SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5578, 8 January 1879, Page 6

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held at 7 crclock last evening 5 present —His Worship the Mayor and Councillors White, Jones, Foster, Pavitt, and Charters. C HABITABLE AID, &C, The Colonial Secretary inclosed copy of a letter addressed by Colonel Whitmore to the Chairman of the Temporary Board of Management of the Hospital and Charitable Aid at Christchurch, in which he embodied the views and wishes of the Government os to the mode in which hospital maintenance and the distribution of charitable aid should be managed for the future in the district. Colonel Whitmore earnestly hoped that the Council would co-operate with the other local bodies interested, and nominate a representative to the proposed new Board of Management ; also, that the Council would join in K dding the necessary funds for meeting the expenditure. The Mayor thought that a due consideration of the question would almost require a special meeting. It was suggested that the matter should be reverted to at a later stage. The circular inclosed was read, showing how Government had been guided in allocating the cost of maintenance of the Hospital, &c., and the Mayor further the matter, which raised the question whether the Council would, as a body, pay out of the rates the amount of contributions, and get the whole amount of their subsidy. The Mayor thought this the preferable mode of acting, as then they knew exactly what they were paying. Those institutions which paid their own cost got the whole of the subsidy allowed. The Council could think over the matter, and express an opinion in appointing a representative, HAP OF THE BOBOTJGH. Messrs Dobson and Sons notified the Council that they had prepared copies of the Crown Grant plans of the whole of the Borough, and also copies of all the subdivision plans at the Land Transfer Office, prom these materials they had plotted a new map in a very satisfactory manner, with the exception of some points at which the discrepancies between the plans could only be satisfactorily adjusted by careful re-survoy on the ground. The writers were about to make, at their own expense, the re-surveys necessary. Accordingly, they tmted that m the event of ft few days’ delay they would bo

met by the Council in the same spirit >ln which they were Carrying out thocontraet, The Mayor remarked that the point at Harman’s corner was not mentioned. Councillor Charters thought this was included in the various discrepancies referred to. The letter was referred to the Works Committee. RENT OF COUNCIL'S LAND. Mr S. Boyle, Bangiora, wrote agreeing to pay £45 per* year rent for the land hold by the Council, the payments to be made halfyearly. The extent of land mentioned was 1200 acres. The question as to the length of term for which the iand was to bo lot being raised, the previous correspondence was referred to. It was resolved that the letter bo received, going’s boad. Mr Hutcheson complained that remarks made by some of the members relative to the Surchaso of land from him for widening oing’s road were unjust and ungenerous towards him, and misleading to the public. He did not wish to sell his land, and considered he would be a loser by parting with it to the Council. He now withdrew his offer. The writer referred to the entirety and seclusion of his little homestead, and to the injury which would necessarily be done thereto by alienating any portion. It was resolved that the letter be received. The Mayor here called attention to the desirability of every member voting on questions before them. DELBGATB TO CONFBBENCB. Mr H. Thomson, os Chairman of the Hospital Board, notified the Council of the conference to be held at 10.30 on Friday morning at the Provincial Council Chambers, and requested the Council to take the necessary steps to have the municipality represented. Consideration was deferred. LAND TAX, Mr C. F. Barker, Government Valuer, wrote for information re laud held by the Council, and inclosed forms to be filled up. It was resolved that Councillor Charters and the Town Clerk be requested to supply the required information. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Councillor J. R. Andrews wrote requesting leave of absence for the evening, which was granted. THE SOUTH BELT. Mr H. V. Anson wrote, with reference to the unsatisfactory state of the South Belt. He complained that by the action of the City Council the whole question of abating the nuisance was once more entirely evaded, and that such nuisance was getting worse every day. He wished to know if there was a chance of the path being lowered to its proper level before the winter, as he wanted to put a culvert down. He thought a portion of the rates should be refunded by an improvement in the drainage. Councillor Charters thought it was imperative some steps should ba taken. The Mayor said the City Council had ignored the resolution arrived at when a conference was held. It was understood that this Council would be informed what proportion of cost they would have to bear if the work in question was carried out The City Council could of course carry out the work, and then come upon the Borough Council for some proportion, but such a course would be deprecated. After some conversation it was resolved that the Clerk be requested to reply to Mr Anson’s letter, referring him to the Local Board of Health, the Borough Council having no jurisdiction. The Mayor remarked that the City Surveyor had given an estimate for channelling on the South Belt at £Blos per chain, whereas this Council had found the cost of the channelling in Colombo road to be under £6 10s per chain. The subject was allowed to drop. LINCOLN BOAD. The Chairman of the Riccarton Road Board forwarded a copy of a resolution as follows: “ That this Board is of opinion that the Sydenham Borough Council is causing unnecessary inconvenience to the ratepayers of this district on the north-west side of the Lincoln road by works carried out with such delay, and recommend immediate relief. The letter was referred to the Works Committee. FIBE PREVENTION. OoußoiUor Oiioirborci} ao OUaU'UilUl uf tilt? Fire Prevention Committee, said that no report had as yet been prepared. DISPUTED BOADWAT. The Mayor referred to the question of the disputed roadway parallel with the line of railway. He and Councillor Charters had an interview with Mr Duncan, and found there were many points which that gentleman had never been informed of. He had promised to give the question his careful attention, and appeared to be disposed to recommend the Government to accept the proposal made by the Council. It was resolved that the Mayor’s report on the subject be received. GASWOEKS BOAD. Councillor Charters gave an interim report relative to the purchase of land fronting on the Gasworks rood from Mr P. Cunningham. He could not now enter into detail, the matter being as yet in abeyance. CHABITABLB FUND. The Mayor reported that he had expended but little more than £3 out of the charitable fund. He did not intend relieving any but urgent cases from the fund, so that there would be a large amount available during the winter, and he should make a practice of personally visiting all cases. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Chairman of the Works Committee reported as follows; 1. I have the honour to report that the work of scavengering throughout the Borough has been attended to during the past, fortnight, in addition to which the work of laying down the concrete channel on the east side of Colombo road has been completed. 2. The ditch on east side of Wilson’s road, lately complained of by the local Board of Health, has been deepened by the labour gang to as great a depth as a due regard to the safety of pasaers-by will admit.” The report was received and adopted. FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported receipts for the fortnight £315 2s7d, and payments £659 5s 7d. After paving accounts the credit balance would be £2706 7s fid. There were rates uncollected amounting to £269, and summonses were now being issued. The report was received and adopted. BANITABT. The Sanitary Committee recommended the invitation of tenders for the supply of closet pans and for the removal of nightsoil and rubbish. A thorough inspection of the district was also recommended. Councillor Charters hoped the specification would provide that the rubbish should not be deposited within, the borough. The Mayor called the attention of the Committee to the defective drainage in a portion of Durham street. The report was received and adopted. dog collars. Messrs Dean Brothers submitted specimens of dog collars made by them. Councillor White explained that the Works Committee had objected to some collars previously gent in, and that in consequence the matter now came before the Council. The matter was relegated to the Works Committee. Mr Dean said there was as yet no contract with the Council, Ho had intended to use copper for the labels, but not bek gable to Srocure any, proposed to substitute brass, [r Dean then retired, LOWERING THE LINCOLN BOAD. Mr Wm. Mayno, the contractor for lowering the Lincoln road, waited upon the Counciland complained that ho haa been led into a serious error by the figures supplied to him in the first instance by the clerk. Ho found that the average depth of cutting was 101 instead of 7i inches, and as he had founded his calculations upon 7i inches, he would be placed in a very awkward position. He desired to obtain £SO in excess of the amount of his tender. Councillor White explained that the contractor casually asked the surveyor what quantity there was, and was told at the

