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CARDIFF TOWN COUNCIL. !

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CARDIFF TOWN COUNCIL. TNsbodj met on Monday, the Mayor in the chair. Th. other members present were Aldermen Pride, Fiece, Watkins, and Councillors Evans, Dr. Tiylov, Whiffen, Clements Spencer, P. Bird, Flint. Todd, Winstone, Bowen, Vachell, Elliott, Ingledew, J. Bird, and Jones. The minutes having been read, were approved. rru T THE CASE OF MATTHEWS. The Town Clerk reported that he had called on Ilr. Dalton, the Clerk ot the Psano 1 "J A"ace, to know what had been done in the ma ter of estreating the recognizances of this person, and was lnformed court bad made an,o»defor the estreating of the recog- nizances nothing haa been done to give effect to the order He ihad then enq d of Mr. R .he m u. trates clerk <of Mr Superintendent Stockdale, who stated that he O der of the c WM made cQDtiDg. en y upo sansri ° °aS0 vvb'cil wa3 granted for an appeal to the sapen0 0^ Rq ,q quired of Mr. Ddton, who intimated that there had ? T!I! T H u part °f 9an-ebody. He then wrote to M H. Stephens, who acted as attorney for tbnfnTe m°att^DanIh0 V**? that ,ie had part in the matt-r, and enclosed a copy 0f a note made to theetfeot that the estreat was ordered subject to the result of an appeal which Matthews undert,ok to make to the Court 01 ^ueena Bench on i Mr. Stephens was of opinion that i* J'ai" p°ints anicd- carry the matter fa»^ as the ^1° f The Town Clerk added that on this he Were Pe°nll.eT9S' Dalton, saying that Matthews him3elf wr°Ae V' tbe money, and asking why the oTl r n *° Pa? not enforced. Some farther co? e A i m;n, vr, c,0„l ,respondence also took place with Mr. Stephens, but £ 0thin<» satisfactory seemed to have been elicited in any nna t The MAYOR put it to the Caun-f, (1 anything further should be (lone in tvn u7 in man REECE proposed that as the ,*r" A1^er' nearly two years ago, they sheuldnow took P'ace gone/, as it would be undesir.bL t :th^0Def^J6" now.—Mr. EVANS seconded the 11^ V T*, after so great a length of time B°" thl"k;?g that ceediogs might be suffered to dron v K pro- made, the Council decided accordfnX ° obJ8Ctlon beiD« SUNKEN ANCHORS The Town Clerk reported that he'► tu n i e t i ,l Qe had written to the Board of Trade asking that the f!nnr, o «o oouncil should receive a permanent perrniss.on to rat,e sunken anchors from the roadstead In reply AIr. Miller, the Collector of Customs, bad written, saying that the Board of Trade required to be furnished with a station? t H e « J J• *wement showing the number of anchors and dimensions of each, and weight of anchors recoveredI; an account of the expense in- curred in raising, and ot the nro^ofl^, .u i u- v, ° -P, ^"J^eeds of the sales which had taken place, lhe Water fUilitr -i c ■ no was prepared to furnish particulars as to the weiah* i e i i „ "o weight, and the money accounts of sale, and cost of raising could b° had from the borough treasurer; but the fi; • e tt fi k dimensions of those a,ready sold could not be given, SDd it would be very difficult to give the dimensions of ts thej were all [leaped together.rh eColmci' di reeled tb:t tbr rSmm rtito1'" » «••• without any attempt being mad» «i. j- • r u a ° .aae to give the dimensions cf each anchor—a tiling which Mr WIVSTOVT- stated was in itself unprecedented, as annh' "IN3T0Nf 8t.tea L a J aQchors were of various shapes and patterns, and could ba described only by weight, and not by dimensions spot complained of by him in a former report They were now tipping ballast to matP fK rePort-. llieJ basin, but were not doing £ Z\^ PK°P°S PR»I the anchorage ground. S° a3 t0 bs prejudicial to THE NEW POST AT? eit/-iI-« The Town Clerk reported that hh'i "h h solicitor of the General Post tof tbe Council would not undertake to plywllanher ex pense for prOVlOg title to tbe site adjoinin" the Town H Tnr Soo InTn. be sold the Govern- r^6D tho P >stm»-tpr r^' solicitor stated that his Grace the Postma.ter General had consented tbat the rofnerbVtVeheGof;fni„?teatz °; ?e » u j also stated tbat no ab- stract baa been famished of A J ► *U f J c Pftnnn A second mortgage of the anro ofr^eivin^K l° an 'nce company in vT of his nrfn 1S • '3a (Mr. Grover), went to X'3 °^l Mr- Matthews, and found there the abstract of title of tho • c i i .i i- t r>„o» a. l le omission of which the solicitor of the Post-office complained The MAYOR remarked that \Tr »»i u „n 1 iVlr* Matthews ought to have handed over all papers belonging to the town long r ^rnmon't had satis{,actorv to find that tbe Government had ac eded t° lh6 Council's request tbat !c6the land. °f makinS the title tc the land. NEW POLICE STATION. The Surveyor stated that nothing bad yet been done in choosing a site for a new TJolice.station, because it bad been uncertain whether the Post-office site would be sold, and from the money to be received from