BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7216, 29 November 1888, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

' SYDENHAM. An ordinary meeting of this Council was held last evening. There were present —Cr. Forrester, (acting Mayor), and Crs. Gledhill, Booth,T. E.Taylor, Muffett and R. M. Taylor. Apologies for the absence of Crs. White and Jacques were received and accepted. A petition, signed by Mr W. J. Rudd and twelve other householders in Hutcheson street, was received, asking that the footpaths, in Hutcheson street be asphalted now that, the season was favorable. Cr. Bowden, Chairman of the Works Committee, pointed out that the street was on the list with others to be asphalted during the summer months. A letter was read from J. H. Hewitt, asking that the concrete channelling in Hazeldean rood be carried out. From W. A. Judge and thirteen others, petitioning the Council to asphalt the footpath on the western side of Wilson's road, leading to the railway station. It was stated that the work referred to would be done this season. From the Public Works Department, Wellington, stating that as there did not seem to, be any probability of the Council and the Selwyn County Council agreeing as to what proportion of the cost of maintaining Wilson's bridge each should bear, his Excellency the Governor had appointed Mr C. Whitefoord, R.M.., as a Commissioner, to hold an Inquiry iuto the matter and report. The Chairman of the Works Committee, the Town Clerk, and Foreman of Works, were appointed to represent the Council at the enquiry. From the Spreydon Road Board stating they wished the Council to distinctly undcistand that they would not contribute towards the widening of Jerrold street, and desired a straight answer with prevarication or equivocation as to whether the Council would proceed without delay to regrade Jerrold street, and form a footpath on the district side of the street, upon the Board undertaking to pay the whole cost of the path, and half the cost of regrading the road. It was decided that the letter lie on the table, it being considered that the tone of the letter was uncalled for.

The Works Committee reported tbat they had obtained permission of the Drainage Board to put a culvert, one brick in thickness, in Jackson's creek, at Ward street, but as the Board required the Council to take the responsibility of its maintenance in good order, and as the work could not be done for the amount voted for it by the Council, the Committee could not recommend that the work be proceeded wich> and proposed to erect a fence of rough posts and two rails to fence off the creek from the street. The Committee recommended that the west side of Crescent road at Harman's corner, from St. Leonards street to the east side of Strickland street, be concrete channelled ; also that the footpath in Hyde Garden street be asphalted. It was recommended that the tender sf Mr W. Anderson, of Kaiapoi. for the supply of dog collars, be accepted. Cr Booth moved, and Cr. T. E. Taylor seconded—" That clause 1 be held over until Cr. White had an opportunity of expressing his opinion on the- matter. This was lost on a division, and the report as a whole was adopted, Crs. Booth and T. E. Taylor dissenting. The Finance Committee reported that the receipts since last meeting bad been £454 ls lOd, and recommended that accounts to the amount of £174 10s Id be passed for payment. The report was adopted. The report of the Cemetery Committee was submitted to the Council and considered. The report and tbe decision arrived at upon it are published elsewhere. On the motion of Cr T. E. Taylor, a deputation was appointed to wait upon the Gas Company, and endeavor to arrange for a redaction in the rate for supplying gas for the public lamps, the deputation to consist of Cr. Forrester, the Town Clerk, and the mover. Cr. T. E. Taylor brought forward the ?uestion of negotiating with the Fire hsurance Association and tbe City Council with a view to obtaining the services of the Fire Brigade for fires in the borough. He stated that it was contemplated to raise the rates of insurance in the borough by 25 per cent, unless a system of fire prevention was adopted. Cr. Booth said the Railway Fire Brigade intended to hold a trial to ascertain bow much of the borough could be covered with their engine, stationed at the tank at its shed. After a desultory discussion the matter dropped. The Council after transacting some routine business then adjourned.