to receive tenders for, it was resolved at the January meeting, on the motion of Coun. Gausden, to issue notice to that effect. It was calculated that there would result from such a plan, a clear gain of £150 a year. At the February meeting this question occupied the Council a considerable time, and during a rather warm discussion, it was shewn that through a complication of accounts and erroneous data supplied to Mr. Gausden, by the Inspector of Nuisances, the former person had underestimated, by about £200, the income derived from the sale of ashes and street sweepings, and had based thereon certain gains to be effected by a different mode of collection. On the motion of Mr. Hailes, it was resolved to postpone the consideration of the tenders until the next meeting.
More Drainage Contracts. At the February meeting it was resolved that a new drain be laid down in front of Warrior square; that the Surveyor be instructed to prepare a section of the main drain, the exact fall, &c., and that the Roads Committee have power to advertise for and receive tenders for the work, the same to be submitted at the next monthly meeting. At the April meeting Mr. Grisbrook's tender of £224 for the work at Maze Hill, and Mr. Hughes's tender for that at Warrrior square, were accepted. Some drainage works at London road and Priory road were also agreed to be done.
Purchase of Land. At the January meeting it was resolved to purchase of Mr. G. Clement a piece of land from 1½ to 2½ acres in extent at the rate of £160 per acre, for the purpose of improving the Old Roar reservoir.
Fire Insurances. At the Council meeting on the 7th of February, a petition to the House of Commons was read and the Corporation seal was ordered to be affixed thereto. It set forth that the duty on Fire Insurances to the mercantile inhabitants was oppressive, and that it prevented many persons effecting insurances, and caused others to insure for only a minimum amount. It further stated that only a third of insurable property in the country was protected from loss of fire.
The Recorder's Death was officially made known to the Council at the same meeting by a letter received from the Clerk of the peace, and after a befitting eulogium to his memory, Coun. Winter moved, and Ald. Clement seconded that a vote of condolence should be sent to Mr. Thomas Attree, the late Recorder's surviving parent. At a meeting in March, the new Recorder, appointed by the Secretary of State was declared to be Robert Henry Hurst, Esq. As pertaining to this appointment a letter having been previously received from Mr. Turner, the County Court Judge, soliciting the support of the Council to his application to the Secretary of State, it was resolved that as Mr. Turner had already a very good office, it would be better if some young barrister of note to be appointed, and that in any case it had better be left with the Home Secretary to make the appointment.
