Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 191, 28 August 1869, Page 3

Blenheim Borough Council.

An adjourned meeting of the Council was held on Thursday evening last. Present : the Mayor, Cvs. Robinson, Hutcheson, Sinclair, Taylor, Hodson, Farmar, Nos worthy, and Hudson. We are unable this week to give a detailed report of the proceedings. Notices were read of appeals against rates to be heard at the next Petty Sessions Court, from Messrs. Sinclair and Bomford. The proposed security of Mr. C. Griffiths was accepted, and the Mayor empowered to execute the necessary bond. Printing and Adrertisiny.- Or. Hodson moved that tenders for printing and advertising be obtained from the proprietors of both the Express and the Neivs. He did this because they were at present in the hands of the proprietor of the Express, who could do as he liked with them. He had nothing to say against him, and the work had been done well and reasonably. The Mayor explained that the Clerk had arranged with the Express that advertisements should be inserted at the same low scale as under his contract with the old Board, until the question had been decided by the Council. Cr. Sinclair considered it was necessary to advertise in both papers. Publicity was well worthy of the expense. It was mentioned on a former occasion, but no motion was made. The Clerk had made the arrangement alluded to entirely on his own authority, and the Council was not bound by it. It would be a great injustice to the ratepayers to put the advertisements in one paper and not in the other. As to the job-work, it ought to be tendered for. Some ratepayers complained of being hurried in having to pay their rates in 14 days. Cr. Nosworthy said the question was that of printing and advertising. Cr. Sinclair said he was only showing the necessity of publicity. A greater economy would be attained Ijy- no printing at all. Cr. Robinson moved an amendment that advertisements be put in the Express, but that printing be tendered for. Not half of the Council took the News, and if that was a criterion to go by, he presumed not half the ratepayers took it. He thought they ought to be obliged to the Clerk for making a bargain with Mr. Johnson. It was a delicate subject, but he felt it due to mention it, because the last speaker was always throwing out slurs against the Town Clerk. Cr. Sinclair wished the words taken down. The Mayor read a minute ordering him to got certain work printed, and explained that although he requested it, no motion was made as to whom he should employ, and therefore he used his own judgment. Cr. Hodson thought the amendment a very proper one. The printing ought to be done as low as possible, but advertisements in the News alone would be insufficient; he would like to see them in both papers, but motives of economy prevented that. If inserted in the Express, it would answer every purpose. The arrangement of the Clerk was very proper and commendable, as it was neither the fault of the Mayor or the Clerk that some permanent arrangement was not made. It was rather out of place to notice the conduct of the papers, but he would say that one of them had been ever hostile to this and every Board of a similar nature in the town. They never got any encouragement in the News, but they had seen a good deal in the Express, which he believed was taken by all the Council, and he had great pleasure in seconding the amendment. Cr. Sinclair said few cared to take both papers, and it was hard to compel people to take one for the sake of the advertisements. It would be an injustice to them, as the expense came out of their pockets. Cr. Hodson thought that the advertisements should either be tendered for, or go in both papers. He only subscribed to the Express himself. Cr. Hutcheson agreed with the last speaker, and thought that if the circulation of one paper was small, it would be a duty to help it on. [!] The Mayor pointed out that the arguments used were not exactly the thing. As to advertising in both papers, it did not require so much publicity as satisfying certain foims. As to the JEeics, he had ceased to take it, as it sometimes came out on Saturday night, and sometimes on Monday.—-Cr. Taylor: Sometimes Wednesday. Cr. Dodson : And sometimes not at all. The Mayor said he sent down to the store for his paper at 7 o’clock every Saturday morning, and he always found it there punctually. His principal argument was the extra circulation, the low price at which the advertisements had been put in, and the general punctuality. Cr. Sinclair called for a division, which resulted in the amendment being carried by 6to 3 Ayes—Crs. Robinson, Dodson, Noswortby, Farmar, Taylor, and tbe Mayor. Against—Crs. Sinclair, Hutcheson, and Hodson. Each of the latter gentlemen wished it to be understood that they were not opposed to the Express, and wished the word “only” added. + Byedaws —On the motion of Cr. Nosworthy, , the Council went into committee to consider what (part of the 13tli Schedule of the Act should he incorporated as part of the bye-laws of the town. Cr. Hutcheson in the chair. The Ma3'or moved the adoption in part 1, of subdivisions 1, refering to porticoes, verandahs, &c. ; 3, to spouts, and drains from houses ; 4, encroaching on the footpaths ; 5, depositing rubbish on streets ; S, encroaching on the streets ; 9, obstructing the streets with cattle, and allowing them to strayon unfeuced land within the town. This was withdrawn after debate, many Crs. being opposed to it. Subdivisions 1,3, 4,5, and 8 being passed, after which the Council resumed ; the chairman reported progress, and asked leave to sit again. Public I Vorks —Cr. Dodson reported that the Committee had examined the several works, prepared specifications, and moved their adoption. They were then read, and referred to works in High-street, and Market Place, Maxwell Road, Murray’s to Sinclair's bridge. Waiter-street, and Leeds Quay. Standing Order 53 was then suspended, to enable tenders to be considered next Thursday. The remaining business stands over till next meeting. Notices of motion were given by Cr. Dodson relative to Mr. Budge’s valuation ; Cr. Robinson to change night of meeting ; the Mayor I to open a banking account, and voting a. sum for contingencies ; and Cr. Sinclair to move that Mr. Douslin be Inspector of Works.

By telegram from the Bluff' we leiirii that Dr Featherston is a passenger by the Gothenburg, ami is expected to arrive here about the 27th instant. — lndependent.

Babbit Shooting.— The Kaikoura Herald says ;—“On Sunday fortnight a party of pleasure seekers paid Kaikoura a visit, and took for their domicile, the Caledonian Hotel, where we are sure they were well entertained, knowing the proprietors as we do. On the following morning three of the party consisting of Messrs. C. King, Walker, and Middleton, accoutred themselves with all necessaries, having for their guide Mr A. Gooch, started in pursuit of game—commonly known as silver grays,—arriving on the ground they encountered the enemy, and in the short space of three hours had bagged no less a number than 30 brace. Indeed we began rather to despair of having any game left for ourselves, and should not like again to hear of such formidable shots visiting the district, although it is stated that several parties are likely to be made up in Christchurch by sporting gents to deprive us of the only little amusements left us in Kaikoura. Mr. C. King, who knows some little of the district, together with Mr. Gooch would be excellent guide for strangers. Of course we do not need extermination to take place of what game has been so beneficial to the community.”