The Cambrian

SWANSEA TOWN COUNCIL. A monthly meeting of the members of the Council "Was held on Wednesday. There were present-W. J. Rees, Esq. (Mayor), Aldermen W. Thomas and E. Rice Daniel; Councillors R. D. Burnie, David Meager, R. Martin, W. Williams, A. Mason, Dr. Rawlings, William JHchardf, Henry Maliphant, Laurence Tullocb, Thomas -Freeman, J. Cady, J. Lewis, James Jones, R. Martin, David Thomas, and T. Trew. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con- nrmed. The Mayor had a very serious announcement to make. They would obstrvethat he had not his chain of office on. He was sorry to say he had been obliged to pawn it, but they need not fear, he would soon redeem it. It had been lent tj the Colonial Exhibition at Birmingham, the promoters of which had desired to have it along with those of other corporate towns. WATCH COMMITTEE. At a. meeting of the Watch Committee held 011 Tuesday, 31st August, Mr. Councillor H. A. Chapman in the chair, the pay to the police for the month was reported to amount to £ 572 Os. 4d„ as against £55! 5s. 3d. in the corresponding period of 1885. During the month of August 115 public gas lamps were reported out," and three gratings, &c., reported dangerous. The Town Clerk was directed to request the Gas Company to replace the defective burners in several ordinary lamps in the Borough, and to call the Company's attention to the great number that are being reported out." Fourteen stray dogs were impounded by the police during the month, and of this number six have been claimed and three destroyed. A tire occurred at the Prince of Wales Dock on the 13th inst., whicn resulted in the destruction of a large wooden shed containing valuable timber. The Heid Constable was authorised to pose of the large tire extincteur, and to purchase small ones 10 lieu thereof. The Mayor moved the minutes of this committee. The Council would observe that there was nothing of great importance which would require any remarks from him, except with regard to the gas lamps. He hoped the police would give m -1"e attention to them. lie found that a large number of public lamps had been out. This, of course, meant money to the Corporation, and he hoped Capt.iin Colquhoun would bring it before the police. Councillor Mason seconded. Mr W. Richards also referred to the non-lighting of gas lamps. He bad himself seen three lamps out at Cwmbwrla, which, on enquiry, he found had not been reported by the police. If this occurred all over the borough it would be serious. He therefore thoped the police would be more careful tj report these lamps which were out. The minutes were then adopted. PROPERTY AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Property and General Purposes Com- mittee, held on Monday, 30th August, Mr. Alderman E. Rice Daniel in the chair, a letter was read from Mr. Edward Dun- Stan, requesting to be allowed three years free of ground rent on account of tbe expensive nature of the land leased to him in Bymmons-street. The Committee are, however, unable to accede to the application.—A letter was read from the Public Library Committee requesting the Corporation to wainscot the walls of the Art Galleries to a height of seven feet from the floor, and to tone down with colour the wall spaces above that height. The matter was referred to the Estate Superintendent, who was directed to confer with the Architect and report thereon to the next meeting.—The report of the Estate Superintendent on the progress made with the Free Library buildings was read, from which it appeared that everything will be completed by about the 4th October next.—It was resolved that Mr. F. F. Hosford be allowed a sum of £10 in payment of certain ex- penses incurred by him in connection with the application to the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, for a grant in aid of the furniture and fittings for the Public Library premises. Mr. Hosford attended the Committee and submitted forms of requisition to the authorities of South Kensington for different articles required for the fitting up of the School of Art, the cost of which is estimated at £-)00, and towards which the Government is expected to contribute about £:360, and the Mayor and Town Clerk were authorised to sign the forms in the name and on behalf of the Corporation.—A letter was read from Mr. Charles Norton, enquiring if the_ Corpora- tion would grant an extension of the lease to Messrs. Nichol- son of property on the Strand, which expires on the 29th Sept- ember, 1892, at a reduced rental. The Committee are unable to entertain the question. — The report of the Estate Superintendent as to the retaining wall in Carmarthen- road was received, and he was authorised to expend a sum of £ 10 in trimming and sowing with grass seed the slope of the ground above the retaining wall in front of Waun Weu- terrace.—A letter was read from Mr. John Coke Fowler re- questing the Corporation to sanction the removal of certain trees along the Glanmor-road which interfere with the view from his residence The Hill," and the Town Clerk and Estate Superintendent were directed to confer with Mr. Fowler upon this matter, and to again mention the subject to the Com- mittee.—It was resolved that the premises in Orange-street, formerly in the occupation of the Public Analyst, be let to Mr Howard on a monthly tenancy, at a rental of £ 28 per annum. An application from Mr. Edward Bath, architect, for an additional piece of ground in Alexandra road, containing 23 feet in frontage and 85 feet in depth, was considered, and it was resolved that this plot, containing 217 square yards, be leased to Mr. Edward Bath for a tenii of 99 years, at a rental of -SO per annum, power being reserved to the lessee to acquire the fee simple at any time within the next 10 jears, upon payment of 25 years' purchase.-It was resolvod that a piece of land in Hewson.street, containing 32 feet in front and 85 feet in depth, be leased to Messrs. W. and B. Bennett for 75 years, at an annual rental of £4.-Plans were submitted by Mr. Edward Bath for a shop and premises proposed to be erected upon land in High-street, recently leased to Mr. A. Westacott, and now the property of Mr. Auckland, and the same were approved.—The Estate Superintendent was author- ised to expend a sum not exceeding £14 in altering the bars in front of the butchers' stalls in the Oxford.street Market.