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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PAVING…

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PAVING COM- MISSIONERS AND TOWN COUNCIL. A Meeting of the above bodies, both in their capacities of Paving Cotnmissnners and Town Councillors, was held yester- day (Thursday) at the Townlwli. The following gentlemen were present:—The Alavor in the Chair, Mr. Vivian, M.P., Mr. John Grove, Mr. M. J. Michael, Mr. n. Edwards, Mr. G. B. Morris, Mr. G. Rime, Dr. Bird, Mr. Glover, Mr. T. Edw. Thomas, Mr. R. Walker, Mr. Aubrey, and Mr. Dawe. The M'A YOR, having taken the Chair, stated that he had directed notices to be issued, calling a meeting of the Council and the Paviug Commissioners, in consequence of having received a note from the Town Clerk, by which lie was informed that, in the suit of Wollers v. The Corporation of Swansea, the Clerk h ,d received an attachment, issued against the Council, from the Court of Chancery. Though the action related to the Commissioners' affairs, still, as it was brought against the Council, he thought it advisable to have called a meeting of that body also. He had written to their Clerk, requesting him to attend, as his legal advice and assistance would be required, but he (the Ma^or) did not observe that he was present. Mr. SKINMiR, who attended for the Clerk (Mr. Geo. Thomas) said, that it was Mr. Thomas's inten'ion to have been present, but hi* supposed he must have been detained in consequence of M rs. Thomas's continued illDess. Mr. MICHAEL said he had latply seen the Clerk at Milford, and had spoken to him upon the subject of this meeting. The MAYOR: Really, he ought to have been present. Mr. AnDREY observed, that he had been told that the best conrse to he adopted in this case would be, to put in an appearance to the action, or something of the kind. Mr. SKINNER the representative of Mr. Geo. Thomas, begged to state, that an appearance had been put in, but no answer had been put in, which he thought had belter not be done, as the Commissioners had no substantial defence to make. In the bill, they were charged with having misapplied their funds, by using them for various purposes contrary to the provisions of the Act of Parliament. The MAYOR said, that the only answer they could give was, that they had no funds to liquidate Mr. Walters's demands. If Mr. Walters took the rates from their hands, his difficulties would be great, as he could not act legally without collecting every rate. Mr. SKINNER :-Will you allow me to observe, that it is not an attachment that has been issued, but a distringas against your goods and chattels. Mr. GROVE :—We will only get deeper into the mire by putting in an appearance, for we have no defence—we are gtiilty-tljere is a true bill against us. The MAYOR and Mr. WALKER again made some observations upon the circumstance ol the Commissioners having no legal adviser present. Mr. VIVIAN said, that it appeared to him, if they had no good grounds for resisting the payment—if they had no defence to make, they might as well throw away money over the pier as put in an answer. Mr. AUBREY stated, that he had paid considerable attention to the affairs of the Commissioners, and the great evil was, that, at these meetings, each proposed his own nostrum, and, like too nmny eouks about tlw.broth, they became quite bewildered. If a Committee of two or three active members were Hp pointed, would arrange and simplify the accounts, he thought they were not so far gone, but that they could get over the difficulties under which the Commissioners laboured. He was also strongly of opinion, that a new Act of Parliament should he obtained, by which greater powers would be conferred upon them, and enable them to render much property available which was not so at present. He alluded to the slaughter-houses and other property. Mr. VIVIAN agreed with Mr. Aubrey that the difficulties of the CominisHsioners were not so great as represented. Their debts might amount 106,9001., to which might he added 1,0001. for various liabilities, which would make 1:0ool., which they might borrow, or for which Mr. Walters might be induced to take a bond. The annual interest it 5 per cent. would be 3501. To which let there be added 3001. for gas, and 2501. for scavenger- ship making the whole of their expenses about 9001., while the rates would Droduce 1,2001. Mr. AUBREY The gas costs about 4501 Mr. VIVIAN was of opinion, that there would remain a balance of 3001. for the general purposes of the Commissioners, besides anv assistance they might get from the Town Council. Mr. MICHAEL observed, that the great and radical error