that the station was to be ouilt. Mr. ELLIOTT remarked that the Council owned pro- perty in VMntmore-lane, and he thought if they wanted a new station the best thing would be to take down tue bouses they owned there, and purchase the rest, so as to widen that street, and build .ioo there, which would be a lasting benefit to society oy improving the character of that street. The MAYOR said the new station wa, wanted near the docks. He agreed with Mr. Elliott as to the desirability of improving Whitmore-lane, but that question did not arise out of the subject now before the Council, which was, where they should fix a site for a station for the lower part of the town. WI»«"ore4,„e sita »ou!d be «> •»«.»» ."e bui,,ji-vst,tion in tv, t ° a good step towards removing the nuisances in that locality. the nuisances in that locality. Alderman REECE considered Whitmore-lane would the crowd, a mile, Up f0 ° Mr. ELLIOTT remarked that tho a- very much farther than to the nrL I TT? W°UlJd DOt be The MAYOR replied that the n ent statlon. „»d ma ineon»enUnt from bein ".1*5' Bute and it would not do to have it still f It Alderman PRIDE stated that some yTars^the Council discussed the propriety of bavin™ • Whitmore-lane; but instead of th station in hundred pounds on the station^ BPfnt what was wanted now wasn '7 lock-up, near the docks. 8tatl0D' but merely a Mr. BOWEN advocated the tr\an between Bute-road and the roll lSpifoeo'3f 8roan<^ Browne's dour mills for the Snh l° f ]ane, he thought, was too near t second station to be placed there Mat7-street 4*r a The Surveyor stated that J bv him-the one referred to mentioned the St. Mary's vicarage land L ^0^ 8 Portlon °{ ground where the balla3t.offi;ePiOS"e• "J piece of Peake's warehouses. s'ood, at the end of Mr. The MAYOR suggested WHA»I rented in Bute-road or near i f h<?U3,8 C0Uld D°\ he the back yard, and let a BeJ*'afnd,a 1(??k-ap e":ected 'a house. There might be tJ p0 lce reslde in the street, near the Docks, and !k Places—one m James- of Bute-road, so that instead f °.ther at tbe upper end goner a long distance amid.°f "Dg to dra= 8 Pri" would be able to lock him excited crowd, the police also be a lock-up of this de2- at on'a' ™ere mi«hJt arrests could then be mm* p ia.,Isewt0WD' and effected. more easily and qnwtly The Surveyor remarked tha» u „ only a lock-up for offender, at was wanted was not tramps, and also the place r!' Qt 8 lod81Dg-b°use incarcerate parties arrested b^red be t0 no lock-up of their own. T* ^he Dock police, who had auate for the purpose would Ujr or rent a hou83 ade" proper building new. °3t more tban to put up a jjr. WINSTONE stated that a of the Council decided on tim0 ag0 a committee street and one in Adam-at,18 a lock"uP in Patrick- lane was too far north to 8erva Newtown. "Whitmore- the lower part of the town. 88 a slte for a statlon for Mr. BOWEN stated that in Hr trict lock-ups, occupied as ft Rochester there were dis- on the plan suggested by th* £ elling by a police officer» prisoners, a police office, with cells for the family- rooms for the sergeant and Tbe further consideration was deferred to the next TY>» .tha Slte for the lock-ups JniUee. meeting of the Watch Com- SALARV OF THE SUPEA A report was read frotn the ENdent of POLICE. of Mr. Superintendent to whom ths letter report was as follows rp^"le had been referred. The committee, Mr. Stockdale ja ,8t ]n the opinion of this as to the effect of the m0dQ ut>der a misapprehension Superintendent is to be p8i(j0 ffoich the salary of the tbe arrangement of the g' aod they recommend that Tbe committee are fortifi^ ■ra should be adhered to. ft return very recently r0(! ? this recommendation by Southampton, where the a»ul,Ved from the borough of £ 200, without house rent.ft" y of superintendent is anv allowance made for a ti9,,ot clothing nor is there dale receives £ 200 in cash ff Whereas Mr. Stock- boose, garden, and coal; of income-tax), with for a clerk. The population *10 for clothing, and c-io and the police force number 64 outbamPtoD 33 i0>u00. iiff is about 40,000, and tW; tbe P0Pal<ition of Car- i-boul j ba added tbat both 8DPollca number 44. It noint-d in the same month of "Perintendents were ap- iwnson ot emoluments of tt. Same y-ear" ,A COm" the," pia^s shoTrs 3 coasiderable L 3UPe"Dtendents of the -at«rir.-nder.t cf pci^e of r.