—At a meeting of the Committee, held on Monday, 6th August, Mr. Alderman Edward Rice Daniel in the chair, Dr. Walters, of Llansamlet, attended on behalf of the inhabitants of Llansamlet, and the question of the recent proceedings before the Borough Magistrates in con- nection with the right of way across the Great Western and Midland Railways at Llansamlet was discussed. The Com- mittee, believing that a right of way had already existed at the point of dispute, instructed the Town Clerk to .appeal against the Magistrates' decision.-The Estate Superintendent's report on the proposal of the Free Library Committee to wain- scot the walls of the Art Gallery was received, and the Com- mittee recommend that a sum of £130 be expended in match- boarding the rooms to a height of seven feet and in painting the walls. A report was also submitted showillg the amount expended on the buildings and the amount required to complete the same, from which it appeared that the total cost of the buildings' will be £ 15,500. The amount sanctioned by the Treasury for this purpose is jE13,500, and the Committee hopes in addition to receive from the Science and Art Department at South Kensington a substantial contribution towards the cost of the buildings.—The question of the opening of the Public Library Buildings was discussed, and it was suggested that the ceremony should take place on Thursday, the 21st October next. The Committee are desirons that the opening ceremony should be worthy of the occasion, and they there- fore recommend that in view of the requirements of the case the salary of the Mayor be increased to £400. It is proposed to ask the Lord President of the Committee of Council on Education to perform the opening ceremony.The Estate Superintendent was authorised to expend the sum of JE10 in fencing the land adjoining St. Helen's-road, near the Baths and Laundry premises, and the School Board is requested tc fence in that portion recently agreed to be leased to them, so .soon as the necessary legal arrangements are completed.-An account amounting to £2-)0 was ordered to be paid to Messrs. Thomas, Watkins and Jenkins in connection with the erection of a wall at Mount Pleasant. Mr Alderman E. R. Daniel proposed the adoption of the repoit of the committee. He said he was glad to be able to say that satisfactory progress was being made towards the completion of the Free Library building. The committee had taken into consideration a communi- cation with regard to this building, and recommended that the sum of B130 be devoted to wainscoting with wood the wall of the Library to the height of 7 feet from the floor, and toning down the walls. A letter had been received from Mr NortoD, solicitor, on behalf of the Messrs. Nicholson, for an extension of their lease on the Strand. The committee had no objection to extend the lease provided it was upon an increased rental, but when it was proposed to decrease the rental, then the commit- tee could not recommend its adoption. The committee was glad to be able to report that a tenant had at last been found for the premises formerly used by the Public Analyst in Orange-street. The committee had been blamed for not letting those premises at a rental of jB25 a year, but a larger rent had now been obtained, which shows that the committee were right in their former decision. The committee reported that another portion of Alexandra-road had been let for building, and the committee was anxious to hold out every encouragement for the letting of that ground, so that it should become remunerative. With regard to the opening of the Free Library buildings, which the committee had fixed for Thursday, the 21st October, the committee were desirous of making the opening day worthy of the town, and they recommended that the sum of jB400 be added to the Mayor's salary for the purpose of decorating the town providing fireworks and other purposes. Taking into' .account the large sum of money which it was proposed to spend on the occasion, it was unanimously recom- mended that the sum of JMOO should be added to the Mayor's salary. Mr Alderman Daniel then proposed the adoption of the minutes. Mr. J. Cady, in seconding the adoption of the report, remarked that the Council could not too strongly exer- cise and carry out the resolution of the committee with regard to protecting the interests of the residents of Llansamlet. The way in which the workmen of that and other districts had been treated by two large public companies did not, to say no more, reflect creditably Upon them. The Corporation should exercise parental care in this matter, and enforce the right of way on be- half of these working men and the public generally, either over or under these two railways. The resolution of the committee, therefore, ought to be carried out. He hoped the opening of the Free Library would be marked with a demonstration which would show the im- portance and status of the town. Although the com- mittee proposed to add this sum to the salary of the Mayor, still it must be apparent that that amount would not cover all. The Mayor, however, had said, Give me the amount named, and I will pay the remainder, what. ever it is." Mr. James Jones said that at the committee meeting at which this matter was considered, the sum of JE350 was stated to be sufficient, but certain gentlemen bad named £400. He should like to know why. Mr. R. Martin said he should be glad to move an amendment to this voting of JE400, if he thought he could secure the votes of the Council. He could quite under- stand the Council spending a sum of money when the town would be benefitted thereby, or if they could there- by advertise the town, such, for instance, as the opening cf large public docks, a railway, or any great public un- dertaking • but spending so large a sum as £ 400 at the present time for mere feasting or gala was a waste of money. Nothing was to be gained by advertising the opening of this Free Library because everybody in the town would know all about it. It would only be a f • of a few persons. When they all knew how aimcult it was to collect rates at the present time; when ratepayers complained that they could not possibly pay tne rates; then, in his opinion, it was not right that they should spend so large a sum as JE400 for the glorifi- cation of a few. Speaking on behalf of