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1 PONTYPRIDD LOCAL BOARD.

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1 PONTYPRIDD LOCAL BOARD. THE BARRY TRAm DIFFICULTY. THE INCORPORATION QUESTION, COUNCILLOR ROBERTS ON THE GLYNTAFF EXTENSION. 1 SCANDALOUS SANITARY CONDITION OF THE TOWN". On Friday last the ordinary meeting oc the Pontypridd Local Board was held under the pre- sidency of Mr. David Leyshoir. The other members present were Messrs. Councillor Roberts, J. Snape. R. T. Richards, M. Hague, J". James. L. G. Lenox,' D. Rowlands, P. Gowan, and'W. W. Phillips. THE BOARD AND THE ITARRY COMPANY. Tha Clerk read a letter from Mr. W. Mein. the secretary of the Barry Company stating- that whilst the opinion of the company remained the same with reference to the running of passenger trains to Pontypridd, the directors would, neverthe- less, continue to give the matter their serious con- sideration. in the hope that they might ultimately be enabled to provide the accommodation asked for as soon as the traffic and:' other circumstances would warrant its permission.—The Board, how- ever, thought that this reply- was also unsatis- factory, and. instructed the-clerk to write again to the Barry Company urging-them to accede to the demands of Pontypridd. THE PROPOSED SBATlGUTER-HOUSE. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. R. C. Edwards with reference to the proposed slaughter-house, in which he stated that he made a survey on the ground, and pointed out a site which he would offer them, but this land had' been let and he would have to obtain the party's consent to ex- change the land.—He also read a letter from Mr. Thomas Reynolds saying that he was disposed to negociate with the Board with reference to the oil works.—It was understood" that the land on the tramroad was not to be purchased.—Mr R T Richards said that Mr. T. Cule was an infant and could not ^sell.—Mr.- Snape pointed out that the Board could obtain a provisional order, and compel the family to appoint trustees—Mr. Richards said that Mrs. Cule wished to be relieved of the responsibility of selling.—Mr. Taylor said this was the best site in town.—On the proposition of Councillor Roberts it was decided that a sub-com- mittee, composed of Messrs. Leyshon, Richards. Rowlan<||, and Taylor, be appointed to interview the interested parties. THE SUBSIDIARY SCHEME OF DRAINAGE. The Clerk stated that he had received letters from Lord Tredegar and the Glamorganshire County Council, whose property would be inter- fered with by the proposed subsidiary drainage scheme. The former offered no objections as long as the Board promised to make good any damage to the banks of the river. The latter, however, wouMfonly consent on certain conditions—namely, that the pipes be placed two feet lower than originally intended, and that they should also be strong enough in case the canal was turned into a will way. Further that the Board should pay £100 to the company each time they crossed their pro- perty, and make good all damages to the banks of the canal. The arrangements were exactly the same as those offered to the Ystrad Sewerage Board.—The Surveyor pointed out that the canal would have to be crossed twice—once in th& present district, and once at Cilfynydd if the area were extended.—Mr. Lennox suggested that the terms be accepted with the exception of the money paid for crossing, which, he thought, should be £100 for both crossings.—Mr. M. Hague seconded, and it was agreed.—The Clerk was aiso instructed to communicate with the Messrs. Thomas and Sons, the proprietors of the private canal to the same effect. A PRECEPT. A call was read of a precept of £ 575 5s. 4d. from the Ystradyfodwg Sewerage Board payable on the 2nd of November.—On the motion of the Chairman, it was decided that a cheque for the same be signed at the next meeting. COMPLAINT FROM RATEPAYERS. A letter was read signed by three ratepayers from the Coedpenmaen district calling attention to a dark and dangerous spot on the Merthyr road. on which there was no lamps, and hoping that the Board would erect one without delay.—Mr. Taylor said there was no lamp with 150 yards to the spot indicated.—Tho matter was referred to the Light- ing Committee. THE RHONDDA ROAD. Mr. Gowan called attention to the fact that the above road was now. being paved by the owners of the property, and he thought they might make ar- I rangements with the contractor to rise the levels so as to meet the requirements for a time. In some places there was as much as two feet of w^ter on the road, and he did not think the cost would exceed £150, and there would he no damage done to anybody's property.—Mr, Rowlands sug- gested that the Board should 111 :t on the spot and make arrangements with the contractor. And it was decided that this should be done, nnd that the Glyntaff Railway and the Berw Bridge be also visited the same day. PENUEL-ROAD IMPROVEMENT. A discussion took place as to who should beay the cost of improvements to Penuel-roa.d. The bill amounted to £81 16s., and the Surveyor said the Board's portion of the same was JE41 168. that, of course included the paving in front of the Congregational Chapel.—The matter wae at last deferred for the consideration of the Finance Committee. THE SURVEYOR'S REPORT. Mr. E. Rees, the surveyor, submitted his report, which stated that Mr. David Griffiths had allowed some of his houses to be tenanted before they had been properly completed. The surveyor had seen Mr. Griffiths, and obtained as an explanation that the people who had lived in the house in question had been turned out qf their previous dwelling, and had no place to go to.—The Surveyor also reported that the Public Works Committee recom- mended certain improvements in the Havcd-road, which were now being carried out.