^v8Dtage 10 av°ar °f to UodeOT,°d h • L «»■■»•! adopted Uy tlic Council co.Hj H ".riH"' nerintendent as „ i..drk 0f dL„ rcg«ded by the bu- the indigences fr0!n tima ^-PP'Obation, conaidering a'f bv the Uowrd TK extended to Mr. a rVmark'i^ancalied for." # feel that such Mr. VACHELL poin^rtd oot the oommittee had not Mr. VACHELL poin^rtd oot ',Lat the oommittee had not aDSwered Mr. iuocsaates innu.rv as to whether he was expected to retain V care if the fire-engines. The MAYOR said that Mr. Stoekdale in his letter had nresumed that in future ihey expected him to attend fi nr'v for the protection of life an«property, and not in charge of the fire-engines; vid by their not introverting this presumption, the Coutf«i were to un- 5 ° tan,i that the committee admitted its corfcyctness. att w asked if tbe £ 5°, °i tb6t 8al"^tberto "tf'l Care ol the engines, had not been ta^ off. P9ilr J. L5IB. «iJ. Stockdale stlU hftd 00 Jear clear salary, besides £10 for clothes and X40 for a clerk, and his house. Alderman WATKINS remarked that Mr. Stockdale was an old and faithful servant, and the Board ought to satisfy him that no imputation was cast on him. He was Sensitive to what he considered a reproach. Mr. J. BIRD said the committee had been explicit in declaring that no reproach was intended, and they had pointed out evidence of the good feeling whichexisted toward Mr. Stockdale on the part of the Council. Alderman REECE did not understand that there bad been anything which could be looked on as a re- proach. Dr. TAYLOR asked if it was to ba understood that Mr. Stockdale gave up the charge of the fire engines. The MAYOR replied in the affirmative. In future Mr. Stockdale would attend fires only as he would at any other sort of commotion or disturbance, to preserve peace and repress disorder. Mr. WINSTONE asked if the new fire brigade were ready now to act, in case there was a fire. Mr. BOWEN said he did not consider that Mr. Stock- dale was relieved from any responsibility in regard to fires. No resolution to that effect had been parsed by the Council. He considered Mr. Stockdale had the same duties in regard to fires now as before. The steam fire engine had not come yet, and the brigade were not in action. Mr. VACHELL said this was an important point, and Mr. Stockdale's duties in regard to fires should be clearly understood. Mr. FLINT asked who would manage the new engine ? The MAYOR read a minute of the proceedings of May 13th. last, to the effect that the salary of Mr. Stock- dale for the care of the fire engines should caase from that day." He thought that this plainly relieved Mr. Stockdale from the care of the engines, though Mr. Bowen held that he was Dot relieved. Alderman PRIDE He is relieved of the salary, at any rate. Mr. BOWEN said that the X50 was given, Dot because it was supposed that tlie services of Mr. Stockdale in re- gard to fires were worth that amount, but as a "ay of bringing his remuneration as police superintendent up toJMOOayear. Ibe MAYOR said they were going to have an engineer to look after the new engine and the brigade, and clearly Mr. Stockdale would be relieved from that duty. Mr. BOWEN argued that as far as the resolutions of the Board went, Mr. Stockdale had not been released from any portion of his former duty in regard to fires. Mr. FLINT thought the Council should give a definite answer to the inquiry in Mr. Stockdale's letter. Alderman HEECE said the committee had evidently overlooked that part of the letter, aud the matter should be referred back to them. Mr. BOWEN admitted that for the future the superin- tendent would not have to take charge of the engines so as to keep them in good condition. 0 Mr. WINSTONE inquired whether if a fire took place now there was a brigade existing by whom the engines would be worked or was Mr. Stockdale still to do it. Mr. BOWEN said that Mr. Stockdale would attend the fires, but he would not be in charge of the engines. The report of the fire brigade committee was then read. It stated that 17 candidates had offered them- selves for the position of engineer, and the committee had selected five of the applicants to attend before them. From these five they bad selected John Evans as en- gineer. He was to demote the whole of his time to the duties, to reside within 300 yards of the fire engine house, to be in the house not less than three hours during the day time and also from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at night, unless when on duty at a fire; and when not in the engine Louse he must leave word where he was to be found, and never be absent more than an hour without permission, nor without leaving a competent person in the house in his stead. He was to have the whole charge of the engines, and to be held responsible for everything connected with the apparatus being in good condition; and he was to allow no one but members and persons connected with the brigade to enter the engine house. The MAYOR remarked that the words "not to admit any person except those connected with the fire brigade" would exclude from the engine house even members of the Town Council. Mr. J. BIKD thought otherwise; the members of the Town Council were connected with the fire brigade," as beiug their masters. The words were then altered so as specifically toexcept members of the Town Council. Then it was objected that the phraseology still would exclude the Town Clerk and the Borough Surveyor, or the Superintendent of Police. Words were added, extending the exception to officers of the Town Council.