SYDENHAM.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7738, 18 December 1890, Page 3

SYDENHAM.

The installation of Mr G. T. Booth as Mayor of the boroughof Sydenham for the ensuing year was held at noon yesterday. There were present—The Mayor elect, and Cru. B. M. Taylor, W. Whiter J. T. Brown, J. Hopper, and W, Langdown, Apologies for the absence of Ors. GledhiU» Rudd,. Jacques and. Smith were received and a ccepced. A notification was received from "the Colonial Secretary's Office of the election of Mr G. T. Booth as Mayor. The Mayor elect said it was customary on Such occasions for the. Mayor bo make a roview of the work done by the Council daring his period of office. That might Dβ a desirable custom when there was anything' worth: reporting, or when' any * experimental work had been carried oat, but there had been very ; little of that kind done, and therefore ■it was not worth while ~;refreshing their minds by going over the routine work of the Council, fie would therefore confine himself to one or two special points. It would be in the recollection of Councillors that a conference was held in May last year, under the auspices of the City Council with a view to bringing; about an amalgamation of the suburbs and city. The proposals were, after discussion, dropped, and the then Mayor announced he would take no further action in the matter, but it was possible that the new Mayor might do so. He (the speaker) did not-think the matter had received the full consideration it deserved With all deference to those who brought it forward,' he did not think fche proposal was engineered as skilfully • and carefully as it should have been, otherwise the * amalgamation - might have been more .clearly shown, and the subject differently* dealt with; He thought there was more in amalgamation than some persons seemed to think. Hβ had been one to show <. reasons against it with a view to having the matter cleared, and his action in so doing was'taken as being opposed to the proposal, and consequently the objections;.»were never met. Personally h© did not think it received consideration as it ought to have had, and that there were: more advantages than disadvantages in "favor of amalgamation. He thought the time would come when it would again be coneidered. There were several matters which showed that amalgamation was necessary, such as regulations for the sale of milk, semov&lof£)igh&eoil,fire insurance, and water supply for flushing the streets, and fire prevencion purposes. The Sydenham Council should in the meantime make' some provision for flashing, the streets of the borough and fire prevention purposes, and if possible carry out a scheme that would be suitable for the borough so lung as it remained separate and could be worked in with a general system of water supply in the event of amalgamation taking place. There was the. .matter of a swimming bath closely connected with a water supply, and he Hoped that the necessary amount, would be forthcoming to supplement that offered by the Council foTjthe construction of the bath. Iα conclusion he thanked Councillors for .the uniform courtesy he had received from them, and the officers for fcbejr assistance rendered Him. He had endeavored to carry out the defies of his office an efficiently as he was able, and he believed his actions had met with the approval of the Councillors.. (Hear, hear.) He then made the usual declaration. ..... <3rs., Lajmsdown, Taxlor and White the Mayor on his re-election to the office for the ensuing year, and the proceedings then terminated.