some of the rate- payers, he said they could not afford to spend this sum, and he strenuously opposed the motion Mr. William Williams asked that the Mayor inform £ £ u«10 how.'lt wa.s ProP°^ to spend this money. Mayor, in reply, said it was intended to invite the Jt*reeident of the Council of Education down to the ceremony There were good reasons for adopting this course, although it was not prudent to publicly state taose reasons. Having regard to the movement which -was being made towards obtaining Xuade from the Government for a Technical College for Swansea, it was important that they should invite certaia gentlemen t) visit the town, so that they might have the opportunity of seeing the town and district. Then. it was intended to invite the whole of the Friendly Societies to take part in the opening ceremony; the mdina of the district, and the whole of the voluuteeis. Then there were the decorations and the illuminations of the town, fireworks in the Cwmdonkin Park. Then there would have to be barricades around the building, pUttorcis for the speakers, &c. the lowering the ground opposita the buildin<* to prevent accident; then there would be some printing required, and other expenses which would amount to a large sum. So far as he was personally concerned, he had no wish or desire to have any control over the money at all, but to entrust it to a committee. Whether the Council recommended the spending of any money or not, be should do what he intended. He should give a ball iu the evening to the visitors, &c. He should also give teas to the school children and provide means that they should also see the fireworks. He was anxious to make the occasion worthy the status and im- portance of Swansea. They were about to inaugurate these very fine buIldmgs-the finest buildings in the town, if not, indeed, in South Wales. Mr. Burnie said he felt the force of the observations which had been made by Mr. Councillor Martin as to the depression of trade and the difficulty of collecting the rates. At the same time they should remember that this is not merely a Free Library, but a School of Art, and ) an Art Gallery, &c., and it was quite possible that many gentlemen in the town and district had valuable pictures, &c., which they would lend to the Fine Art committee, and place them in the Art Galleiy. Then it was pro- posed that the President of the Council of Education should be invited to come down to the town. These things were the means of bringing Swansea inta notice and recognition. He had always been sanguine that if they still kept on pegging away they would obtain a grant for a Technical College for Swansea. He thought they should certainly do everything in their power to bring Swansea more to the front than it was, and he believed the opening of this Free Library, the School of Ait and Science, and the Art Gallery should be made the occasion of a little public demonstration. Dr. Rawlings said that if Councillor Martin would embody a resolution he would support it. There was no parallel between the opening of the Free Library and the opening of the New Dock. There might have been need of an expenditure of money in 1881, but to spend money now in the sensational way they had heard described seemed to him a most unwise proceeding. It was not helpful to the work they had in view, and be hoped, in the interests of the town, it would not be carried out. He did not think that a quiet educational agency should be opened amid a blaze of excitcment. He would rather see the £400 given towards the fund for establishing a Technical College. Councillor Martin moved, as an amendment, that tie words and they therefore" in the third line to £ 400 in the fourth be omitted. Dr. Rawlings seconded. Councillor Freeman looked upon this as a lar^e sum w money. It bad been given out tb;,t the Mayor in- tended to entertain certain high officials in his puolic capacity, so that was out of the question. But he raised objection to the spending of money for fireworks in Cwm- donkin Park, for Park Llewelyn would not be similarly used. Again, the Friendly Societies would doubtless come out on this occasion without receiving any money from the Corporation. He trusted there was enough loyalty in fie inhabitant of the town to prompt them to decorate t.ieir streets and houses at their own cost. As to the question of preparing for the public accomraoda- tion, he took it as the duty of the Property Commit:ee, without having anything added to the Mayor's salary. He remembered that at the tme the Prince of Wales came here there was a great agitation in the tjwn because of the addition to the Mayor's salary that year. And this occasion was infinitely less than that. He thought the resolution should be altered in such a way as to authorise the Property Committee to carry out all requirements. Councillor William Williams said it became a question in the present depression of trade whether it would not be policy to spend some money to obtain other things of greater value. There would be excitement in the tjwn, and in excitement people would give what they would not in cooler moments. If they were going to have a grand day, money would have to be spent, and they were given to understand that the Mayor was going to do something during the day or eveniug. The Property Committee were bound to look after the protection of the people assembled together on that day. There would be no difficulty in arranging for the extra police; it would be quite in the power of the Council to pay them for their duty. Then there would be no cost to the public for the Volunteers and Friendly Societies. He would like to make it a day to attract important people into the town. Councillor Cady remarked that if anything was to be done on this occasion, money would have to be spent; otherwise it would have to be left to the Mayor to do something in the evening. It was distinctly stated in committee that the Friendly Societies would require some compensation for the taking out of their banners, etc. It was also stated that to bring down some extra police would require the expenditure of money. The bands engaged to play would have to be provided with refreshments. So that altogether these several items would mount up to a large sum and, as the Mayor had suggested, the better way would be to hand over the money to the committee, who, of course, would