—Mr. WHIFFEN sugges- ted adding and Burial Board and Board of Health." Mr. WINSTONE inquired if it was understood that Mr. Stockdale would continue his services until the fire brigade was in working order. The MAYOR said he would see Mr. Stockdale and pro- vide for that. Mr. VACHELL thought that the Insurance companies ought to be asked to contribute towards the expense the Council were incurring in procuring a steam fire engine and maintaining a fire brigade. Mr. BOWEN said the committee bad not overlooked that point, but they thought it best to get the fire brigade int) proper working order before appealing t,) the Insurance companies for contributions. He moved the adoption of the committee's report. The motion was carried. The Property Committee reported in favour of j ro- ceeding with the repairs of the Town-hall, by days' work, under the superintendence of Mr. Waring, and also of placing lamps of a new pattern in front of the Lail. The report was adopted, and Mr. Waring was directed to proceed with the work directly after the ensuing assizes. THE VACANT TOWN CLERKSHIP. The Finance Committee sent in a report on the duties to be performed by the person to be elected as Town Clerk, to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Grover's resig. nation. The tenour of the report was that the vacant clerkship of the Board of Health should be amalgama- ted with the Town Clerkship that the same person should be clerk of all the bodies comprised in the cor- poration, receiving £ 450 a year salary altogether, and paying his own clerks. He was to be restricted from private practice as a solicitor, to receive a guinea a day allowance when out of town on the corporation business, to receive payment for expenses out of pocket, to keep the office open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all fees what- ever received by tfce officer were to be paid over to the Board. The MAYOR thought the effect of paying over all fees would be that when the Board went to law with anyone, if they lost they would have to pay their own costs and if they won they would net be able to recover costs from the other party, except actual costs out of pocket. Mr. Grover said t iat was the case. Messrs. Luard and Sherley took advantage of his being paid by salary, on an occasion when the Bute Dock bill was post posed, aud the order was that the promoters were to pay costs. He (Mr. Grover) sent in his bill, and they struck out the whole of it except money out of pocket, because he was a salaried officer. Therefore in prescribing the remuneration of the new Town Clerk the Council should expressly allow him to receive costs in all proceedings which he successfully prosecuted in the name of the Council. For instance, if he as Town Clerk successfully prosecuted a captain for throwing ballast overboard into the roadstead, he ought to receive his costs. Recently iu such a case he obtained a conviction, and the court allowed an advocate's fee of a guinea. In such matters, when the amount cost the town nothing, but came out of the pocket of the offending party, the loser, he thought the Town Clerk should be authorised to receive it. The Burial Board and other fees received on account of the Board of course ought to go to the Board, and not to the clerk personally. Mr INGLEDEW asked if the report was unanimously agreed to by the committee. o Alderman PRIDE replied that it was, except on the question of salary. Alderman REECE questioned the propriety of in- quiring whether the committee were unanimous in the report. The MAYOR said it made no difference practically, for the Council bad full power to deal with the report whether it was unanimous or not. Mr. Grover suggested a verbal addition to the report so that the new Town Clerk might be specifically appointed as Clerk of the markets. He observed that under the market Act the corporation were a different body from the Town Council, the Mayor not being the ex officio chairman of the Market Board. This amendment was adopted. Mr. WINSTONE said there bad been a difference of opinion in the committee in regard to the clerkship of the Board of Health. Mr. Alexander and himself thought it would be better that Mr. Stephenson should be appointed clerk of that Board by the Board, than that the new Town Clerk should be the clerk of the Board of Health, with power to appoint Mr. Stepbensoa or any one else as his clerk. He (Mr. Winstone) thought that the selection of clerk of the Board of Health was too im- portant an office for the appointment to be held of any one but the Board itself, which appointed the parish collectors for the Board of Health, and also the deputy under Mr. Waring. They ought also to appoint the deputy under the Town Clerk, and he did not think that Mr. Stephenson would accept the appointment if it came from the Town Clerk and not from the