Page:Item 9 1861.pdf/103

sumed that some committee or some person had usurped the authority of the Local Board, and he had to ask the Town Clerk who it was that had taken upon themselves the functions of the Local Board? – The Mayor said that an order had been given that Havelock ​road​ should be inspected, and that the Town Clerk had been directed to take proceedings against the parties who were reported to be the defaulters in causing the obstructions. The Town Clerk said the summonses had been taken out in consequence of the Mayor having instructed him to abate the nuisance. He had asked Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Glenister and Mr. Winter to go and inspect the place and furnish him with reports, on which reports the proceedings were taken. He judged the proper was to take the case before the magistrates, and he did not think he had exceeded his duty. Ald Ginner considered that everything that was done was done by the Board, and most properly done. The state of the Havelock ​road​ was both and(sic) injury to the town and a danger to visitors. He did not think they would find another town in which so much leniency had be(sic) shewn to builders. The evil had been going on for some years, for even when the houses in Eversfield place were ​building​, the ​road​s were blocked with piles of bricks. It was got to be so crying an evil that strangers could not escape it, and the Havelock ​road​ in particular was in a most disgraceful state. The town authorities had borne with it as long as they could. He believed the proceedings taken to abate the nuisance were under the sanction of the Board, and he was pleased that their officers had found a remedy. He was sorry that Mr. Howell, who was a member of the Board, should be one of those who were affected, because he was the man who ought to have set a good example [Hear, hear]. Instead of which he was the principal offender. Other persons out of doors had said , if they followed Mr. Howell’s example they would have a good guide. The proceedings, in his opinion, were both right and proper. The powers given in the Act of Parliament enabled the servants of the Board to take proceedings for the removal of anything objectionable without an order from the Board, and they should be supported unless they exceeded their duty. – The Mayor would vindicate the Town Clerk from anything that might be imputed to him. He had given Mr. Growse instructions to take proceedings of which Mr. Howell complained. The builders had received notices which they would not attend to, and he felt that he had done right in giving the directions he had. During the discussion Mr. Howell discourteously contradicted some statements and was called to order. Mr. Vidler also used some strong expressions personally addressed to Mr. Howell, and elicited cries of “chair” and “order”. – Couns. Gausden was glad the Mayor and Mr. Ginner had put the matter in a proper shape. From his own observations, in comparison with other towns, in(sic) had no hesitation in -