Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 194, 18 September 1869, Page 3

Blenheim Borough Council.

An ordinary meeting was held on Thursday evening, The Mayor was in the chair, and all the Councillors were present, except Or. Hodsou. The minutes of last meeting having been confirmed, letters were read from his Honor the Superintendent, stating that he was willing to hand over to the Council the wharfs already existing, subject to Clause 33 of the Marine Act, and would permit alterations on condition that they Collected dues for goods landed on the wharfs themselves ; respecting ownership of certain sections ; from the Collector, asking for power to sue for rates ; from the Town Clerk, reporting the result of the recent appeal cases; and accounts from Messrs. Litchfield, Collie, Compton, and Johnson. He further stated that there was a sum to the credit of the Council of £196 14s.

Non-payment of Rates. Cr. SincLir urged that no steps be taken until next meeting, and moved a resolution to that effect. The Mayor would not proceed hastily, except in cases where persons refused to pay. Cr. Hutcheson thought it wise to defer proceedings, except in cases where persons were unwilling to pay, and suggested an amendment. Cr. Dodson moved that power be given to sue, as several persons had expressed a determination not to pay ; he would not sue indiscriminately without reference to the Mayor or Town Clerk, nor within the next fortnight. He wished the question settled at once, as some persons thought that some of the larger ratepayers would escape by some means, and wished to wait and see. Cr. Nos worthy seconded, because sooner or later he felt it would have to be done to pay their debts. It was a matter of notoriety, that several persons said they would never pay. Cr. Sinclair would proceed against all defaulters alike, but would not put the power in the hands of the Collector, or place the Mayor in an invidious position. Cr. .Robinson said the Collector had a right to sue anyone who refused to pay. There had been a deal said about poor men, and he should like some consideration shown to the contractors, who wanted paying for their work. Cr. Dodson thought the difficulty of selection should be left to the Collector. To sue indiscriminately would be like a man in business suing all who owed him anything. On a division there was, for the amendment —Ayes 6 : The Mayor, Crs. Taylor, Robinson, Nosworthy, Dodson, and Farmar. Noes, 2: Crs. Sinclair and Hutcheson. The Wharfs. —With reference to the Superintendent’s letter, the Mayor explained that clause 33 referred to all plans of construction being submitted to the Superintendent. Cr. Sinclair moved the adoption of the letter. Cr. Dodson thought the letter rather vague, referring to the words “ wharfs themselves” ; if this would permit private wharfs to be erected, he doubted whether the offer was worth acceptance. Cr. Robinson understood the letter to apply only to the existing wooden structures ; that vessels might land goods elsewhere; persons might also erect private wharfs ; and thought the grant ought to include all the reserves. Cr. Sinclair said the letter was

not explicit, nor what he would wish, but it was the thin end of the wedge, and they would get them in time from the General Assembly, if not from the Provincial Government. Or. Robinson moved that a deputation consisting of the Mayor, Ors. Dodson, Farmar, Sinclair, and the mover, wait upon the Government. Or. Dodson seconded, as he was about to erect a wharf himself, and would like to know what position he would be

iii; he could not but think what was meant was to convey the whole of the powers. Burgess Roll. —ln reply to a remark made by Cr. Sinclair, the Mayor explained that the Valuer had omitted a few names from his list; and that the Town Clerk had nothing whatever to do with it. The omissions were afterwards placed

on the Eate List by the Council, but the time had meantime lapsed when they could be put on the roll