Board. Mr. WHIFFEN suggested that the new Town Clerk might prefer to do the work himself instead of appoint- ing any deputy. Alderman PRIDE said the first question was whether the offices were to be amalgamated. The Board voted on this point, and the amalgamation was carried by the votes of all the members present ex- cept Aldermen Reece and Watkins and Councillors Win- stone and Vachell. After some further conversation, Mr. Grover sug- gested whether the whole detail of specified duties in the report bad not better be omitted, and it be merely aet forth in general terms that the appointee should dis- charga aU tbe duties pertaioing to the office of clerk of each of the Boards. If they undertook Vo specify every Utile detail they would be almost sure to omit some- thing, and there would be a difference about it here- after but if they used general terms there could be no complaint or misunderstanding as to what the officer was to do. Mr. IJJGLEDEW suggested that the duties should be such as from time to time should be prescribed by either of the Boards. Mr. J. Bum pointed out that if this form of words were used the Clerk would not be able to give a muni- cipal notice at a time between two meetings of the Board, on account of his not having received specific instruc- tions in the matter. Mr. INGLEDEW then suggested that the wording should be that the Town Clerk should act as law derk of each of the Boards, and perform all other duties pertaining to the office of Town Clerk. After some further conversation, it was resolved first to decide whether the Towr, Clerk was to be allowed to exercise private practice as a solicit r. The MAYOR thought that if the Board advertised for a Town Clerk, at a salary of £ 450, out of which lie had to pay his own clerks, they could not expect to obtain a person of the requisite ability and standing, if they de- barred him from private practice. They ha 1 a guaran- tee that he would not take such a description of piivate practice as would tnke him out of town, in the provision co.ifiuing him to the office daily from ten to four; but it would be very hard not to allow him to earn some- thing in the evenings if he had the opportunity. Mr. EVANS also was of opinion that the Town Clerk ought to be allowed to have such private practice as would not interfere with his official duties. By allowing private practice they would have a better man. and it did not follow that their business would be neglected because the Town Clerk attended to his own. No man could have done the work of the town better than Mr. Matthews did, and yet no man had a larger practice of his own in the town. Mr. WINSTONE said that Mr. Matthews did not re- ceive any such salary as was intended to be paid to the new clerk-he only had X50 a year. Alderman PRIDE said the opinion of the committee was not to make the Town Clerk give up practice alto- gether, but only that he should not take law cases and business which would take birn all over the country. There was no objection to his cluing a little convey- ancing. The MAYOR thought that it was quite sufficient to con- fine the Town Clerk to his office from ten to four. Mr. J. BIRD said he objected to restricting the Town Clerk, but in deference to the other members of the committee, he withdrew his objection, intending to urge his opinion here. If a conscientious man were ap- pointed Town Clerk under the terms of the clause drawn by the committee, he would not be able even to prepare a conveyance for bis own brother. There would be ninny little things which a solicitor could do to earn money for himself, without at all interfering with his duties as Town Clerk, and which it would not be wise to restrict him from, as they would be no detriment to the town. If the Council expected the entire services of a profes- sional man, they must very considerably increase the salary proposed, and he did not think there was any ne- cessity for that. Mr. EVANS moved, and Alderman Reece seconded, that the new Town Clerk should be allowed to have pI i- vate practice. Alderman WATKINS said if this view had been taken some months ago, tiiere would have been no need of the Council losing Mr. Grover's services. Mr. WINSTONE thought that the Council ought t" have the exclusive services of the new Town Clerk. After paying a clerk or accountant JE150 out of the salary f. r relieving him from the work of the Board of Health, the new Town Clerk would still have a net salary of £ 300 a year, for what Mr. Grover was now doing. it was no great compliment to Mr. Grover, to give his successor £ 50 a year more than he had received. There were lots of clever men in practice as attorneys who did not earn £ -300 a year, even in this town. If the Board were to advertise for a professional man at that salary they would have plenty of applications from men skill,d sufficiently in the profession, from all parts of the kingdom—even