moment 7i inches. Subsequently ;th« contract plans, specifications, «o. were sighed, and the Works Committee thought it wae for the contractor to have satisfied himself os to whet ho was signing. They did not guarantee to give any one quantities, nor were they supposed to do so. Had this question hern raised before the work was commenced, the case would have been different. Councillor Charter* thought it would bo a very dangerous precedent for them to annul the contract. He would prefer that the question be left for a full meeting of the Council. The Mayor pointed out that this was a particularly awkward case, since another body, the Riccarton Road Board, was interested, and it would bo remembered that a letter from the Board bad been read bearing on this work. Mr Mayne further addressed the Council, and then retired. The Council went into Commiteo. On resuming, progress was reported, and a resolution was adopted that the Clerk bo instructed to inform Mr Mayne that the Council cannot entertain his claim re his contract. Mr Mayno was re-admitted, and the Mayer suggested that he should go on with his contract. If, on its completion, ho found he made no profit, or bad lost, then he could fairly submit the matter to arbitration, and the Council could legally deal with the matter of a further payment; With reference to the figures which had been mentioned m the first instance, Mr Mayne had no right to ask for them, and the Clerk had no right to rive them; and the Council could not be bound by a mistake so made. He (the Mayor) thought Mr Maine’s wiser course would be to proceed as quickly and economically as he could with his work. Mr Mayne, who could not see the matter in that light then left. BY-LAWS, The By-law Committee reported having prepared draft of a by-law, No. 2, referring to streets, including verandahs, porticos, crossings, bridges, naming of streets, numbering of houses, drains, bathing, &b. They had carefully perused the Christchurch by-law on the same subject, and had made necessary amendments and alterations. A great deal of time had been expended on this subject. The committee had in view other matters which would have their immediate attention,, and by-laws would be drafted accordingly. The report as read was adopted. Councillor Charters urged that the By-law Committee should pay immediate attention to the subject of legislation on the nuisance created by the deposit of rubbish, a matter which had been spoken of on several previous occasions. DELEGATION TO CONFERENCE. It was resolved,—“ That His Worship the Mayor and Councillor Charters be appointed to represent the Council at the Conference on Friday morning re Hospital and Charitable Aid management. clock Job council chambkb. On the motion of Councillor Charters it was resolved that the Clerk be authorised to obtain a clock for the Council, at a cost not exceeding £3. The Council then adjourned.