stop at any given point. Councillor Jones did not see why the Mayor should suggest giving B50 to the Friendly Societies. He had to do with societies for many years, and never a penny Lad been given to them in this way. If £ 200 would do he would vote for it, but he could not voie for £ 400. Tf the Council could get these influential gentlemen down, well and good; but he did not see the necessity for spending all this money. Alderman Daniel endorsed all that had fallen from Mr. Burnie and Mr. Cady. If £200 would do, no more would be spent. A great deal had been said about economy. The whole amount would only make a ra.te of a faithing in the pound. Mr. Meager said half a farthing. It would bring Swansea to the notice of people who had never heard of Swansea. The Mayor would already have tj put his hands deeply into his pockets, and he could not be expected to do more. They must advertise the town and get strangers to it. They did not know what they may get in the shape of a Technical College by doing this. Mr. Williams asked whether Councillor Martin was going to withdraw his amendment. Mr. Martin replied in the negative. The Mayor said that the Committee discussed the matter as to whether it was desirable that some demon- stration should be made. Alderman Daniel asked him whether he thought £350 would clear it. He said be did not know, but aft;r going over the matter with Captain Colquhoun they calculated the expenses at £360. Alder- man Daniel then observed that they had better ask for a vote of £400. The vote was asked for, therefore, so that the Committee might carry out what their wisdom prompted. It was nothing to him what was spent. (Hear, hear.) He would do what he had stated whether the Council did anything or not. If they asked distinquished people tj come here, they would have to shew them honour. Councillor Lewis thought that the Committee had gone thoroughly through the matter. But it was in the hands of the Committee to spend the £-100, and tney would not spend more than was necessary. Alderman Thomas sympathised with what had been said on both sides. The Mayor had suggested that St. Helen's Field should be opened on the same day. If they had a grand day here people would be down from all parts of the neighbourhood. But he had seen enough of fireworks, of fea ting, and of speechifying. Councillor Meager remarked that although the sum of J6400 were put down it might not all be spent. If a thing was worth doing it was worth doing well. The poor would reap benefit from this affair. The Mayor had promised to give the poor children tea in the market, and they certainly would appreciate it. He supported the vote. The Deputy Town Clerk stated that some of the money the Council might like to spend could not be spent except by increasing the Mayor's salary. The Mayor Let it be an understood thing. I shall ask the General Purposes Committee to assist me in carrying this out, and that any money not spent shall be handed back to the Treasurer. Councillor Trew said that if the Council eliminated from the £400 the actual amounts which the various Committees were bound to spend it would bring it down to about J6200. The impression seemed to be that this money was in some way or other to benefit his Worship, but it was a foolish thought. In his opinion the expenditure of JE50 or JE60 for fireworks was not required. „ J>B?'>TLing8 wished ifc to be understood that he did f No no "J6 moDey was goin8 t0 benefit the Mayor. The Mayor explained that fireworks had been suggested in order that the people, who would have nowhere to7o should be kept out of public-houses and taverns (Hear' hear, and laughter.) ittear> Councillor Martin's amendment was put to the meet- ing and rejected. Councillor Williams moved an amendment, of which he had just given notice, to the effect that after the word "occasion" in the third line of the minute be added and that the General Purposes Committee be requested to do all that is necessary to add to the success of the opening, and that they be empowered to spend a sum not exceeding £ 200." Councillor Freeman seconded. He could not under- stand why the work could not be done without adding to the chairman's salary. When the Prince of Wales came here the cost of barricading and of the policewas paid bv the various committees which dealt with them. 'mrScZmittee weld hav. to pay other expenses, and so on.. ^8ESNK?.0& ment should be legalised by adding to it the words and that the Mayor's salary be increased by that amount. Councillor Williams consented.. Councillor Martin asked whether the £200 would be 10 addition to the expenditure spoken of as being in the province of the various committees to pay. Councillor Williams answered in the negative, ana Councillor Trew in the affirmative. Councillor Mason said that if they allowed other com- mittees to spend money they would never know what had been spent. He would support the increase of £400. The Mayor, in putting the amendment, asked the Council derisively, if it would not be better as they thought so little of their town, not to spend anything at all. The amendment was lost. Councillor Richards, referring to the retaining wall at Carmarthen-road, thought that the £10 would be thrown away. If they Bpent money in raising a wall three feet higher it would be better. Something would have to be put there, for at present the stones were falling down out to the road. Councillor Mason, speaking to the minute dealing with the Swansea Market, said that some months ago an expenditure was authorised on some part of the market, and he then raised the question of how much was being done for the general benefit of the market. Councillor Meaner said that having received complaints, he brought the matter before the Property Committee, who then passed this resolution. Other parties spoke to him with regard to the covering in the market. Councillor Trew, referring to tie Llansamlet light of way, sympathised with the remark made by Councillor Cady respecting the accommodation that had been denied to workmen. But he did not see why they should com- mence a law-suit with two powerful companies a't r the clear opinion expressed by t ie Stipendiary. It appeared to him that although originally there exi.t ;d a right of way, yet that right of way had been lost to the public through the powers acquired by the Railway