first class men. If they doubted this, let them remember the struggle for the office of county constable. Judging by that instance, they might have as applicants for this situation titled men's relatives, men of long standing and high position. It was absurd to think of giving more net salary than £ 300 a yeHr- it would be a boon to many an attorney to give as much. He proposed that the new Town Clerk give his ex.iusive services to the Council. Mr. P. BinD said the committee had fixed on the salary 'of X450 a year on the theory that they were to have the exclusive services of the offiier; and if this condition were altered the salary should be recon- sidered. Mr. INGLEDEW said he was glad that nobody had seconded Mr. Winstsne's proposition. His arguments were simply absurd. He represented that the Council wanted a young attorney who was in need of X300 a year to keep him to subsist; but to suppose that a person of that kind would be fit for clerk of a town of this description was beyond all argument—it was simply absurd. They wanted a man who would perform the duties of the office well and efficiently—one who would retain the office. If they got such a man os that, it did not niaticr how he occupied his spare time. If they wanted to get a respectable man, of competence and character, to give his whole time to the office, thsy would have to give more than the salary proposed. Alderman WATKINS remarked that combining the office of clerk of the Board of Health with the town clerkship would make the office a far more difficult one, and however able the man, all his time would be thoroughly occupied, if he gave the time and attention N'lU;" oct, n-i txmtJ not goo how the Council could adopt one part of the report and reject the other, as the committee had drawn the whole report on one principle, and the salary and amalgamation of offices were mutually mixed up. They should send the report back to the committee for consideration, or adopt the whole as a distinctive proposal. Mr. SPENCER said this was the most important ap- pointment in the gift of the Board. He thought that the party to be appointed should not be restricted from private practice. They wanted in the office one who was not only a man of ability, but a gentleman, to whom they could look up. The capacities of the Mayor might vary from year to year but if they had a good Town Clerk, they would be perfectly safe. In order to secure the services of a gentleman and a man of ability, they must pay a liberal salary, and not restrict him from pri- vate practice. Mr. EVANS'S motion was adopted, that of Mr. WIN. STONE not finding a seconder. The question of salary was then taken up. The MAYOR said the present cast was X400 a year— 1:120 salary of clerk of Board of Health, S20 paid to him for making the rate, and say X5 for fees. Then there was j675 received by the Town Clerk as clerk of the Burial Board, £ 170 as town clerk, and £10 for stationery. Instead of this, it was proposed to pay £ 22-5 to the new Town Clerk as euch, £70 for his being clerk of the Burial Board, £ 5 for being clerk of the Market Commit- tee, and JE150 for being clerk of the Board of Health- total £150. These salaries, in the total, were X50 higher than had hitherto been paid, but it had been considered for some time that the salaries were not enough. Mr. EVANS moved that the total salary be £ 450 in future. Mr. BOWEN seconded the motion. Dr. TAYLOR referred to an inquiry by the Newport Town Council, who bad found that their Town Clerk had received X63 commission from a parliamentary agent for the business of tbe town which was placed in his hands. He wished to know if any such commission was paid on the parliamentary business of this town, and if so, whether the Town Clerk had kept the money. Alderman REECE You may be satisfied it does not go into the pockets of the Corporation. Mr. Grover replied that such a commission would neyer be paid to a Town Clerk, or any one else, by a duly authorised parliamentary agent such as this town had employed. Mr. FLINT asked who was to get the benefit of the cab license money, which he estimated at £75 a year. The MAYOR replied that those, and all fees received by the Town Clerk in an official capacity, were to belong to the Board. Alderman PlUDE added that by this arrangement the Board would receive nearly the extra S.50, so that the new arrangement would amount to nearly the same thing in point of cost as the old. Mr. ELLIOTT said if the Board were going to give R50 more, and allow private practice, he thought they might retain the services of the present Town Clerk, who was a first-rate man. In the name of business sense, why not offer Mr. Grover the increased salary, instead of looking for a new man ? By the course they were tak- ing Mr. Grover would be deprived of the opportunity of applying for the office, though he might be willing to hold it under the new