Sydenham Borough Council.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5550, 23 February 1886, Page 4

Sydenham Borough Council.

An ordinary meeting of the above body was held last evening ; present — His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Jones, Fisher, Day, White, Taylor, Bowden, Gledhill, and Booth. * CORRESPONDENCE. The following was read : — From the Aldington Workshops Band, asking for patronage to a concert on March 12, in aid of the Band funds. The request was acceded to. From Mr J. Baldwin, Churchwarden of St Saviour's Church, calling attention to the inconvenience which would result to the congregation from the unnecessary height of side channelling. Eef erred to Works Committee. From Mr James Crowley, on the subject of levels in Madras street, and intimating that he would hold the Council responsible for any damage that might ensue to his property. Keferred to Works Committee. WORKS EBPOBT. The Works Committee reported as follows : — 1. The Committee has enquired into the complaint of the workman who, at the last ordinary meeting, complained of being anfairly discharged from the Council's service, and is of opinion that the Council's Foreman of Works was fully justified in discharging the man. 2. The Committee is taring steps to ascertain the wishes of the day labourers respecting the proposed Saturday half-holiday, 3. The Committee has arranged for the Bupply of cement for immediate use. , The report was adopted. FINANCE IiEI'ORT. The Finance Committee reported aa follows : — Receipts for the fortnight, JJ243 Is lOd ; accounts recommended for payment, .£349 10s lOd; credit balance at bank .£lls Is sd. The report was adopted. CHARITABLE AID. A man in the employ of the Council, under part payment from the Charitable Aid Board and the Council, attended, and asked the Council to increase his allowance, aa he had a wife and family to support. The Works Committee stated that if the Council increased the allowance, the Aid Board would cease payment. Councillor White was unaware of such a resolution on the part of the Board. Councillor Bowden suggested that the matter should be left in tbo handß of the Works Committee, who could ascertain the actual state of affairs. Councillor White moved for a return by next meeting showing the amount of loan expended in the various blocks of the Borough, and the amout to dobit or credit of the several block 3 in the general account. Complaint had been made to him of unfair

expenditure, and he wished to sot the I question at rest. The Town Clerk said it would be impossible to prepare the return by next meeting. Councillor White said he had been charged with using his influence with the , Works Committee to the unfair advantage , of certain blocks, and to meet the difficulty raised by tho Town Clerk, he was prepared himself to supply any requisite' addii tional clerical assistance. The Chairman of the Works Committee , exonerated Councillor White from the charge of attempting to influence the Committee. Councillor White said tho statement had been made by a member of tho Works Committee, hence his action. The motion was carried. An application for employment was referred to the Works Committee.

An adjourned special meeting was afterwards held to consider the subject of objection to valuation roll, aa prepared by the Property Tax Assessor. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence as follows was received : — ; From the Property-tax Department, covering valuation roll. From the Borough solicitors (Messrs \ Salter and Swarm) furnishing opinion regarding legality of valuation roll, and advising the Council that it could not object to the roll in its entirety, but should forward a list of objections to the several valuations. , Councillor Taylor moved — "That this ' Council is of opinion that the statement of 1 values supplied is inequitable to many ' ratepayers, especially small ratepayers, and > that the assessor (Mr Blake) be requested 1 to attend the Council and explain the basis | of his valuation." , Seconded by Councillor Day. ' A long discussfon ensued as to the best course for the Council to pursue. The motion was eventually carried. ' It was resolved to instruct the Borough solicitors to lodge the necessary objections to the roll, as not being in accordance with the Acts. | The Council then adjourned.