Nos worthy seconded the first motion, and Cr. Hodson the second, which was also supported by the Mayor, and ultimately Mr. Wemyss was elected. Leeds Quay. —Cr. Hutcheson moved that the bad state of Leeds Quay rendered its being gravelled highly necessary, which was seconded by Cr. Sinclair, and supported by Cr. Robinson. Cr. Dodson replied, saying it would be very unfair to call for tenders which might not be accepted, and likely to lead to bad consequences. The amendment was carried. Maxwell Road. — Cr. Hodson moved that tenders be called for repairs from Taylor bridge to the boundary of the town, and showed how material might be got from the sides of the roads, which would materially assist the work. Cr. Sinclair assumed that a committee would be formed. Cr. Robinson suggested that tenders should be called for keeping the roads leading through the town in repair for a term of one or more years. The Mayor thought that by rounding off the road, and gravelling about a chain from the bridge was all that was required, and could be done for a trifling expense. Motion carried. Waiter-street —Cr. Taylor moved that tenders be called forfilling two dangerousgulliesandclearing ditches in Waiter-street. Cr. Sinclair said, “ along with the rest.” Cr. Robinson did not understand what was meant by “along with the rest” ; these works were decided as they went. Motion carried. lien trick Road. —Cr. Dodson moved that the road from Murray’s corner to Sinclair’s bridge be formed, and that tenders be called for the work. The Mayor moved an amendment that the work should be from the brewery to the town bouudai'y as the portion near Murray’s had had a sura already expended on it. Cr. Taylor seconded. Cr. Dodson replied that he only wished the work placed in the same category as the Jrest, and said it was for forming the road only, which had not been done. The motion was carried.

Wo'ks Committee —Cr. Dodson moved suspension of Standing Orders to move the appointment of a Committee, which was carried. He afterwards moved that the following be a Committee to take into consideration the works passed, make specifications, and call for tenders :—Messrs. Robinson, Hodson, Farmar, Hutcheson, the Mayor, and the mover, which was carried. Or. Sinclair wished Standing Orders in clause 53, Schedule 13, suspended to allow works to be proceeded with by the Committee. Or. Robinson objected, as he thought all specifications should be submitted to the Council, and considered by it. Upon his calling for a division, Cr. Nosworthy said no division was needed, as the motion was not unanimous. The motion was lost. Cr. Robinson moved that the remaining notices stand over till next week, which was carried. Cr, Nosworthy moved that Cr, Farmar be the retiring Councillor at the ensuing election, which was carried, and the Council adjourned.