conditions which were being fixed upon. Mr. J. BIRD expressed dissent fram the remark that Mr. Grover would not be able to apply for the situation. The MAYOR said that, having resigned, as a matter of delicacy he could not become an applicant for the office. Mr. ELLIOTT also tbougbtit would ill become Mr. Grover to make aa application for the office. He suggested that instead of getting a new man Mr. Grover be allowed private practice and k.50 a year more salary. Mr. J. BIRD said this was all out of order. The question before the Board was what the salary was to be. J Mr. EVANS understood that X150 was not an actual increase of salary, but that, allowing for the faes beinf handed over, it was much the same as being now paidt The motion of Mr. Evans fixing the salary at £-150 was carried by the votes of all the members excert the following—Alde&men Watkins and Reece, and Coun- cillors Winstone, P. Bird, Elliott, Jones and Clements. Alderman PRIDE suggested a different division of the money as between the various offices; £ 175 for the Board of Health, X70 for Burial Board, X,5 Markets, and X200 Town Council. He regarded the work of the clerkship of the Board of Health as greater than that of the Town Council clerkship. Mr. J. BIRD seconded this division. Mr. Grover said that the amouut set down for Burial Board was not enough, and the appointee would be applying for more. Mr. WiNSTONE If he applies for more, give him more out of the same sum. The Board approved alao of the division, and of that part of the committee's report which, allowed the Town Clerk a guinea a day when absent from tbe town on business, and his expenses out of pocket. Tbey aleo voted to allow him costs in proceedings in which he gained suits for the town; also the cost of stationery and other expenses out of poeket. Alderman WATKINS said if the Board had arranged the matter in this way six months ago, Mr. Grover would have had no occasion to leave them. Mr. WINSTONE sa'd that men who had been Town Clerks had found it the nucleus of a good practice. This would be the case with the new officer, and in pro- portion as he got a greater practice he would be more and more absent from his duties to the corporation. He might be away from the meetings of the Board and committees, and there ought to be a fine provided fur such absences, to compel him to attend. Aldermsn PlUDE said that if the appointee did not attend to the duties the Board could dismiss him. Mr. J. BIRD concurred, saving that the tenure of the office was only during good behaviour. In voting the clause in regard to the fees received being paid over to the Board, Alderman PRIDE re- marked that he would not vote for any man who would not assent to this and the other requirements of the Board in very distinct terms, so that there might be no misapprehension in future. Mr. ELLIOTT said he was opposed to the Town Clerk having private practice, but the Board having decided otherwise, he considered that the best thing they could do was to offer the office to Mr. Grover on tLe new term", and tiiat he would accept it, and this would save fur- the trouble. He moved that the office be tendered to Mr Grover at X400 a year salary. Mr. Grover expressed his sense of Mr. Elliott's in. tended kindness to him, for which he was much obliged but he would not on any account accept the duties of the office for such a salary, and he did not think that the Council would find &ny man, well qualified for it, who would long retain it on those terms. The n^w Town Clerk would not have a net salary of X-300 a year for himself, after paying cleik- and as to private prac. tice, he would have no time for it after discharging the duties requ red by the Council. The resolution was then finally adopted, as amended, to the following effectThat the Town Clerk shall perform all the duties in every way appertaining to the offices of Town Clrrk, Clerk to the Burial Board, Clerk to the Board of Health and Market Cleik, xnd also act as iaw clerk to each Hoard in all matters of every description affecting either of the Boards and provide all necessary clerks and accountants that may be re- quired for those purposes. That the Town Clerk be allowed to accept private practice and receive all pro- fessional fees t > which he may be entitled in any suc- cessful litigation on the part of either of the Boaid-i. That the salary be X450, with all cost-1, charge- and ex. penses ou' of pocket, except payment to deiks, and be apportioned for payment, £ 200 by the Town Council, X175 by the Board of Health, £ 70 by the Burial Board, and Y,5 by the Market Commissioners." The MAYOR said the next question was in what papers the advertisement for a Town Clerk should be pub- lished. Alderman REECE said it would not be necessary to advertise in any but the local papers. It was not worih while to bring a lot of foreigners here looking for the office, as it was