whilst in other places drains were projected which did not require them. He referred to Winding street, but was told that such street was already on the plans. Then, said Mr. Putland, no drains were laid down for Robertson street or Claremont. This was also denied by the Surveyor, who admitted that they were on the plans at first, but for certain reasons, which Mr. Putland ought to state were removed. The Clerk reminded Coun. Putland that he had an opportunity of examining the plans months ago when they were laid open to the inspection of the ratepayers. Mr. Putland protested against his conduct being criticized by an officer of the Board. The Mayor remarked that the Surveyor had said he felt not to be in a position to reply to Mr. Putland, but he (the Mayor) assured him that he had the fullest liberty of replying to anyone when the drainage plans were called to question. Then, said the Surveyor, it was sometimes difficult to give an off-hand reply to unexpected questions, but he found that the depths of the main sewer in the eastern division as given by Mr. Putland, last week, were from 6 inches to 2 feet wrong. Mr. Putland admitted that they might be a few inches in error; an error which anyone else might make, for the scale was the very awkward one of 11 feet. He was reminded that it was the scale of the General Board and the Ordnance Board. Mr. T. B. Williams thought that if the plans were so imperfect, they had better put off the drainage for two years. The Surveyor said he cared very little what Mr. Putland and Mr. Williams said. Those plans had been inspected by men of greater ability than any man in that room. The Mayor was sorry that either the Surveyor or Mr. Williams should use strong language, as it provoked a rejoinder. This was the last Council meeting of the year.
Town Council Meetings - Soldier's Families &c.
Rating the Poor. This was a subject discussed at the March meeting, it being known that an enormous number of summonses had been issued, and at a time when everything was dear, and poor people almost without the means to purchase food. Ald. Scrivens advocated the levying of small rates not on the poor, but on the landlords. Vestries, he said, had the power to do so. The Mayor said a hard case came before him that morning, the rate being 1/5 and the summons 3/6.
Soldiers Families. At an adjourned meeting in March, it was resolved by the Town Council to petition the Secretary of War and the House of Commons for some provision to be made by the State for the wives and children of soldiers on foreign service, and particularly in the case of the expedition to the East; also to provide for the widows and families of those who might fall in the service.
Why Called Special? At the Council meeting on the 7th of April, Ald. Scrivens wished to know why the monthly meetings were always called ‘Special’ and was told by the Clerk, because they were held in addition to the regular quarterly meetings [The same rule applied to the meetings of the St. Leonards Commissioners]