Companies. Would not a wiser course he to appoint a committee to wait upon the Companies aud see whether an amicable arrangement could not^ be arrived at ? He begged to move that before appealing against the Magistrate's de- cision, as recommended, a committee be appointed to wait upon the Railway Companies and see if an finauge- ment could be come to to provide suitable accjmmoda- tion. Alderman Daniel replied taat the matter had been left in the hands of the Town Clerk. He would promise them the matter should not co into law without consideration being given it, ° The Mayor: We have to enter aa appeal within "a certain time after the decision. Councilor Lewis: I should not like to go int j litigation, but it is unfa'r for the men in the district. Alderman Daniel said that with regard to Mr. Dunstan and the Symmons-street propeity, be applied for three yaars instead of six moct IS. There was no parallel between him and Mr. Jewel, for one had a lease on a single house and the other on nine houses. As to Car- maithen Road, there were several things proposed to be done, and it was decided that the ground can be levelled and sown with seed. People who lived in the district could make small flower-beds and no doubt grow splendid roses. (Laughter.) The original minutes were adopted, the vote of jS400 addition to the Mayor s salary being thereby agreed to. WORKS AND SANITARY COJIUITEEE. At a meeting of the Works and Sanitary Committee, held on Tuesdav, 2ith August, Mr. Councillor Thomas Freeman in the chair, it was resolved that the Sanitary Inspector at the New Water Works be provided with a uniform similar to that worn by the other Inspectors of Nuisances.-A letter was read from the Local Government Board, enquiring the present position of the Question of the provision tor the Borough of permanent hospital accommodation. The committee again considered the sites shewn upon the plan submitted by Messrs. Thomas Watkins and Jenkins of their land at Mount Pleasant. It iV1! resolved that in the opinion of this committee it is desirable that a permanent Fever Hospital should be erected forthwith and that, subject to the approval of the Local Governme, Board, and to an access road being purchased upon the te" ms offered by Messrs. Thomas, Watkins and Jenkins, viz £ 9in acre; it was also resolved that the Mayor be authorised to affix the common seal to all documents necessary to carrv out*Hii« arrangement.—-The Surveyor was directed to carry out the in structions of the committee wi th respect to the removal nf buildings erected on common land calculated to interfere win, the purity of the water supply ol the borough.—At a held on Tuesday, 31st August, Mr. Councillor T Freeman the chair, the Borough Surveyor was directed to' comtrnnl 2 covered culvert over the open drain between Peutre f,ti A Burlais Brook, at a cost not exceeding £ 10. The drain •» present state, is a source of continual nuisance —The 1 Officer of Health having certilied the premises on ti.V*, 1 formerly occupied as a Friends meeting house and mL I™?.?' occupation of Mr. J. H. Johnson and^thers in such a t to be a nuisance and unlit for human habitation imtiI aS ordered to be served on the owners, calling upon tLin h 7aS cause why the same should not be condemned. These m » .lew are licensed for dancing, aud the committee direct eS newal of the license be opposed.-The Medical Officer of w V i'm" and Inspectors reports 011 the sanitary condition of the Hi v. Valley were read, and the recommendations therein rn 1 ordered to be carried out.-The Town Clerk was ordered to for- ward certain extracts from the Inspector's report to thJ nilT of the Pontardawe Union, and to request his ass,« L securing the abatement ot the nuisances therein c«mn S -The following report from the Head Constable w t °, —"During the past month 24 samples have been Hi T? the police, under the Food and Drugs' Adulteration Act Of this | number four were collected in St. Thomas tw- Landore and Brynhyfryd, four in the Morriston and i-> town districts. Of the total number taken 20 coti'sist^1" f!?e No proceedings were taken, as all the samples be pure on analysis. One person has been summon/,?1. the Dairies and Milksliop s Order for keeping her m!li i -er a dirty state, resulting in a tine of 12s. beint inflirtl^ » F m meeting of the committee, held on Tuesdav 7n, a At a Mr. Councillor Henry Maliphant in the chair nf-Imber' where necessary, summonses were ordered to »>« 68 and' respect of the several nuisances unabated and iu Inspectors of Nuisances.—The Committee, while^ y tbe legal liability in the matter, directed the Surfe™, tgWSl'g no the removal of accumulations of filth and soil ?l.assi?t in in the Strand and the houses at Foxhole caused hi <:ellars rains on the 4th inst., and the Inspectors of Xui^nuv^heavy instructed to serve notices to cleanse and disinfect the W61'1 premises on the respective owners thereof.—The of Health's report on the sanitary condition of the T lit ^,cer was received and the Town Clerk was requested to wiitl y Contractors for the new reservoir requesting them to provide closet pails of a Rochdale or Birmingham pattern Jw i! having been made to comply with the notices served immt'l! owners of the houses in Hoo-street and Mysydd-road, Landore requiring them to connect the premises with the public «p the Surveyor was directed to carry out the necessarv woK^i^ cost thereof to be recovered from the parties chargeable —Ti Surveyor's report on the premises not connected with the public sewers in Foxhole-road, Kilvey-road and Port Tennant received, and notices, calling upon the owners to do the work were ordered to be served. Councillor Freeman moved the minutes of this com- mittee. One thing they asked for, he said, was a new uniform for the inspector at the Wattr Works. He was pleased to say that the health of the borough during the past five weeks had been very good. The principal thino that came before them was the site for the Fever Hos* pitai. The committee had selected the five acres shewn on the top of the plan produced, at Mount Pleasant. imPortaQt item to bring forw-ara before the Corporation 4^ it w?pened to come at a time near November. Notwithstanding that the Committee felt it was time to decide once tor all this much vexed question. There were many present not conversant with the history of the fever »„i aud he would