SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this body was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and all the Councillors except Cr. Forrester. The following correspondence was read:—A letter asking the Council's patronage on the occasion of the Druids' torchlight procession, on the evening of August 25th, was referred to the Mayor. The following letters were received—From the Drainage Board, accepting the Council's offer to e_loot the drainage rate at 7. per oent. From Mr J. Sherlock re nuisance on his premises, stating that it would have been remedied had weather permitted. From the Colonial Secretary's Office, acknowledging receipt of the Council's letters re Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill. The following were referred to the works committee, with power to act—From Mr C. H. Bayman, complaining of a defective culvert in Selwyn street. From Mr B. Belgrave, calling attention to nuisances in Montreal and Ward streets. From the Riccarton Road Board, requesting the Council to clear the rubbish from and repair the north-west side of Lincoln road. The following letters were received with thanks—From the Hon. E. Bichardson, M.H.8., in reply, stating he would "give due weight to the somewhat altered view of the figures connected with the question of hospital and charitable aid as it applies to Sydenham." From the secretary to the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, forwarding statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended June 30th, 1881. From the Colonial Secretary's Office, in reply to a communication of the Council which requested that the Government would instruct Registrars of Deeds, so that the provisions of sec. 24 of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1878 might not be evaded by persons whose properties abut on new private streets. The reply stated that the District Land Begistrar was not aware of any case in his offioe to which the remarks of the Council's letter could apply. Certainly they did not in the case to which attention had been specially drawn. Mr G. Murdoch, South Bakaia, wrote, asking the Council to join him in the oost of erecting a fence between their reserve and that of theß—igisra borough reserve, of which he is the lessee. The town cltrk was instructed to reply that the Council were about letting the reserve, and till then the question of fenoing must remain in abeyance. Cr. Hall reported that the tramway deed of concession had been compared with the draft, and found correct, and it was resolved that the draft be returned to Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw. The finance committee's report, which showed the fortnight's receipts to be £210 13s, expenditure £240 6s Id, and credit balanoe in bank £693 4s, was received and adopted. The works committee reported that Mr Suddenklau had complied with the Council's regulations in constructing a private street in R S. 72, and recommended his application for the Council to take over the same, whioh will be known as Spohr street, be acceded to. That certain damage to the newly formed roadway on the East belt, caused by the contractor pumping water from the drainage works thereon, had been reported to the Drainage Board, with a request to repair same. That Mr Harding's claim for compensation, for damage to his horse and cart oh the East belt, be met by a reply that the Council ia not liable in the matter. The report waß received and adopted. The Council then adjourned.