tolerably certain that there were partie- in our own town competent to fill the office. This view prevailed, and two inset tions of the adver. tisement in the local papers were orueted, the applica- tions to be considered at the next meeting. WARD AND BOROUGH LIMITS. Mr. INGLEDEW asked the Mayor whether he had not, upon entering upon office'on November 9, lsliO, ex- pressed the intention of endeavouring to promote a divi- sion of the wards. The MAYOR replied that he had not, The mat er to which his remarks referred was the extension of the limits of the borough but this he hoped the Govern- ment had taken out of his hand-. Mr. Waring had, by his wish, prepartd plans rn) t'ngto the matter; out the Government having appointed commissioners under the new Reform Bill to consider the limits of boroughs, he would endeavour t-) have them come here with a view to provide for the extension of this borough. He had no intention of trying to get the wards divided. He had attempted that already on cm occasion, and had found the difficulties so great as to be insuperable. Onj- consequence of it would be that all the members of the Council would have to go out. Mr. J. BIRD I should like to see a good many of them stop out, too. Mr. ELLIOTT moved that Mr. Wiring be instructed to make a ground plan of the property belonging to the Council in Whitmore-lane, which street was now a dis- grace to the town, and a danger to the inhabitants from its narrowness and crowded condition. On Saturday, a drunken man was driven over there, and both his legs broken. All seamen were shipped there—many of tbem apprentices and young men fresh from their parents, and the scenes of vice which they beheld in that vicinity were calculated to give them very demoralising im; fis- sions. That street, as it was, was a frightful nuisance strangers coming into the town either from the docks or the South Wales Railway were liable to get a veiy un- favourable impression ef Cardiff from it; and it was the duty of the Council to pull down the houses they owned there, build decent buildings instead, and do something towards improving and widening the street. The MAYOR said that Whitmore-lane was a nest of in- famy and villainy, but it would be a very serious cost for the Council to undertake to widen it. They would have to buy and remove the whole block of buildings through to Charlotte-street, and for this purpose they would re- quire an Ant of Parliament. As to the crowded condi- tion of Whitmore-lane, it was owing to Caroline-street being re-paved, which diverted all the traffic from that street into Whitmore-lane. In a short time he would be able to lay before the Council a plan for a new street to the docks, which would obviate much of the evil com- plained of. Alderman WATKINS considered that the state of Whit more-lane was a matter which ought to have the serious attention of the Council. Alderman PRIDE said, so it had, many times. Alderman REECE said that if the Council built good houses on one side of the street, the owners of other property there would soon follow the example. The Board should purchase the remainder of the houses on the side of the street on which they already owned property but unfortunately the Custom House stood in the way. Mr. ELLIOTT considered that the Custom House being there tended rather to improve the rtst of the property. The MAYOR said the question of removing the ship- ping office to a point nearer the docks was under the consideration of the Board of Trade, and this would remedy much of the evil referred to by Mr. Elliott. Alderman PRIDE said there was a plan now in the Surveyor's office which showed the property in the lane belonging to the Council. The Council however, adopted Mr. Elliott's motion, directing the Surveyor to prepare a ground plan of the south side of the lane, showing the property belonging to the town. BURIAL BOARD. The Council then resolved itself into a Burial Board and received applications for the office of keeper of the Cemetery, vacant by the death of the Lte occupant. The Cemetery Committee had received numerous applica- tions, five of which they had selected and submitted to the Board. Alderman REECE hoped that none of the applicants selected were old men, or the Board would soon have a pensioner on their hands. Mr. WINSTONE If we have an old man, he can finish his career on the spot. The MAYOR stated that there had been twenty appli- cants. Of the five selected one was disqualified, not being a married man. Mr. BOWEN said the Committie bad selected him because they were assured that he would get married at once if he received the appointment. The Board then, after seeing the applicants, selected Cornelius Hatch, late of Frome, Somerset, for the situa- tion.

SWANSEA.

Advertising

MEKTHYR.

ABERDARE.

TREDEGAR.

COWBRIDGE.d

PONTYPRIDD.

RHONDDA VALLEY.

PENTYRCH.

BRIDGEND.

I'ETn SESSIONS—JUNE 22.

ST. NICHOLAS.