SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Press, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5365, 5 December 1882, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this body was held, last evening at seven o'clock. Present—His Worship the Mayor .and all the councillors. ■

A notification \>f the election of Mayor for 1882-83, from the returning officer, wae read and received.

Letters. were read—From the East and West Coast Railway League, asking the ■mrnymmn '.total contributions the. Council or residents might be prepared .to guarantee [towards the funds of the League. • It was agreed that Cr. Pavitt take the matter in hand, and report on December 18th to the Council.

From the Deputy Property Tax Commissioner, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter stating that it had a dopted the Bating Act, 1832 ; also from the Christchurch Board of Health, stating that in future the requisite ar* rangements re reporting infectious diseases; in the -borough to the master of the Borough School would be perfected. A letter from Mr Jacobs, denying that his fence encroached on Colombo street, was referred to the works committee; and a complaint from Mr F. HitobJngs, that the Loan .and Mercantile Agency Company monopolised the railway crossing at Durham street, was referred to the Public Works Department. - ; . The clerk to the Sydenham Licensing Bench wrote, calling attention .to the provisions of the Act for the appointment of a returning officer for the election of the Sydenham Licensing Committee. His -Worshii> the Mayor thought the Council ought to pay Mr W. G. Walker the salary accruing to him as clerk to the Licensing Bench. A long desultory discussion ensued, in which some very original ideas were broached, and it was ultimately agreed that a solicitor be consulted as to the Council's liability in the matter, and the election of the returning • officer was postponed for a fortnight. Mr H. Allison, returning officer for the South Waimakariri Board of Conservators election, wrote asking that Mr C. Allison be allowed to act as returning officer on the occasion of the ensuing- election, and that tha Borough Council Chambers be used as the polling booth. The request was granted. A letter from a Mr Ashley respectingGordon street was next read, and it was agreed—" That a copy of the clause of the Act by which the Gordon street property was acquired be sent to Mr Ashley, and if he be not satisfied that a legal opinion be obtained/ .. ' The -work 3 committee's report stated that the tender of Mr Moore,,.of Kaiapoi, for the supply of dog collars had been aocepted ; that a satisfactory tender had been accepted for the lease of the 345 acres of endowment reserve for fourteen years; and also some routine matters. The report was adopted. The fire committee reported that they had held two meetings, at which they had considered the question of the best means to be taken for the prevention of fire within the borough. They had also taken the advice of Mr Superintendent Harris of the Christchnrch Fire Brigade, and several other gentlemen on the question, but in consequence of the Fire Insurance Companies having stated their inability to contribute to the support of a fire brigade for Sydenham till the end of their present financial year, viz., the 31st March, 1883, the committee cannot recommend that any further steps be taken in the matter until after that time. Agreed to. The finance committee reported the receipts for the past fortnight to be J&464 Sβ 4d ; expenditure, £94 2a; credit balance, .£BSO 106 3d. The committee recommended that all outstanding drainage rates be sued for. The report was adopted. A resolution of Cγ. Andrew's, to rescind the resolution that no business be taken after 10 o'clock, was lost by 6 to 4. After some routine business, the Council adjourned. • The speaker had failed to awaken, a very deep interest in his hearers, but when the; small boy had stolen quietly out after leaving red pepper on the store there wasn't a dry eye in the house. 'What is the moon good for?' asked the teacher; -* what are iteprincipal uses ?* And the smart bad boy looked up from-the foot of the class and said— * To rest the gaa companies/ ' ■ -