Coal Meters
On the recommendation of the Stonebeach Committee, the Local Board on the 6th of January appointed Robert Plane and T. Tutt, jun. as coal meters.
Volunteers’ Application.
At the January meeting, Ald. Rook, as an officer of the Rifle Corps, said they were at very great inconveince(sic) for the want of a sufficiently large room. The Corps had hired the Swan room, but now that a drill-sergeant was coming, their inconvenience would be increased; and as the corps had only patriotic objects, he hoped their application for the Market-room would be granted. In many other places public rooms and grounds were freely provided for Volunteers. – Coun. Howell moved that the Corps be allowed the use of the room once a week free of cost, and Coun. Kenwood seconded. – Coun. Vidler understood that the Artillery Corps would also be applying for the use of the room in conjunction with the Rifles. – Ald. Ginner reminded the members that it was not a borough room, but that it was built by the old Commissioners in the hope that they would get a return for it. It belonged entirely to the east end, which was the least able to pay for it. The gentlemen who had spoken lived in the West Ward, and that ward contributed nothing to the Market room. Before they decided that there should be no charge made for the room he hoped gentlemen would take these things into consideration. – Ald. Rock thought the West Ward did its share of paying for the Water Works. – Coun. Putland could see no way but that of the Board hiring the room for the use of the two corps and and(sic) charging the expense upon the whole district [Hear, hear!] – The Clerk said the Board had no power to spend money in that manner. – Coun. Winter did not object to their having the room at a nominal rent, but they ought to pay for gas and leave the room clean. Coun. Howell, in reply deprecated the continual bringing forward the idea that one part of the borough belonged to one and that part to another. The West helped the East in the coal duties, and it was beyond contradiction that that the increase of valuable property in the West Ward materially assisted the old town. [He might have added that the West Ward, directly or indirectly, had their share of the Market fees, the result of which was to enhance the price of fruit, vegetables &c., whilst the Market itself was too far away from them to be made use of.] Mr. Howell’s motion was carried.
At the meeting on May 4th, a letter was received from Capt. Harcourt stating that a gun was shortly expected from Government for the Artillery Volunteers and desiring to know if the Council could appropriate any spot eastward of the Fishmarket that would be suitable for gun practice? It was resolved to remit the application to the Stonebeach Committee, with power to act. The application was granted, as will be seen in -
