Sydenhm Borough Council

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4592, 14 March 1893, Page 4

Sydenhm Borough Council

The fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held yesterday evening ; present— The Mayor (Mr William Jacques) and Councillors Brown, Taylor, Winny, Forrester, Bootb, Smith, Hadfield, Muffett, Nanoarrow and Samuels. LEAVE. Leave of absence was granted to Councillors Langdown and Budd. THR LICENSING QUEBTION. A. letter was read from Mr C. J. A. Haselden, Under-Seoretary in the Department of Justice, Wellington, stating that application had been made to the Government to proclaim the four wards in the Borough of Sydenham separate licensing districts. The Government had been advised that, the proper course to pursue was to accede to the application, and the necessary proclamation would, therefore,, be issued without delay. Councillor Smith moved — " That the letter from the office of the Minister for Justice be received, and a telegram sent asking— (l) By whom the application referred to in the letter-had been made; (2) that action be deferred pending further consideration by this Council; and (3) .protesting against the proposed division of the Borough into tour licensing districts." ■■■■\ .'■,'■■ . Councillor Hadfield seconded the motion. Councillor Forrester moved as an amendment—" That the letter W received, and that the hon the Minister for Justice be informed that this Council cannot see its way to interfere in tiie matter/ Councillor Hancaxrow seconded the amendment.. „ i . . After a heated debate the amendment waß earned by six to ,fi.ye-rAyes, Council* lore Samuels, Nanoarrow,' F-orreßter? Mpffett, Wjriny and the Mayor; Noes, Councillors Taylor,' Smithy Booth, Hadfield and Brown. . ,-•.,.. .i^}J-j>-^ ,'j -v :/ '.[ WOBKB COMMITTSB. /' ' ' The Works, Committee's report stated that in reference to the .. letter from; the Mount Hutt JSoad Board; : reapeoting , the gravel piti at Cairnbrae, the Committee,, although, satisfied, that about 1800. yards of gravel had been i taken out of the pit, and had not been accounted for to the Council, did not see its way to asoertain' what: had;: become 9? the missing gravel; The Committee therefore recommended that the claim on the Board.should.be ; modified, without prejudice, to the. 702 yards acknowledged by the Board ; that the Board be informed that the fence round. the. pit never was a legal one, or .safe, to guaxd against accidents,, and that the Board be requested to erect a legal fence, or pay the cost of erecting one. In reference to Mr J. Small's letter, calling the Council's attention to the condition o£ the fence on Besarve 2379, the Committee . recommended that Mr Small's attention be directed to the fences on .that part of the reserve occupied by Mr Mitchell, which had not been cut as stated, and to the fact, that the gorse in the division fences was only growing in isolated places. ;,'..•, 'V. ,'■'-.,' . . :;. , ;, ..:.', The report waß adopted. . . .' FINANOH COMMITTEE. i „v The -Finance Committee's report stated that during the past fortnight the receipts had amounted to £216 11s Sd, the principal items being general account rates £88 13s lld> dog licenses £35 and separate account rates £87 7a 6d> The balances of accounts were— Separate account ,£277 10s 7d, interest account *276 9s, loan account £5485 10a 3d, general account j£977 12s iOdj total, 2s 6d. The Committee recommended payment of aocounte amounting to JS2SI 12s Id, the < prinpipal items being wages .£SO lla lOd, Christchurch City 'Council (hire of fire engine) £*J5, EaU way Fire Brigade (hire of fire engine) JS2O. The report waß adopted. 1 'THE COUNOIIi'e 'STAFF. The Mayor read the report of the Committee appointed to consider the arrangement of the duties of the Council's officers. The report has already been published. Councillor Smith moved—" That the report of the Committee appointed to consider the arrangement of the duties of the Council's officers, dated March 6, 1893, be received and adopted." Councillor Bootb seconded the motion. Councillor Forrester moved as an amendment—"That the duties of the Town Clerk and Treasurer be arranged so as to embrace all the clerical work in connection with the Council office, except such as may be absolutely necessary for the inspector to do in the discharge of his duties ss inspector and collector. The inspector, collector and ranger's officehours shall be 9 to 9.30 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m., except on Saturdays, when\he hours Bhall be 9 to 1; at all other times he shall be doing duty as inspector and collector, and shall work generally under the instructions of the Mayor and the Sanitary Committee. The foreman of works shall have control of the men in the Council's employ, also hove charge of all plant and material, and be responsible for .their safe keeping." Councillor Muffett seconded the amendment. .. . ■ ./ ".'■ .'.'" ■; . „ Councillor (Forrester said Mr E. Jones and others, representing a number of the ratepayers, were in the Council chamber, and he would like the Council to hear what they had to say in regard to the arrangement of the Council's staff. Councillor Booth drew the Council's attention to the Standing Orders. He contended that no ratepayer had any right to address the Council on a matter of policy. After^ Bbme discussion the Mayor said that, in face of the Standing Orders, tbe deputation could not be heard. The amendment ' was carried by six to five. Ayes— Councillors Forrester, Muffett, Samuels, Nancarrow, Badfield and the Mayor. Noes — Councillors Taylor, Smith, Booth, Winny and Brown. After some routine business had been disposed of the meeting terminated.