be conducive to the public interest.” The report was adopted on the motion of Mr. Duke, seconded by Mr. Winter. Mr. Beattie was present at the meeting and being desirous of saying a few words, was listened to whilst he gave his reasons for his suggested change. Most townspeople, however, (outside as well as inside the Council chamber) judged Mr. Beattie in his transaction to be studying the interest of his own railway company by endeavouring to get the said mail transferred from the South-Coast to the South-Eastern.
Tender for Ashes, by Mr. Marchant at £14 10s per thousand bushels, during the year, was accepted by the Local Board on the 4th of January.
Shop-Front at Verulam Place. Mr. Southall, the owner of No. 1 Verulam place, having constructed a shop-front to his house projecting beyond the line of frontage, but on his own ground, was ordered by the Town Council not to proceed with the work (see page 45, Vol. 8), but he declined to do their bidding, and defied them to interfere. One or two of the Councillors also supported him, Mr. Howell, for one, declaring that the Council too often interfered with matters that did not concern them; also that the work in hand was that of alteration and not the building of a new house. The said house was erected before the Council became a Board of Health, and it is probable that some of its members recollected that in such sense the Council was legally beaten when they endeavoured to force the Crown authorities to widen the old road at Claremont. Any way, the shop front was built and has remained to this day. The neighbours petitioned against it, and at the first Council in the present year, 1861, the Roads Committee reported that they had had the memorial under consideration, and they recommended the Board not to take any further steps therein, and to communicate such decision to the memorialists.
Pillar Letter-Box. The same committee at the same meeting recommended the Board to sanction the application for permission to place the letter-pillar near to 12 Eversfield place. The recommendation was complied with.
Street Crossings. At the same January meeting the Roads Committee also recommended that pitched crossings, by way of experiment, be laid down from York Buildings to Havelock road, from Claremont to Diplock’s library, and across the road at the N.E. side of Warrior square.
Borough Rates. At the meeting on the 1st of March, the Finance Committee’s report showed a deficiency of £1,680, and a rate was made of 4d. in the pound. At the meeting on September 6th, a borough rate at 4d. in the pound, to produce £1,750, was also agreed upon.
New District Rate. – At the meeting on July 5th, a District rate at 10d in the pound was recommended. The Clerk (Mr. Growse) explained -