Accounts. —The following acconnts were passed ;—For Corporation Seal, the charge for which was considered exorbitant; Fees for Poll Clerk, and salary of Town Clerk and Valuer; Wall, Jeffreys and Co., and Fitzgerald for repairs to Collie’a Bridge, Alfred-street and Grove Road ; Collie. On Johnson, account for printing, binding, and advertising in the Express, being named, Cr. Hutcheson requested the particulars to be read, which were discussed Cr. Hutcheson wanted to know if there was none for the News. The Mayor said there was an account owing, but had not been sent in. Mr. Johnson’s account was passed, and Cr. Sinclair wished added, as well as any little trifle owing to the News. Cr. Nosworthy thought all accounts ought to be sent in and passed by the Council before being paid. Cr. Dodson moved that the amounts due to certain creditors of the Blenheim Board of Work be paid, in accordance with a recent motion of the Council, namely, one-half ; and that the rates due by any such persons be deducted from their accounts. Carried. The Mayor, Crs. Nosworthy, Hutcheson, Robinson, and Taylor were appointed to draw cheques in conjunction with the Town Clerk. Bye-Laws. —Cr. Nosworthy moved the adoption of certain bye-laws, passed in committee at the last meeting of the Council. The Mayor, Crs. Dodson, and Nosworthy were appointed a committee to consider and report upon the Byelaws, to report at the sitting after next. A motion for repairing Alfred-street, was withdrawn on account of the smallness of means, f" Nesefves. —Cr. Nosworthy moved that the ’Mayor apply to Mr. Fell for a conveyance of the fee-simple of all reserves made by him in the town of Blenheim. He said that these reserves had been made by Mr. Fell for the use of the town, and considered they ought to be conveyed in trust to the governing body. Cr. Dodson seconded, and the motion passed. Dedication of Streets.— Cr. Nosworthy moved a similar motion in reference to the streets and roads. He said the same remarks applied to this motion as the last. Cr. Robinson seconded. Cr. Dodson did not see the necessity,for this motion. Mr. Fell could not,'if he wished, stop or interfere with any of the streets in which properties had been purchased with frontages to them. Cr. Sinclair quite agreed with the last speaker. As to the reserves, with the exception of the one on which the Institute stands, all had been conveyed to the Superintendent of Nelson before Separation. Or.'RobinSoh had heard Mr. Moffitt say that an enquiry had shown that there was no such deed in existence at Nelson. Referring to certain parts of the town where streets had been fenced in, Ho wished to know how the’ease stood

with them. Cr. Dodson said streets laid out could not afterwards be altered, except where no plan existed ; such was the case in respect to the instances named as to Mr Budge. Mr. Bomford had made a plan and sold by it, and he did not think in that case he could not close any street on it. When Mr. Adams was Superintendent, he had stated with respect to Grove Bold, that those who had bought laud fronting to a road could insist on its being kept open. The motion was then withdrawn.

Re-Valuation. —Cr. Dodson moved a reconsideration of Mr Budge’s valuation. Hie case was one of hardship ; the land had been leased at .£l5O, but had become so depreciated that he would let it for £7O, which ho would move should be the value. It was true that the application was late, but as they were initiating a new.institution, they should not be too exact. Cr. Sinclair seconded the motion, as he knew the amount named was the extreme value. The Mayor thought it would be a bad precedent, and another year the same thing might occur again ; persons ought to comply in proper time. Cr. Ilobinsou considered the time had gone by, and that no great hardship had been done to Mr. Budge. They were bound to go on this year, but would consider it next. Cr. Hutcheson held similar opinions ; he did not see why they should make fish of one and flesh of another. Cr Nosworthy was prepared to make an allowance next year. Cr. Dodson, in reply, said he was surprised to hear the arguments used, and thought the Council should not allow the bugbear of precedent to frighten it from doing an act of j ustice. As to the rate having been spent, £3'los, could not make much difference ; what they intended as arguments were not such ; he urged them to do what was right, and fear nothing, and besought them to do an act of justice. On a division, the Ayes were 3—Crs. Dodson, Farmar, and Sinclair ; and the Noes s—Crs. Eobinson, Tailor, Hutcheson, Nosworthy, and the Mayor. On the motion of Cr. Robinson, it was resolved to meet after the beginning of October, on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, at halfpast seven o’clock.