ap- peared to be in the collection of the rales. They would never get out of their difficulties until a better and more business-like method of collection would be adopted. He had no hesitation is saying that the rates were very badly collected, and that great injustice was perpetrated, and until Ihe, were more regularly collected, the Commissioners would always remain in a dilemma. The MAYOR, after a few observations from Mr. Aubrey ex. pressive of his conviction that an Act conferring additional powers upon the Commissioners ought to be obtained, observed, that one power the Act should give, was—to empower the Town Surveyor to compel the proprietors of all new buildings to con- struct sewers from those houses communicating with a main aewer to be constructed by the Commissioners. Mr. T. EDW. THOMAS entirely concurred in the observations which fell from the Mayor, and referred to the state of the road 10 Mysyddfields, where the water flowed into the bouses from the absence of anv drainage. Mr. AUBREY stated that the Manchester Paving Commissioners, with whom he had been for many years connected, would not grant property, or allow any party to build a row of houses unless be would form a proper street with curbing and drains. After some further conversation upon the subject of proper se- werage, Mr. MICHAEL reminded the meeting that the question before them was, how to get themselves extrIcated from the dilemma with regard to the distringas which had been issued. Mr. GROVE thought that the most effectual plan would be to appoint a Committee as proposed by Mr. Aubrey. Another great object was, the better collection of the rates, for without rates the Commissioners cooldnever proceed. The MAYOR then read a statement of the expenses of the Com- missioners, by which it appears that the debts were 56001., to .which were to be added 0021. arrears of interest, and 2251. the amount of tradesmen's bills, making 827/. besides. All the bills had not been sent in, consrquently, he thought they might be estimated at 1000/ or more. There was nothing to be done which would ineur any great expense, with the exception of 2001. to be applied to the improvement of the market place. It should also be borne ioinind that much assistance could not be expected from the Town Council. The Mayor then referred to the ex- penses which would be incurred by the Council in making the contemplated improvements in the Townhall, and in the police- station, and after going over various items of expenditure, he observed, that previous to 1836, there existed a power of levying a fourpennv rate, in addition to the shilling rale. These diffi- culties appeared 10 have commenced since the discontinuance of that rate. The question was, whether the rate-payers of the town would consent to pay a temporary fourpenny rate until the ConimisOToners got It air present dilficnitie*. Mr. WALKER would certainly oppose that proposal, because they now paid aocording to tbe rack-rental, whicu was not the case when the fourpenny rate was levied. The trade of the town was not in a state to bear an additional rate. The MAYOR suggested the propriety of convening a public meeting. to which rate-payers onlv should be admitted, and before whom the Commissioners should Stale their position. If the Commissioners made a request to tbit effect, he (the Mayor) wonld forthwith call the meeting. Dr. BIRD thought it would be decidedly inexpedient to call the rate-payers together until a copy of the Bill, for which they proposed to go to Parliament, should be submitted to them. The rate-pavers would then be in a position to ascertain what powers the Commissioners applied for, and they could decide whether the Bill suited them. or whether it would require alteration Mr. MICHAEL said, that some months ago he made suggestions relative to the necessity of publishing the Commissioners' ac- counts, so that if the town should be called together, they might be informed to what purposes their money had been applied. He knew that many persons entertained suspicions that the money WItII not property expended. — Mr. Michael then moved the fol. lowing resolution, which was seconded by Mr. WALKER, and carried unanimousl,) That as many accounts as may be un- published between the Paving Commissioners and the public, he at once printed and published iu the usual way, and that tlieClerk is hereby desired to carry the resolution into immediate effect." A general conversation took place relative to the time at which the accounts should be produced, and who was the party to be held responsible for their correctness. It was agreed that the accounts shoutd be ready against the monthly meeting on