fool money away like that. Coun. Pickmell(sic) believed the drainage scheme would ruin the town. Coun. Ross thought that after Mr. Braithwaite had spoken of Mr. Gant’s levels as being unprecedented for correctness, and had given Mr. Gant such a high character as to make him almost equal to himself, they ought not to go to Mr. Braithwaite any more. Ald. Scrivens said, if they employed a professional man they must pay him. Mr. Braithwaite had talked of ten guineas a day and he had charged only seven. [But if he took 31 days to do what it was said could have been done in six, his sevenguinea charge of £226 was £166 more than that at ten guineas would have been]. The truth was (said Ald. Scrivens) they had not sufficient confidence in themselves, nor their surveyor, but after spending something like 250 guineas, perhaps they would have a higher opinion of their Surveyor. There was such a thing as having their drainage done properly or only half done; and he believed that though the charge seemed heavy, the town would not be dissatisfied if the drainage turned out well. It was agreed that the bill be paid.
Another Claim. The Surveyor’s long deferred claim of £60 was again debated. The Surveyor repeated that the £60 was money paid out of his own pocket for assistance in preparing the drainage plans, without which assistance he could not possibly have found time for the ordinary duties of his office as Surveyor. He could not have been drawing plans all day long and attending to his surveyorship work at the same time. Coun. Ross would vote against the claim, as it was for work which the Surveyor ought to have done himself. Ald Rock reiterated an opinion that the preparation of the drainage plans was not necessarily a part of the Surveyor’s duties, and that he should receive some recompense other than his salary. Ald. Scrivens said if they paid £230 to a consulting man, they surely ought to pay £60 to a working man. He therefore moved that the money be paid. Ald Clement seconded; but quibbles continued to be advanced by Ross and Picknell, the latter indignantly declaring that to pay the money would be illegal, as it was not on the agenda. Ald Scrivens withdrew his motion, but Coun. Bromley, after suggesting that Picknell should be called to order, said it appeared to him that Mr. Gant was entitled to the money, and to settle the matter at once he would move that he be paid. Coun. Hickes seconded, and the motion was carried by 8 to 4.
Petition for Delay. At the meeting on Nov. 3rd, a petition, signed by 450 ratepayers, was received by the Local Board, praying that the general drainage be postponed for two years, on account of the depression in trade and the high price of provisions. In a discussion which followed, the question was raised whether the Local Board having gone so far as they had, could relinquish the drainage, or whether the General Board had the power to compel -