—The same committee had also refused permission to Mr. Parfitt to erect 11 plaughter-house on the side of the same road, because of its narrowness. THE EXTENDED AREA. The Surveyor said he had been up to London to point out to the clerk of Mr. Deacon the boundaries of the proposed extension.—Councillor Roberts moved that the clerk be instructed to write to Mr. Deacon, urging him to have the report ready for submission fto the County Council at their next meeting. And it was decided that this should be done. THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE TOWN. THE INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES REPRIMANDED. Mr. Rowlands, the inspector of nuisances, re- ported that he had visited, among other things, the Graigwen district, and found that Mr. Eli Jenkins had laid a drain, which was a great nuisance to the locality, inasmuch as it approached within 15 feet a well used by the inhabitants.—Mr. W. W. Phillips said this was a grave breach of the bye- laws, and moved that Mr. Jenkins be served at once with a notice to abate the nuisance. The inspector further reported that several houses were insufficiently supplied with water closets, and in some cases the inhabitants of ten houses had to use the same closet. (Sensation.)—The Chairman This is a most serious question. I am surprised that a gentleman, who was once a member of this ¡ Board, should allow such a thing.—Councillor Roberts The same remarks are quite as I applicable to the property owned by the owners of the Colliers' Arms and the Pontypridd Brewery Company.—The inspector said he had served each of the parties with the proper notice.—The Chair- man How long has this state of things been in existence ?—The Inspector For some months, but I refrained from reporting the same because the owners promised that it would be remedied.— Councillor Roberts I really think the inspector should report such matters as these immediately, and not trust to the promises of the owners. It is a strong reflection upon the Board.—Mr. Snape asked if the inspector was certain he had reported all such nuisances, for it struck him very forcibly that the same state of things eaasted in other parts of the town.—The Inspector replied that his time was so much taken up by the complaints he so often received that he could not systematically visit each district.—The Chairman You have been long enough in the service of the Board to know the district well, and I should advise you in. future to report fully and immediately on these matters, for I agree with Mr. Snape that there are a great many places which are not properly served with closets.—Mr. Lennox You should map out a plan for yourself, and visit each district in turn.—The Chairman Yes; we must have the work syste- matically done. and a record kept of the accom- modation of the houses. — Councillor Roberts remarked that it would be a good thing to pass a resolution that the inspector should at once report such matters to the Beard in order that they might back up his reports.— Mr. R. T. Richards said there was a case of typhoid fever at Treforest already, and no wonder. If this state of things continued, and dry weather this state of things continued, and dry weather set in, they knew not what might happen.— Councillor Roberts' motion, seconded by Mr. Tom Taylor, was therefore agreed to.—The Inspector further reported that the inhabitants of some parts of the district threw their ashes into the roads instead of laying them in readiness for the scavenging carts.—Mr. Richards asked if they knew what time the carts came r0-nnd.-Conncillor Roberts Or do the carts go round at the proper hour ?—Mr. Hagtre I don't think they do. It is my belief that nc-t sufficient horses- and carts are kept by the contractor for the work.—Councillor Roberts pointed erat that very s&on the Board wonid have to consider where tipping stations could be obtained.—Mr. Hague said that in gome cases the refuse were tipped on the roadside, and that builders used the same for the construction of houses.—Councillor Roberts Another' very serious breach of the byelaws.—The matter then dropped. THE PUOPA^ED INCORPORATION. A deputation from the Pontypridd Chamber of Trade—consisting of Messrs. H. S". Davies. II. Poreher, R. Rogers, W. Seaton. T. Mayberrv Wil- liams, D. Arnott. Arthur O. Evans, ami' Charles Morgan—waited upon the Board,, to loaeive their anwser to the request of the Clmmbal" that the Board should agitate for the incorporoi-fonofthe town.—The Chairman said that the Board held a special meeting on Wednesday evenings a majority of the members being present, when the question was thoroughly discussed. They were unanimously of opinion that the town would gain in* status and indignity by beimr given a charter of incorpora- tion, but, on the other hand, it considered that the expense of managing public business- would in- crease the rates. Some large public-improvements would have, in the ordinary course of things, to be carried out in the near future, ami the rates would theieby be increased. True, the main sewer was almost completed", but there was the sub- sidiary drainage to be carried out throughout the entire district, while new board-reoms and offices would shortly have to be erected. When the extension of the LoeaP Board district would be accomplished the Board would have to spend con- siderably more money on roads and drains in the new districts than they wuuld receive therefrom for some years, especially so in. the rural part*. The district was Iltrgdyincreasing-, and new pits would probably-soon-Be sunk therein, so that their future was a most promising one. At present, however, having regard to the probable opposition to the project of the rural authority, the Board considered it would be premature to take up the matter in earnest until the extension question would have- been settled. He hoped the in- habitants would be well prepared to support the scheme at an early date, and that meanwhile the Chair her of Trade would make every effort to ascertain the feeling of the district generally.