Wed- ucsday next, and all the members were of opinion that the Clerk was the responsible party, though the accounts were made up by Mr. F. D. Michael or any other accountant who assisted him (the Clerk). The MAYOR again reminded the meeting, that they had oometo 110 decision respecting the attachment which had beeu received, and he did not know where was the party to whom to applv for legal advice. Mr. SKI iii NER Will you allow me to make a few observations. — [A COMMISSIONER Yes, )e», yon are the man we want (Ii laugh],—You can make no defence to this action. By so doing jou will only involve yourselves in additional expenses. You will incur an expense of SOl. in putting in the answer, and if Tou proceed much further, the ex|>enses will amount to 200/. Mr. Walters's claim is an honest claim, and you cannot resist it in law or equity. You have, genttemfn. misappropriated your funds contrary 10 the provisions of the Act. By the course which has already be. n adopted, you have expended only 61. It is not an attachment that has been received but a distringas. The MAYOR Why were we not informed of that before. Mr. SKINNER made some reply, which to us was inaudible. Mr. WALKER observed, there was a gent eman present (Mr. Tripp, solicitor), who was himself a rate payer. He proposed that his opinion and advice should be asked Mr. TRIPP said, he should feel happy in answering any specific question. Dr. BIRD then asked Mr. Tripp's opinion with regard to the best course to be pursued respecting the suit pending in Chancery. Mr. TRIPP said he was confident the Commissioners had no defence to make to the action still, he would recommend their putting in an answer, for. in the event of their not doing so, they would in the next place be served with a process to force an answer, and evenluallv the rates, &c., would he taken entirely out of their hands. The Commissioners had but two courses to pursue; either lo compromise the matter with Mr. Walters, or put in their answer. He could not state the amount of costs which would be incurred, nor enter into innny particulars, as ho had not seen the bill, but its object was not only to sntisfv Mr. Walters, but also all the other creditors, and to compel the Com- missioners 10 curry out the Act of Parliament. The expences in- curred in the various stages of the Bill in Chancery would be enormous, snd tbeJ would find the expences increase at every step Mr. AUBREY expressed 11111 illiiigness to submilt to additional taxation until the Commissioners were out of their difficulties but the question was whether the Rate payers would do so. 1 Mr. GROVE thought the town was not in a state to bear more taxation. Much might be effected to relieve the Commissioners by a better mode of collection. Mr. GLOVER suggested that a Committee should be appointed, for the purpose of conferring with [Hr. Wallers, and endeavour to effect a compromise. Mr. TRIPP doubted whether Mr. Walters was in a position to compromise the matter, as lie acted not for himself alone, but also for other creditors. After a conversation, during which all Ihe Commissioners evidently felt themselves quiet at fault," it was agreed,— Thai the Mayor, Mr. Vivian, M.P., and Mr. Aubrey, be ap- pointed a Committee to meet Mr. Walters, who represents the creditors, to endeavour to effect an arrangement for the bonding of the present debts, or an} other mode of paying the present arrears of interest. Dr. BIRD then proposed,—"That Mr. W. H. Smith be re- quested to prepare a new bill for the paving and lighting of the town of Swansea and that a Committee, consisting of the Mayor, Mr. Vivian, Mr. Glover, Mr. Aubrev. and Mr. Michael, be ap- pointed to have the resolution carried out, in order that the said bill be had before the meeting of rate-payers, to he called an.) consulted on the subject."—He (J)r B) named Mr. Smith, as he was perfectly conversant with all the affairs of the Commis- sioners. Mr. GLOVER seconded the resolution, which was carried rem. con. The MAYOR then asked what legal adviser could he apply to, as he could not hold himself responsible for all the projects ne- cessary to be adopted relative to the actions at law, &0. The Mayor also read a letter from Mr. Chadwick, the surveyor of taxes, applying for 81. 3s. 4d., Income-tax. Mr. AUBREY said, that it had been frequently ruled that the incomes of public bodies, out of which no profit could be derived, ¡, were not liable to the Income-tax. Several members were of opinion the surveyor would leadily remit the amount. Alter some further desultory conversation, the meeting sepa- rated, having sat an hour and a half, t

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