Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 265, 17 December 1870, Page 6

Blenheim Borough Council.

An adjourned meeting was held on Friday evening, December 9th, when were present the Mayor, Cks Hutcheson (chair), Robinson, Sinclair, Taylor, and Collie. There being only five members present at the commencement of the sitting, remarks were made as to the inconvenience felt from the absence of nearly half of the members.

Applications from Mr. Purkiss and Mr. Pritchard, to be allowed to erect booths in Seymour Square, on the occasion of the New Year’s Day Sports, were referred to the Sports Committee. The Mayor handed in a report of the Election by the burgesses in recommendation of a person for the Mayoralty, showing the number of votes to be for H. Dodson 62, W. Nosworthy 26.

Blenheim Schools. An account was handed in from Mr. Botham tor repairs ai the Blenheim Schools. It bore a menu randum from Mr. White that Education was now in the hands of the Boroug Council. Cr Robinson said it was kind ol the Superintendent’s clerk to furnish them with Mr. Botham’s account, and at the same time of no account of the Publican’s licenses to which they might be entitled. They had asked the Government for a statement of educational assets and liabilities, which the Provincial Secretary might have furnished before that time. Cr Collie said it was all very correct of Mr. White to say that the management of education had been transferred to the Borough Council, but what about the management of the money, which alone could settle an account 1 It had not been transferred. Cr Robinson moved that the account be referred back to Mr. Botham, in present circumstances. Cr Sinclair said they had not a shilling to their credit. The Government had absorbed the School endowments so many years, that they might be expected to hand over not bad debts, but a clear balance sheet. Motion agreed to. An account from the Messenger for lighting and attendance (£1 17s. 6d.) was passed. Publicans' Licenses. —A letter from the Provincial Treasurer replying to an application from the Town Clerk for the proceeds of Publicans’ Licenses within the Borough, on behalf of Education, was read. It stated that under the Audit Act the Borough Licenses could not be handed over without appropriation by the Provincial Council.

Cr Collie moved—That his Worship the Mayor wait upon his Honor the Superintendent and ascertain the financial position of the Schools, and at the suggestion of the Mayor the name of the mover was also added.

Cr Sinclair wished to give notice of a motion instead—That his Worship wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, and request him to call a Special Meeting of the Provincial Council to appropriate the Licenses in their favour. The Mayor said he was not disposed to ask that. Cr Sinclair said he did not hope anything from Mr. Seymour, They had a perfect right to ask the Provincial Council to amend their own oversight. He moved an amendment to that effect, which was lost, the mover only being in favour. The original resolution was carried. Ayes 5 : The Mayor, Crs Robinson, Hutcheson, Taylor, Collie. Against: Cr Sinclair. The Footbridge. —Cr Robinson called the attention of the Council to the state of the footbridge across the Custom-house Creek, from which two grown up persons and one child had already fallen, and moved that the parties who erected it should put up another rail and make it safe. He remarked that the bridge was over the public reserve, but the approaches were on private property. Cr Sinclair considered the bridge very useful though unsafe, and thought it too much to ask the original projectors to do the work. Cr Collie said that if private individuals for their own interests put up bridges, they should be required to make them safe, or else they would have to be shut up. The Council had more than enough to do to keep their own roads and bridges in repair. The Mayor said'he was not aware that more than one person had fallen off. He would see that a rail was put up. Being on private property he would not ask the Borough Council to do it. The matter then dropped. Obstructing Footpaths. —Cr Taylor called the Council’s attention to the obstruction caused by lads congregating on the footpath and bridge between Dr. Williams’s shop and Mr. Wrigley’s corner. Females frequently had to go into the middle of the road to avoid them. The Mayor thought the nuisance should be abated by the police.

Cr Robinson said he had heard impudent remai'ks from boys when females were passing, and he thought the police should have stopped it long ago. Omaka Bridge. —The Mayor said that the Omaka bridge was becoming rather dangerous. Several slabs gave way, and one child nearly fell through. He had at once instructed Mr. Gorrie to repair the damages. A letter from Mr. Morley relative to School Prizes was read. Crs Hutcheson and Collie volunteered to collect subscriptions in their private capacity for the purpose of supplying prizes. The following notices of motion were given,— Cr Collie —“ That his Worship the Mayor communicate with the Chairman of the Wairau County Board, suggesting the adoption of measures calculated to alleviate, if not permanently prevent, the floods that devastate the district.”

Cr Sinclair —“ That, in reference to the letter of the Provincial Treasurer in the matter of the Publicans’ license money for the sustenance of the Schools, that his Worship the Mayor and Cr Collie wait upon his Honor the Superintendent, and request that an early meeting of the Provincial Council be called, iu order to pass a vote of Appropriation for the said money, as passed by the Education Act, 1870.” Cr Collie —“That the Inspector of Works be instructed to examine the western end of High-street hitherto made as for as Mr. Hewitt’s gate, and report as to the probable cost of forming and metalling the same. Cr Robinson —“ That all slaughterhouses be licensed.”

Or Robinson —“ That the Council will on Tuesday, January 3, 1871, adopt subdivision 9 of part 1, 13 th schedule, as a bye-law of the Borough. Or Robinson— “ That the Council take the necessary steps to borrow £IOOO passed by the Council for permanent works.”

The Council then adjourned till the first Tuesday in January next.