Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 205, 27 November 1869, Page 4

Blenheim Borough Council.

An ordinary meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday evening last. Present:— The Mayor in the chairCrs. Robinson, Hutcheson, Hodson, Farmar, and Nosworthy. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, letters were read from Mr. Pitt, Solicitor, claiming, on be-

half of Mr. Sinclair, the balance of costs in the appeal case, Bagge v. Sinclair, together with interest on the same. Also from Mr, Compton, requesting the Council to lease or let a portion of reserved land behind his allotment in Maxwell Road. Bagge v. Sinclair. —Cr. Robinson said he could not help expressing surprise at this matter cropping up again so often, and should move that the letter be disregaz'ded. Cr. Nos wort hy seconded the motion, remarking that the Council could not stultify itself by entex’ing again upon the consideration of the subject after deciding upon it so recently. Cz*. Sinclair did not mean to vote on the motion, but could not help speaking in explanation. He thought the pz-actice of repudiation now springing zzp in the Council, while not bindizzg on those outside, was setting a bad example. He wished them to consider the matter befoz*e he took the next step, which would add £ll or £l2 more of expenses. He had no wish to press hard upon another official outside, but he must protect himself, and after the contumelious way in which his former letter was disz*egarded, he should have no alternative but to pz-oceed to recover it in the best way he could. He asked that the evidence of the Town Clerk should be taken as to what had come to his knowledge that day. The motion that the letter be disregarded was carried on the voices. Use q£ Reserve.— The Mayor explained that "Sir. Compton's letter was seeking the liberty to use a narrow strip of land at the back of and contagious to his section, about twelve feet wide, which formed paz't of a reserve set apart for a drain. Cr. Sinclair said the reserve had been created for the purpose ot a dz-ain, but which was not now required. It would need an Act of Parliament to convey it; the Council had not the power to let or lease it, but he did not think anyone would disturb him in the matter if he used it. At present he did not see what use the Council could put it to, as it was unsuitable tor the use it was intended foz*. He would move that the letter be disregarded. Cr. Nosworthy said the reserve was at pz*esent unfenced, and lay between the land of the applicant and that of another pez-son. He wozzld move as an amendment, that until the Council had power to let or lease it, ajzplicant should have leave given to make use of it. Cr. Robinson would let him have it on the payment Ul (I unit; auAiiuwicugcmcui;, \yj , Hodson did not see how they could deal with it except foi the purposes of a dz*ain, azzd wished to know it it was fenced in. [Mr. Kennedy said it was included within his fence.] Cz*. Robinson objected to any question being put or replied to by any person outside the Council, as a question of ordez*. He should suppoz’t the amendment, the moz*e readily as Ize noticed that at Nelson persons applied for and got permission to fence in portions of road for the purpose of gi’owing a qzzick hedge. He saw no harm that could ensue wez*e the application granted. Cz*. Hutcheson was afraid it would raise ill-feeling, and would prefer that the letter be disregaz-ded. He moved that the Council refuse to entertain the application. Cz*. Sinclair seconded, pz*eferring to let matters remain as they were. On being put, the Mayor declared the amendment caz*ried, and called on the next business. Cz*. Nosworthy asked how he had ruled on the last motion 1 The Mayor said the ayes had it. Cz*. Nosworthy called for a division, but was informed that he was too late.

f Bomford'a Bank. —The Mayor produced a draft of lease of a piece of land on which the bank stands. Cr. Sinclair would oppose the road being narrowed where the bank crossed it as proposed to 12 feist, as two carts would not be able to pass. It would be better to widen it to 14 dr 15 feet ; and if this view was taken by the Council, he thought it would not be well to open the present tenders, but call for fresh ones. Until the lease was Signed, they had not power to carry out the work, and before that was done there were some portions which heeded consideration. The work might be in two or three portions, as there were natural divisions. Cr. Farmar thought it would not be necessary to raise the road so great a distance as laid down in the specification. Cr. Sinclair would carry out the work by degrees, dividing it into sections, as the whole was a work of some magnitude. He could not answer for Mr. Bomford, but he was so much interested that he would be content to have it done that way, and could not expect them to do impossibilities. Cr. Robinson pointed out that by the lease they were bound to make the whole of the bank and road. He thought they should not be in too great haste about signing it. Cr. Sinclair agreed

•with, what the last speaker said, and thought they could not be too careful. He would move that the specification be referred back to the Committee, and brought up next meeting, and that the lease be referred to their solicitor, Cr. Robinson pointed out that the lease required further that they should keep the road for 25 chains in good repair, which road did not belong to the Council, but to the Lower Wairau. He further wished to know who had drawn up the lease. The Mayor said Mr, Nelson had. Cr. Robinson said he would like to know whose lawyer Mr, Nelson was—Mr, Romford’s or the Council’s 1 Cr. Hutcheson spoke to like effect, and thought they could not be too careful. The motion was then passed. New Bye-Laws. —Or. Nosworthy moved that the Council should at its meeting on December 18 th consider certain byelaws relative to porticoes crossing footpaths, depositing shavings near buildings, cleanliness of slaughter-houses, pedlars and hawkers to be licensed, <kc. Cr. Robinson objected to some of the bye-laws spoken of, end on his motion the debate was adjourned till next sitting.