Sydenham Borough Council.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5562, 9 March 1886, Page 4

Sydenham Borough Council.

The ordinary meeting of the above body was held last evening ; present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Jones, Langdown, Fisher, Day, White, Taylor, Booth, Bowden, and Gledhill. correspondence. The following was read : — From Spreydon Road Board, enclosing cheque for maintenance of boundary roads for nine months, and declining to pay claim for haulage of fire-engine, as the Board considered it the Council's duty to take the engine to that district. The letter was received. From the Borough solicitors (Messrs Salter and Swarm), covering copy of reply from Property Tax Commissioner, on the subject of the Borough valuation roll. (The Commissioner's reply stated that he would be glad to assist the Council ; that it would not be necessary for the Council to send him a detailed list of objections ; that he had written the Valuator upon the subject, and would communicate with the Council again upon receiving his reply). The letter was received. From Messrs Salter and Swarm, intimating that they had received a reply from the Ashburton Forks Railway Company, declining to acknowledge the Council's claim for compensation. Referred to Finance Committee, with power to act. From Mr G. Enabling, again calling attention to the danger arising from' gorse on ;-:ection in Shakespere street. Referred to Sanitary Committee. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The Works Committee reported that the complaint made by the vestry of St Saviour's had been enquired into; the Surveyor had been instructed to peg off levels of streets running into Waltham road ; tenders had been received for 2500 casks of cement, and the Committee recommended the acceptance of that of Mr C. W. Turner ; the majority of the Council's day labourers wished to have the Saturday half-holiday, and to make up the time during the week. The Committee reported that the contractor for supply of shingle was not fulfiling the terms of his contract. He had been cautioned by the Committee on the subject. Councillor White divided the Council on the clause as to acceptance of tender for cement, as the tender had been altered from its original terms — when it was not the lowest. It appeared that the Works Committee had consulted with Mr Turner and got the amendment made. Councillor White wanted to know who had pencilled out a clause in the tender referred to, and the Chairman of the Works Committee (Councillor Jones) said he had done so in consequence of information which had been given to him. The clause was carried, Councillors White and Taylor voting against it. The report as a whole was adopted. FINANCE REPORT. The Finance Committee reported as follows : — Receipts for fortnight, £317 10s ; accounts recommended for payment, £806 10s lOd; balance at bank and general account, £88 14s Gd; loan account, £25,000. FIRE PREVENTION. The Fire Prevention Committee reported that they had applied to the Fire Insurance Association, asking what assistance would be given towards the formation and maintenance o£ a. Fire Brigade in the Borough. A reply had been received to the effect that the Association could not assist in the formation of a Brigade and purchase of plant, but would consider an application for maintenance if a Brigade was formed. The Committee did not recommend the Council to proceed any further iv the matter. The report was adopted. The return asked for at last meeting, as to expenditure out of loan in the different districts of the Borough, was laid on the table, and was as follows : — Addington, £147 Is 2d; Newtown, £335 6s 2d ; Waltham, £623 7s 4d ; Sandridge, £314 13s ; plant, &c, £29 9s 6d. Councillor White waa satisfied with the j return, which had been prepared at his j request, and it was received. I MISCELLANEOUS. A Committee was appointed to enquire and report from time to time as to the lands required for widening and straightening the Btreets in the Borough. Some formal business was transacted and the Council adjourned.