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give advice as to the water supply; but on meeting him, his terms were so high that he was not employed. The Clerk had an interview with Mr. Ramel for 1½ hours, but that gentleman did no work. His claim for the visit was £21 and expenses £4 5.6. He had been asked to diminish his claim, but refused. The Clerk's opinion was that however exorbitant the claim, it would have to be paid. A motion to that effect was therefore made and carried.
Protestations - Since, by request of memorialists, the road round Wellington Square had been declared to be public, the Local Board had received a protest from Mr. Shaddack and Mr. Farncomb against taking over the west side, and it was therefore decided that the declaration of the square as public roads should only apply to the north and east sides. - A letter of remonstrance was also received from the Commissioners of Woods and Forests against the Council placing seats at the east end of Carlisle Parade to prevent people falling over without first obtaining permission. The Clerk was instructed to intimate to the Commissioners that the Board made no claim to the right of doing what they had done, and that the Board had resolved to put good stone steps at the spot, there being a public footpath leading from the parade to the adjacent road.
The Police Bill At the meeting on the 4th of April, the first business was to consider the Borough and Counties Police Bill, as amended after Hastings and many other boroughs had petitioned against the original Bill. It came out in discussion that the objectionable clauses had been expunged or amended, so that in boroughs with a population of over 5,000 if the police force was maintained in an efficient manner, one-fourth of the charge for pay and clothing would be contributed by Government; but that if inefficient, the bonus would be withheld. No further action on the matter was proposed.
An Additional Policeman - At the close of the year, there was a complaint that the policemen were insufficient in number, and at the Council meeting on the 2nd of the following January, the Watch Committee having recommended an additional constable for the West Ward it was opposed by Couns. Bromley, Harvey, Duke and J. B. Williams, but Coun. Putland (who once wanted the force to be reduced from 12 to 9) and Coun. Eldridge showed that the whole front line was almost entirely unguarded, and after citing instances of thieves and other persons escaping through the want of a policeman being within call, and the absence of police-station, the Committee's recommendation was acceded to.
Gaol Arrangement - At the quarterly meeting on the 2nd of May, the Clerk said the gaol was then in the hands of the Council, who could keep it up as a prison or a lock-up, but in either case they would want a-