BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3651, 23 December 1879, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SYDENHAM. The ordinary moetmg of this Council was held last evening ; preaent — His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. T. Brown), Councillors White, Charters, Andrew, Nicholls, Pavitt, Joyco, Hall, and Langdown. CORBE3rONDBNCE. A lettor was road from tho Colonial Secretary's office, acknowledging receipt of resolution passed against the Christchurch Sports Committee alienating any portion of tho Public Domain, and stating that the Govornment had not received any intimation of such intention. A reply from Mr E. Richardson, M.H.8., dated Dec. 15, was read, acknowledging copy of petition re crossing ovor railway at Harper street, and saying ho would urge tho favourable consideration of the Hon the Minister of Public Works to same. Bfßolved — " That the letter be acknowledged with thanks." A letter was read from Mr Bobert Beattie, giving it as his opinion that the Council Bhould pay half tho oxpenso of a deed drawn up in a case of, arbitration between him and tho Council. After some discussion it was decided tc refer the letter to the Works Committee. The Town Clerk at Bangiora wrote asking information rolativo to charges made by the Sydenham Borough Council for pedlars' ( licenses, &c. The Clerk said he had supplied the information asked lor. , .VOBKS COMMITTEE'S BBPOBT. i The Works Committee reported that th« > arbitrators had sent in their award in Beattie'i • contraot, amounting to £19 fis. The Committei r had agreed with Mr Lawrence for the supplj l of photographio copies of the Borough map > They bad seen Mr Bayman with referonci • to the section offored by him for the purposi of widening Selwyn street, and found hi

did not own the whole strip extending to> Bright's road. They, therefore, would not recommend the- purchase of the Beotionat his price of £150. With reference to tho Gasworks rood, tho Committee lad asked the Bailway Engineer to improve the crossing, and Mr Lowe had submitted a plan of the proposed f alterations, which tho Committee hud aps proved, and would be recommended to the 1 Commissioner of Railwajo for 'adoption. With reference to paragraph No. 2 of the' . report, Councillor Charters suggested that a 6 numbor of copiea of the map should bo taken t for general sale. Such a map would be of t very great utility to bueincesTnen. . After some remarks thoreport was- adopted ) without alteration. ;• Councillor Charters moved — "That the works Committee be requested to consider the , advisability of having a number of lithograph' ■ copies of tlie Borough map made for sale."' , Councillor Joyce seconded tho resolution, whioh was agreed to:. FINANCE CO-___-TTBE'S EBFOHT. i The Finance Committee reported receipts for tho last fortnight to be us follows :*— Kates, £110 2s 5n ;: sundries, £11 4. ; total, , £1246. 5d ; credit balanoe- at bank. £14.2^ 18s 8d ; accounts- to be paidj £.2-10--6 a. The Gommitfeo had informed the Drainage Board, in reply to-their communication,. that the Council must decline to accept any alteration of tho rate-of commission for collection' this year, as no notice of the intention- to I alter tho rate had been givon to tho Council; and a large-proportion of the rato was_.lready collected: The Rate Collector had been -instructed totake out summonses fortlie recovery ofr outstanding rates. The report was adopted ns read. ■ COURT OP LETTS'- SESSION'S; Councillor Joyco moved tho following motion:— "That a deputation, consisting, of tho Mayor, Councillors- Charters, and themover, wait upon the Minister of JustioOj and urge the claims of this- borough for-the constitution of a Petty Sessions Court: for Sydenham." Councillor Pavitt seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. DIV_SIOKvIKTO -WABna. / Councillor Joyco moved— "That it is desir/ablo that tbo Borough should be divided; say,, into four wards." He thought-the-- time-had' arrived when they should follow tlie ©rumplo set by larger Boroughs, and establish tho ward system, which had I beon found 'to. work so efficiently, in other- places. Councillor Nicholls seconded the-motion. Councillor Charters, though .in favour of the ward syetom, .thought it was too importanta question to. tho ratepayers to deeidecit rightoff. If the matter were postponed for a fortnight tho ratepayers would have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on tho question. Councillor Andrew, though in, favour ofthe systom, thought the motion should! bo postponed for a fortnight. After further remarks -it was decided, by permission of tho mover, to postpone the question until next meeting. THK GASWORKS-ROAD.. Councillor Androw complained' that- the Drainage- Board were cutting.' a. gap, right across tho pathway on tho G is works road' without allowing any provision for thoaccommodation of tho travelling. public- Had they attempted to stop tho traffic in a similarmanner in Christchuroh, . they, would have been fined heavily. It was-re3olvod,onthemotioniof Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Andrew — "That the attention of the Drainage -Board be called' to the absence of accommodation for pedestrians at the works being, carried out on the above road." TUB HOLIDAi-iS. On the motion of Councillor Chartors^ib was resolved to grant the Council's employees holidays on Thursday, Friday, and Satur_Si.y nexb, also on New Year's Day. The Council then adjourned.