£1 5s.; summoning juries, £1; coroner’s inquests, £1 ; all other summonses and notices £10 14s. 6d.; = total, £98 9s. 6d. Ald. Clement considered the return as very satisfactory, and thought that Mr. Campbell certainly did not receive too much.
Great rise in Rates. It having been found that the previous district rate of 2d. was the result of an error in calculation, it was now proposed that a rate of 8d. be levied. Coun. Deudney reminded the meeting of his expressed opinion that the last rate was too little, and even now he had proposed in committee a ninepenny rate. Coun. Ginner said the year’s income ought to meet the year’s expenditure, and it appeared to him that even a ninepenny rate would not be enough. He would rather see the Financial Committee grapple boldly with the matter and say we must have a tenpenny rate – Ald. Clift remarked that the inhabitants would be very dissatisfied with so great a rise to 9d. or 10d., and that was why in committee he gave the casting vote for 8d. This was ultimately adopted, as was also a special district rate at 3d.
Water Supply. The special committee reported that the shaft sunk near the Gas Works had produced a large quantity of water at a depth of 24 feet. The Surveyor said he had also found water at the excavation near the Tivoli, and a supply of about 34.500 gallons at a depth of about 14 feet. A letter was then read from Mr. Clark, who coupled Mr. Eversfield’s name with his own, stating that the excavations at the Tivoli cut into one of the main springs of his reservoir, and threatening an action for an injunction unless it was stopped. Coun. Deudney was sorry to have to refer to this subject again, but he could assure the meeting that Mr. Eversfield had given full permission to the Board to make excavations for water on any part of the Eversfield estate, and that that gentleman had had nothing to do with the letter then received. Mr. Clark, who was present, declared that Mr. Eversfield had no power to grant authority to go upon his land [Oh, oh! and laughter].
On the General Drainage there was a long and confused discussion, the Surveyor, who, a few months before, produced his plans and estimate, being sharply questioned (as had been Mr. Putland, when in office, on the same theme), notwithstanding that he appeared to have exercised all due diligence in the work, and had sent his plans to the General Board in London, where they had been kept for two months. It had been understood at a previous meeting that it would not be well to commence drainage operations until the next year; yet, some of the members – Ald. Clift, in particular – appeared to be destitute of ordinary patience. The -
