Alleged Encroachment. Ald. Clement produced a plan, with an application for permission to lay down a pavement round his new houses on the north side of Robertson street and at the east end thereof. Coun Ross opposed the application as an encroachment. Mr. Clement, he said, had built a house four inches from the road, and now wanted three or four feet to give him a foot-way. He (Mr R) should be surprised if they yielded to such an encroachment. Ald. Clement indignantly repelled the charge, and said Mr. Ross was far more likely to encroach than he was, and if he repeated the charge, he (Ald. C) would say something that would not be pleasant. The application was granted by 9 votes to 7. The path was to be 4 feet ‘wide’ on the Robertson-street side and 6 feet on the Cambridge Road side.
[See page 38 for criticism on the Council’s proceedings in the case of Mr. Putland and the endeavour to foist on St. Leonards the cost of a map.]
Concerts 1853.
A Dirge Concert in memory of the Duke of Wellington in the Market Hall on the 10th of January was given It a greatly crowded assembly, notwithstanding the rainy and boisterous character of the weather. The vocal portion of the programme was sustained by Me. Elford’s choir, assisted by other singers, and the instrumental by Wood’s string band and Brett’s brass band.
A concert by Mrs. Louisa Forte Hay, and sketches of character by Mr. Hay, were given in the Swan Assembly Room on the 14th of January.
The Tyrolean Minstrels gave a “Farewell” concert in the Market Hall on the 20th of January to a numerous and gratified audience.
The Dirge Concert by Mr. Elford was repeated by request on the 24th of January, by the same executants, and with similar success.
Scenes and Songs from “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in connection with the Atheneum, were given in the Market Hall on the 7th and 8th of February.
Madrigals, Glees and Sacred pieces, together with tea and a supplemental dance, in the long room of the Swan Shades, constituted the entertainment given by the choirs of St. Clement’s and All Saints on the 22nd of February. The company consisted of 80 persons.
A Ballad Concert, in connection with the Atheneum, took place on the 9th of May, the principal vocalist being Mr. George Barker, composer of the “White Squall” and other songs.
Lectures.
The Social Aspect of Railways was the theme on which the Rev. J. Stent lectured at the Mechanics Institution on Jan. 24th.
A Temperance Lecture, with melodies, was delivered by Mr. Ripley, on Jan. 21st in the Lecture room of the Wellington Square Baptist Chapel.
Electricity. On the 24th of February, Mr. Banks failed, for the third time, to give his lecture on Electricity, the audience this time being only four persons, and on previous occasions, the weather was bad.