detain them by re-counting the effo^ made. It might be asked whether it wag necessar^ acquire a hospital at all. If it were not, they had hj £ fools for many years to take an interest in such a tul They had been misled. There were two facts he point out. In Bath, in the year 1879, a sinele f small-pox broke out. Through want of a fever hosnital in a very short time 80 cases were being treit^ and shortly afterwards 350 case*. Carlyle had a f hospital, and in the years 1832, 1849, aud 185^? GF visited by Asiatic cholera, which was bappiiv av»rfl!f -Did they require a large site ? The Medical Officer Health recommended that five acres should be aenni so that the building might be secluded and room Ji for future extension Other towns hud acquired eouallv large sites. Bath had seven acies, Bradford eioht Cheltenham six, Sunderland twelve, Newcabtle-on Ton ten. They provided the necessary accommodation case of outbreak. Mr. Freeman then ran over th various sites which had been recommended to the c 6 mittee for the proposed fever hospital, to the wholp°mf which, he said, serious objections of one kind anda«nfk had been taken. Here, however, tbey had a v offer of five acres at £ 900per acre, of the most admir"hi building ground, with a south aspect and sheltered fr e the north wind. It was said by some persons that th** piece was too high. He did not think so, all things r™ sidered. Larger sums had been paid, and the Corner tion had themselves sold land not so valuable or eligibly placed for a larger proportionate amount R,!? the Committee did not ask the Council to spend a larg sum than they wtre now spending upon temporary and abortive schemes. During the last three years Swans had spent no less thnn £ 1,820 on abortive schemes. Th^ was £ 600 a year, which capitUised according 'to £ hS Corporation bonds, would amount to £ 13,000 for wh h amount they could purchase the land and'erect the manent hospital. The owners of the land required^ definite answer should be given, because this matter had now been in negotiation for the past five months and f the offer was rejected, then they wanted the land f building purposes. ror Mr. Alderman Tulloch seconded the resolution en. dorsing the observations of Mr. Freeman. The cOst pro- posed would be actually less than they were now snend ing on abortive schemes. A great responsibility was thrown upon the Council in this respect, and if tl would not now agree to the erection of a fever hosDitifi^ they could hardly expect to keep the town in its p/? healthy stite. Mr. Alderman Thomas congratulated the town upon the committee having selected so admirable a site as that now proposed—but for his own part he would go still higher up—but he felt that they had now a most admirable site offered them which they should avail themselves of. Mr. John Lewis thought that the price asked for namely, &900per annum was a most reasonable one and should vote for its acceptance. Mr. H. Maliphant strongly opposed the motion. Ha remarked that notwithstanding Mr. Freeman bad pro. dnced most voluminous papers, local government docu ments and statistics, he had missed his despatch boir (A laugh.) Let them look for a moment at the piece of ground for which they proposed to give JMOOan acre It was only arrived at by a most inconvenient road and had a large quarry right in front of it which would cost some £ 1,200 or £ 1,500 to fill up. In addition to the cost of this land they would have to erect a hospital which would cost from £20,090 to £25,000, besides which thev would have to furnish it. Then having built and furnished it they would have to provide a whole army of surgeons and a whole army of nurses, attendants &c And for how many patients ? Why on an average' two patients per week. Mr. Trew thought that before going on further with the discussion, it would be as well to know if the com- mittee had prepared any estimate as to the cost of the building proposed to be erected. The Medical Officer (Dr. Ebenezer Davies) said the cost of the building of course depended to a very great extent upon the number of beds they were going to provide for The cost in other hospitals had been from JE220 to £250 per bed. That was exclusive of land. The Mayor said if they made provision for 50 beds total cost would be £ 17,000. Mr. Maliphant, continuing, said that in order to accomodate two patients, on an average, per week the Council would have to incur an expense of close unon S20,000. They had not had any outbreak of fever for a long time past before the recent one, and probably that was due to an extent to the neglect of precautionory measures ou the part of somebody. They were advancing in medical science and extending their drainage and water supply, which would lessen the death-rate and sickness of the town but even as at present they were about to expand this very large sum of money simply in anticipation of a visitation which many never occur. He said that the expenditure of this money was not needed and he should certainly oppose it. The present hospital accommodation was sufficient for all present purposes, and efficient arrangements could be made in the event of an outbreak. Did the erection of gaols prevent the commission of crime—did the erection of chapels prevent immorality, and would the erection of a hospital prevent MI outbreak of fover, Not long ago the medioalomoer made an application for the purchase of an ambulance. How many times had it been used. None, and there it was now rusting and only fit to let out for the use of excursionists. (Laughter) The proposal to buy this piece of ground and erect this costly hospital opon it was a mere waste of public money aud he should oppose it bv every TOCADS in. his power# Mr w TTcharda said that in his opinion the cost of the spending from £ 8,000 to £ 10,000 for the erection of a hospit df aud the cost of keeping an expensive st.ff of Mr Councillor Tulloch advised the Council to secure so eligible a site noW it cOllld be obtained. After that they MD? EVIDMTLY Mr D Meager did not consider the price of the land • ■+ + as huild;n £ ground, as they found that the S :°L3D St VWe. on wbgh j ouiuers coui amount to the price asked. He wou.dL more mmendation of the committee. th. price asked for the I Jj. 1' foL and reasonable, bat by purchasing it they land to be fair and jeaso the hospital, for the committed themselves »o sthe borro of the Government would build. Xhe {ormer money "dI £ ^hLndoned because of the opposition sites had bee offered, and the Council did not lT +K+e hi^site ^vould no tbe objected to as well. If know that this site wouiu a aa this question^wa j what they pr0posed to do, and if any°opposition was likely to arise he supposed they would hear of it duii"=^ Considered that the question was wh°eS^they^« d*ible 8itiWhilst they had the opportunity although thf ?tewaas somewhat inaccessible, but he did not think they were justified in laying out this immense sum of money for the sake of t*o patients per week especially amendment that it was inex P^ient to J?" R Mr Trew seconded the amendment, inasmuch as it was onlv in accordance with the views which he bad alwavs hdd He had now known the town for about jo years and during the whole of that time there had on y been one epidemic, and that had been easily and promptly met His idea was that if they unfortunately had an Sreik of fever or Ji.e^e they e.ald so., make the neces«arv nrovision to meet the necessity of the case, rather than "O to the enormous expense of purchasing rather than "O to the enormous expense of purchasing SirthSth.'So* « he called thpm /lurid* the last three years had been £ 1800 or £ 600 a year,"but Mr. Freeman had forgotten to ttll them what the cost of the proposed scheme would be. It would be at least *1,000 per annum, and that for the maintenance of two patients per week. They would probably know that in Bristol a building had formerly been erected which was called Cook s folly. If they now laid out that enormous amouut of money and put up a building it would be said to be somebody's folly (he did not say whose), as they would not have any patients to put in It. Mr. W. Thomas said that on the outbreak of a former visitation of fever in the town, an eminent medical man bad said to him that they had no business to have fever in the town at all, provided they had proper sanitary ar- raogements and good wattr supply. They were now pushing these sanit try arrangements, and he hoped by so doing tbey would banish fevers entirely and render fever hospit ils altogether unnecessary. Dr. Rawliogs said that if they carried the amendment that day they would thereby clearly decide that they would not make any permanent provision for the treat- ment of infectious diseases, which, in his opinion as a medical man, would be a calamitous decision. It would be much better to propose the entire excision of the question from the report, than again refer it back to the committee. The previous history of this question had been one of timid vacilatiou ou the part of the Co-mca. They bad been making temporary provision for the treatment of infectious diseases for the past 15 yeais. They ought to be prepared for any emergency which might arise. In erecting the proposed hospital, they were onlv acting in accordance with the marcnof medical science, which said that provision should be made for the isolation of patients, so that the disease should be nipped in the bud. He regretted the action of the Council on former occasions in giving way to public opinion on this ormer occasio s public opinion which was this question, because it was a the child of ignorance and prejudice. If they now set their faces as8 a council, against public opinion, they »oald i tikiog. »i««»Vnra,Cr.ur'«; .Sttf as to the cost, he did not think that 8° ja[Se a<lJ^ 2 of land as five acres was required HeJhought thiee acres would be ample, which would save £ l 800 He thought they should now secure this adnmable site, and they could afterwards put up wooden or iron hu-s or erect a permanent building as they thought proper. Mr. Freeman then replied upon the whole of the remarks which had been made, contending that the cost of the proposed building had been greatly magnified. If they secured the site they could remove their present building up there or put up wooden huts. If disease of an infectious character again broke out, there would be orders given go a-head with the expense, never mind how much, to make provision to deal with the patients. He wanted them to take time by the forelock and make provision to meet any emergeucy which might arise. It had beeu said that they nad only two patients per week on an average, but that was not the way to look at this case-they bad had as many as 25 patients in the hospital at one time, and on another 17 patients, and had 103 patients in one year. They were asked to decide that dav, once for all, whether they would make per- manent provision for the treatment of infectious diseases, and he urged them to avail themselves of the opportunity of securing so eligible a site upon fair terms. The Mayor suggested the adoption of a middle course. He thought it was very desirable that they should have a fever hospital, but the expense was very large. He had previously asked whether so much land as five acres was necessary and he had been informed it was; but what Dr Rawlin/s had now stated that three acres would be oHcred the condition of things. The sufficient had th-g jan(j for the nex(. builders w0"ld D b(J /the Mayor) now suggested was months, and wha ba(jk the committee, that they should reter i" of theLocal Govern- so that iu the w £ ether they would sanction ment Board could b a8 thiee acies, and whether so small a quant'W jawing the land without under- they would sanetioB thelerect J ermanent hospital and ShS'thl 11,6 ,hen .» amendment to thatrfte >m„dmeIlti„d did „ Mr. Mahphant s opportunity of saying he had because it afforded him i w fae would 8ell been authorised by^gej> tQwn and a bet(er the Corporation land mu 8i The'amendme^ 'of the Mayor was eventually carried by ten votes to five. proposed an amendment with Councillor Burn that the owners of property reference to anothe .q rep0rtt be called upon to at Foxhole re^efr t or at all events to minimise, the take steps to pre 'j-^ap to that which occurred at chances of a simi a & Council they ought to do Foxhole the other J'0f the kind occurred again Shin "ife next' few mouths, they would be open to pub- lic censure. the amendment. For ten years Mr. Lewis seco the necessity of taking measures he had pressed ror ncy ag had now, unfortunately, to meet such a c g8(jvocacy had been simply pooh- taken placf, but if the Corporation had taken poDhed an I laug e 'the calamity that had fallen upon up this matter ac 1 )3een prevented, but they saw Foxhole wou d now b hy Gn behalf of the people now the result 0 recently suffered, he thanked of Foxhole, who had^ Mf Mason> Mr Meager> the Mayor Mr- visiting the district, and reud- and others for sc. pwmp >ho neededit< ering assistance t that some blame was attached Alderman Tbom-a fhe vicinity. to the landow^ner;s in to and the minutes of the Committee were tben carned as amended. Committee were then cameu THE STREETS COMMITTEE. At a meeUnp; < th. afreets Committea held on Tuesday, 17th August, Mr councillor Wilham Richards in the chair, the August, Mr Council!, erect an additional lamp in High- Surveyor was ^T-treet and Messrs Singers' shop.