SOUTHBRIDGE AFFAIRS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3176, 13 December 1927, Page 5

SOUTHBRIDGE AFFAIRS

TOWN BOARD MEETING.

BOULDERS ON THE ROADS,

The monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board was held last evening, when the following members were present: Commissioners R, J. Parkin (chairman), J. H. Hampton, M. Hantz, J. Griffin, T. H. Bennett and M. Maw. An apology for absence was received from Cmr. W. Lowery. WATER RACES. The Ellesmere County Council wrote that a cut was continually being made in the water race near the public pound, which allowed the water to flow to the creek bed on the property of Harney's estate. There was a oneinch pipe at this point, which carried the quantity allowed. It was requested that steps should be taken to prevent tampering with the race. The request was referred to the chairman and the works committee for attention. - The Council further drew attention to another race which was in a bad condition, the water wasting in several places. It was left to the works committee to have the race cleaned, and to have pipes laid to prevent leakage. WORK ON THE ROADS. Cmr. Hampton, on behalf of the works committee, reported that Messrs Werner and Co's road roller and grader had been at work on some of the roads. With regard to the removal of the large boulders from the newlyshingled streets, the contractor had carted off those from one end of the town, but had declined to take them from the other end. The streets were now due for their annual clean-up before Christmas. The chairman said that the dayman had been employed to rake off the large stones left by the contractor in order that Werner's plant could commence work, and he had left them on the sides of the roads for the contractor to remove, but this had not yet been done. The dayman's account for this work would be charged to the contractor. It was stated that the contractor contended that he had not signed any contract for the shingling, and therefore could not be bound by any conditions. Cmr. Griffin expressed surprise at such loose methods being followed as to allow an important undertaking to be commenced without the successful tenderer being required to sign a contract. The contractor's letter tendering for , the work was produced, and it was clearly stated therein that the shingling was to be done according to the specifications, which the contractor had read. This was taken as prooi that the contractor understood the conditions before commencing the work.

The Board decided to maintain the stand it had originally taken, and it was agreed that the chairman and the Works committee should interview the contractor and explain that the Board would not pay for the work until it was completed to its satisfaction. It was agreed that the streets should be cleaned up as in previous years. The chairman offered the use of a horse and dray. It was resolved to have a race which the chairman said was overflowing a footpath attended to at the same time.

PENALTY ON RATES. A resolution was passed deciding to enforce payment of the ten per cent, penalty on all rates unpaid after January 14 next.

OVERDUE HALL RENTS. The chairman of the hall committee, Cmr. J. Griffin, stated that there was a considerable sum outstanding in rents from the hall. There had been a number of breakages of equipment from time to time, but these had not been reported and charged for, with the result that they would be a loss to the Board. Tho chairman considered that in the case-of breakages the caretaker should be responsible for keeping check. It was agreed that the hall commit tee should take possession of the hall accounts and endeavour to collect the amounts owing. THE SWIMMING POOL. The Board's position with regard to the swimming pool was referred to. The Board took the attitude that the persons using the bath should pay for its maintenance, though it did not ex-