Local Board versus Gant - At the Magistrates Bench on the 3rd of April, Mr. W. J. Gant was summonsed by Mr. J. G. Shorter on behalf of the Local Board of Health for failing to deliver up certain plans, maps, &c. Mr. Langham conducted the case for the Local Board, and Mr. J. C. Gant for his brother. After a trial of five hours, the defendant was convicted, but not being present, his advocate said he would attend at any time to be taken into custody.
The Question of Commmitment At the Council meeting on April 4th, the Clerk referred to the order on the preceding day for the order of commitment of Mr. Gant until he gave up maps, &c. for which he had been sued, and said that he had not done so. - On the motion of Mr. Bromley it was resolved that the application for commitment be delayed for seven days, and that the Board pledge themselves to pay the expense of action that may be taken.
Giving up the Documents.The warrant for the imprisonment of Mr. Gant being issued on the 26th of April, the offender was not to be found, but a letter from him in London was received, together with the documents claimed by the Local Board. The letter to the Mayor stated that the late Surveyor was ready to give up everything, although he was convinced that the decision against him would be quashed if he took his case to a higher court. But this he declined doing, as his imprisonment meanwhile would subject him to much professional loss and other evils.
The New Surveyor's Duties At the Council meeting on April 4th, the duties of the Surveyor were resolved to be as follows:Mr. Laing said he would agree to those conditions and while thanking the Corporation for his appointment, said he would endeavour to do his duty.To act generally as architect and surveyor in connection with all the Corporation property; to make all plans, designs, drawings and specifications on any property that the Corporation might have occasion to carry out; after the completion and consecration of the new burial-ground to act as architect and surveyor thereof; and to give up the whole of his time to the Corporation when required.
Health-of-Towns-Bill Expenses At the meeting on Jan 4th, a government claim of £233 was received against the Corporation as their share of expenses in passing the Health of Towns Bill. No particulars were given, and it appeared that the amount had to be paid whether approved of or not; but the Local Board had the option of paying it out of the rates in one sum, or by five annual instalments. The latter course was decided on at the meeting of January 18th.
Another Disagreeable Claim At the February meeting, Mr. Ramel sent in a bill of £25 5s. 6d. with a request for payment, and as several members knew not for what the expense had been incurred, the Clerk explained that there was an order in the book for Mr. Ramel to come from London to inspect the drainage plans and to-
