Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 189, 14 August 1869, Page 5

Blenheim Borough Council.

The Council met on Friday evening last, when were present the Mayor, Councillors Robinson, Sinclair, Hutcheson, Hodson, Nos worthy, Dodson, Taylor and 1 armar.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and copies of letters sent to various persons, infoi ruing them of the alterations in the valuations of their properties ; also notices of intention to appeal from others.

Or. (Sinclair moved that a petition be sent to the Legislature, praying that the proceeds of publicans licenses, and the letting of wharfs should be granted to the Council ; and that the town be divided into three wards. He said that his remarks were only suggestions, nor was he wedded to them, but would advocate that all local revenue should be locally spent. He complained of the heavy taxes we pay, but advised perseverance to attain the end sought by his motion ; and alluding to the heavy Colonial expenditure, said we could expect nothing from the Government. Or. Dodson- seconded the motion pro foTTYici, He objected to the motion as it stood at present. The publicans’ licenses belonged to the Borough, but he supposed they would have to apply to the Provincial Council first. He objected to a division of the town into wards at present, until he possessed fuller information. Cr. Sinclair, in reply, said he threw this out as suggestions to be worked out in detail by the Council. The Mayor agreed with Cr. Dodson, that the Corporation should have the proceeds of the licenses and the wharfs, but that the time had not arrived for claiming them.

Upon a division, there were 7 for and 1 against the motion. Or. Sinclair moved a resolution relative to finding a seat for the Town Clerk apart from the Mayor. He expressed a hope that no personal feeling would be imputed to him in moving the resolution ; but he considered that the Clerk was Clerk to the Council, and not the Mayor’s Clerk, and wished permission to withdraw the motion. Cr. Robinson objected to its being withdrawn, considering that it had better be settled at once, otherwise it would keep cropping up. Cr. Dodson expressed his regret that such a motion should ever have been brought before the Council. Cr. Nosworthy would also oppose the motion being withdrawn. The present seat of the Town Clerk was most eligible.

Cr. Sinclair replied. He thought the Clerk ought to be accessible to all the Council, his friend with the white beard as well as the Mayor, and would object to be a member of a Council where all were not placed on an equality, but disclaimed any personal feeling in the matter, merely wishing to make the Clerk accessible to all.

The motion was put and negatived on the voices; whereupon Cr. Sinclair called for a division, which resulted in, Ayes, 1, Cr. Sinclair ; Noes, 8, being the rest oi the Council. Cr. Robinson moved to the effect that half the liabilities of the old Board be paid this year, and the balance next year. Cr. Dodson seconded the motion. He did so feeling that it was the wish of the townspeople and the duty of the Council, to pay these debts, which were just ones, due to certain people in the town. He had never lost an opportunity to impress on the ratepayers the justice of paying the debts ot the old Board, and believed the ratepayers were quite willing to pay them in the manner stated in the motion.

Cr. Hodson fully recognised the justice of the claims, and thought they ought to be paid as early as possible, but considered the town required the whole of the present rate of Is. to place the roads in proper order. He would like to see a special rate of 6d. additional levied for the purpose, if the burgesses would consent. Cr. Sinclair intimated that Cr. Dodson would like to rule the rising and setting of the sun and moon, whereupon he was called to order by that gentleman ; but as Mr. Sinclair remained standing, Cr, Robinson rose to order. Cr. Sinclair went on to make some remai-ks about rules and inches, when Cr. Nosworthy again rose to order, the Mayor ruling to that effect. Cr. Sinclair resumed : He said he had some personal feeling in this matter, and would beg to impress on the Council the fact that they could not dictate to the creditors when and how they should be paid. In reply to Cr. Hodson, he considered that they could not impose an extra rate. H e had voted against a Is. rate, but that was now passed. He then drew a comparison with Nelson, where the rates wei-e much lower.

The Mayor rose to explain that Nelson did not levy on the value to let, but on the value to sell, which made a great difference. He believed the creditors would be quite willing to take half their due this year. Cr. Robinson said that when he tabled the motion he knew that all the creditors were willing to take 10s. in the pound this year, and the balance next. The motion was carried. Cr. Hodson moved that the Council should fix the salary and advertise for an Inspector and Collector of rates, as he did not think the Mayor and Councillors ought to be called on to inspect the works themselves, and such officers were really necessary. Cr. Sinclair fully agreed with the last speaker, and seconded the motion. The motion was carried. Cr. Dodson moved that 2J per cent, be allowed on rates collected, and a bond taken as security, to the amount of rates to be collected. Cr. Robinson enquired as to the duties of the Collector. The Mayor explained. Cr. Taylor asked if the Inspector would also be expected to act as Inspector of N uisances. Cr. Dodson moved that the salary be £5 for the present year. The Mayor explained that the financial year expired in November. Cr. Hutcheson thought the year com menced with the publication of the Corporation Act in the Gazette, and hoped to see the Clerk undertake the duties, Cr. Dodson said that in moving the salary, he meant it to be for a year, and would of course expect to see the sum apportioned to the time employed. Cr. Sinclair would like to see the appointment of Inspector left with the Mayor, as a proof of their confidence and esteem. Cr. Nosworthy and the Mayor showed that, under the Act, such an appointment would be illegal. The motion was then carried. Cr. Nosworthy moved the suspension of Standing Orders, in order that the Council should advertise that at next meeting they intended to consider a bye-law, prohibiting persons driving and riding on footpaths. Cr. Sinclair seconded the motion.

Cr. Robinson supported the motion, fully approving of that part referring to footpaths, as some which had been made by subscription were being cut up shamefully by persons driving carts on them instead of the road. The motion was carried.

The Council, at the request of the Mayor, amended the names of certain holders of property rated in the Borough. On the motion of Cr. Uos worthy, the Clerk was instructed to summons such evidence as he might consider necessary to sustain the rate in cases of appeal to the Resident Magistrate’s Court. A considerable number of notices of motion were then given, after which the Council adjourned.