— The Clerk said' he had written to Mr. C. E. Baker, secretary-of the Local Board Association, who re- plied stating that it was understood the Privy Council would not grant a charter to any autho- rity having a less population than 10.000. The probable eost of obtaining the charter depended entirely upon the expense to which the local authority might; go in getting up the petition and in obtaining evidence for the local inquiry. Pro- vided that no great expense was incurred in this direction, and that counsel were not employed, he thought the expenses ought not to exceed ,do. The probable time which would elapse after the pre- sentation of the petition to the Privy Council tiU the result was known would be six months a is feast. If it was proposed to incorporate a larger district than that which formed the present urban* district of Pontypridd. the local authorities of the other portion of the district must concur in the petition, otherwise the course of procedure weuld be either to add to the additional area to the dis- trict of the Local Board by memorial to the County Council, or to apply for the charter of incorpora- tion of the present district, and then apply for an extension of the boundaries. There was no reason why Pontypridd should not apply- for all such powers as might be granted to boroughs with a population of over 20.000, but they should consider the financial aspect of establishing a dis- trict police force for the borough. Although it was considered to be more satisfactory that the borough should have its own police, in most oases the expense was very much less when policed by the county. With regard to the expenses, he (Mr. Baker) thought they might take it for granted that there would be no difficulty in paying them out of the rates, provided, of course, that they were of reasonable amount.—Mr. H. S. Davies, who acted as spokesman for the deputation, said it had been assumed that the question of the extension of the district hud been virtually settled, and it was on that assumption that the Chamber had pro- ceeded. He understood that the County Council would at their next meeting, or the meeting in January, confirm the extension, and if that was so, he considered that the Local Board would be quite in order in proceeding to apply for the incorpora- tion.—Even if the County Council do confirm it, the Local Government Board will have to give their sanction, and we have it on the authority of tho Clerk of the Peace that the extension cannot take place until March. Until then, the Rural Authority will have locus standi to oppose the petition. — Mr. L. Gordon Lennox desired it should be understood that the Board did net pledge itself to do anything. They had simply adjourned the whole thing until such time as the extension of the district had actually taken place. They would then reconsider the piatter. Now they were not unanimously agreed to support it.—Mr. W. W. Phillips Mr. fenhox IS quite right. We are not unanimous on that point. —Mr. H. S. Davies said it was the opinion of the promoters of the scheme that the rates would not bo heavier.—Councillor Roberts Do you con- template allowing the police to remain in charge of the county. 1—Mr. H. S. Davies Yes.—Council- lor Roberts Then I am afraid the Corporation would be a very insipid matter indeed. I entirely agree that the best plan would be to allow the matter, so far as the Board is concerned, to remain in abeyance until the district had been extended.— After some further discussion, the deputation thanked the Board and withedrew. THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE BURIAL BOARD AREA. Mr. Snape called attention to the fact that the Burial Board intended extending their area, and asked the Local Board to instruct their clerk to ask them to stay taking guch proceedings until the incorporation business had been settled.—Mr. R. Rogers (the chairman of the Burial Board) said he had advised that, but had been over-ruled by the majority.—Mr. Councillor Roberts strongly objected to this motion, and said that the people outside the area of the Burial Board suffered great hardships because they had to pay 50 per cent, more than those within the district for bury- ing their de ul. The Burial Board had tried every way to extend their district without going to this expense, but the Secretary of State had stood in the way. Thoy should also remember that all the large owners of property and all the works were without the area of the Burial Board, and there- fore could not be rated. Besides, the question of enlarging the cemetery was becoming a serious one, and unless they took means to obtain more land (by compulsory powers if necessary) at once the value would considerably increase. — Mr. Snape But why spend £600 now. Wait until the incorporation takes place.—Councillor Roberts (indignantly) We have spent more than £800 for the legal expenses of this Board, and vet you did not grumble. (Cries of "Order.")-The Chairman We have no time to deal with that now.—Mr. Snape's motion was then seconded by Mr. Rowlands and carried. PENUEL SQUARE. Mr. R. Rogers, on behalf of the members of the Penuel Methodist Chapel, called attention to. the insufficient draining of surface water in Penuel- square. and said that the water was often very deep on the road at that place during rainy weather, and many chapel-goers wetted their feet. The water also found its way into the vest-v. and caused con- siderable inconvenience.—The Board promised to meet on the spot and attend to the matter on the following Tuesday.

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BRIDGEND BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

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BARRY (l",f).) SCHOOL BOARD.