— It street,; between t tradespeople and others are solicited having been rePorte<irmeI1 for contributions towards annual by Corporation WOTKI eg> thecommittee disapprove of such outings and Christmas _rvey0r to or<jer its discontinuance.— practice, and direct tne ■ prepare an(j submit an estimate The Surveyor was 'J18? tjie oystermouth-road and the road of the cost of dram1 -r<jeid.—Thecommittee recommended abutting upon the £ nC ,ers 0f property in Windmill-terrace that as soon as the owiers^o n £ grflg, &c., the lighting carry out the ne^sl vJith —At a meeting of the committee thereof be proceeded "t Councillor William Richards held on Tuesday,2 imsttee, accompanied by the Town Clerk in the chair, the cow Mr Sugrue, Manager ef the and Borough Survey tbe pr0p0sed new passing-places. Tramway Companycan, they approve of the several and, so far as gutjject to the roads being pitched passing-places from kerb to kerb, and on the the whole length offor each passing-place now payment of SX 0f the committee lield on Tuesday, sanctioned. At William Richards in the chair, the 31st August, Afr Counc -gtual expenditure of the commit- Chairman reported tha the estimate by £ 973 5s- 5d. tee had, in four montns, the draft of the prop0sed agree- —The Town Clerk submi Rest, in connection with ment with the Trustee tJ)e jjggt, and the same was the right of way a' .n„ jjggu by the owners of property in approved.—Default ha G carry out the provisions of the Lamb-street and Koc^ ,jC Health Aet» in accordance with 150th section of the F Surveyor was directed to carry notices served upon t paving, &c., and to recover the out the necessary wor ^^g^ble. cost thereof from the pa f thig Cotnmittee moved Mr. W. Richards as chairm remarkin, that although the adoption of p egtimates by about £ 900, they they had exceeded t -n ^and for the repairs of had some £ 500 f ort*L? ter mouths, so that they had not the streets in the wi very iargesum. He should exceeded the amount .r the floods that a good like to mention in Sanitary Authority in not .deal was due to ^Vests of their district. The Ruraf SanHaryAuthority did nothing if they could help it. Mr. Mason 'passing places pro- Dr. Rawlings reterre« Tramway Company, con- posed by the commit*' ODly a source of inconvenience tending that they we to ^e^ians. He thought to carriages but or a»uB o to the tramway com- they bad,c°nce~!fAi,at this question be referred back pany, and he consideration. toAfterTsTort discussion the amendment was lost by 8U »odthe minutes then pas.ed. THE WATER AND SEWERS COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Waters and Sewers Committee held on Wednesday, 25th August, Mr. Councillor R. D. Burnie in the chair, the report of the Public Analyst upon the purity of the water supply was read, from which it appeared that the quality of the water supply to the Borough was very satisfactory. Samples were free from any unpleasant taste or smell. A letter was read from the ageut to the Landed Estate Aireiicy Limited, requesting that the water mains be extended to Major- street and Philip-street, Mansel Town. The Committee ap- prove of the proposed extension. The Surveyor's report upon the extension of the water mains throughout the Borough was read, and the committee approve of the several extensions at an estimated cost of £ 10,3*2, and the Town Clerk was instructed w) make application to the Local Govern:ent Board for leave to borrow the sum required upon the security of the General xnstnet Kate. The Surveyor's report as to the renewal of water mains was received, and the committee approved of the renewal of the water mjiins in several districts, and the Town iT«S.iUftr"cted 10 make application to the Local Govern- + 'r?F alVe to borrow tl,065 for the carrying out of e Surveyor's report as to the extension of sewers 'n t'^omrniuee approved of the extension of t r, vn Clerk was instructed to make application B°ilrd for Ieave borrow £ 1,553 for the canying out of this work. UDOII THP fprtifieite of the Borough Surveyor, payment of ,t7.i l«s. 9d Was ordered to be made to Messrs. Hilton and Sons on account of their contract Xo. 5. It was resolved that Mr. Joim Frim„ L !i,„ sum of £ 107 us. 4d. on account of his contract foi-extension of the Llansamlet water main. The rennrt ,,t ti L extellMU the w.r Supply R;.n,l Morriston, was received, from which it appear^! meter in Duke-street, Morriston, had been tiiijii»red ivi^h the Town Clerk was directed to write ihVSunl Authority, calling theirattention to this matter so 'that m i.f vestigation may take place with a view to discover the wr«! or persons who wrongfully interfered with the meter in question.—A letter was read from Messrs. Smith and Lawrence claiming a sum of £ 3-'5 011 Mr. Hadland's behalf, in respect of certain sewers carried through his property at Da nygraig. The matter was deferred.—At a meeting of the committee, held on Thursday, 2nd September, Mr. Councillor Thomas Trew in the chair, upon the certificate of the Borough Surveyor, a further sum of £ 1,198 16s. 61 was ordered to be paid to Messrs. Baldrv and Yerburgh 011 account of their contract for the New Reser- voir. Amount now paid, £ i,207 15s. 4d.—It was recommended that Frank Davies, the Conduit Inspector, who last week met with an accident, be paid his wages for the ensuing two weeks. Mr. Trew, as chairman of the committee, moved the adoption of the report, remarking that the committee recommended the expenditure of considerable sums of money for the extension of water mains, but all those sums would bring in very fair revenues, and would also give both a high and low level supply. Mr. Mason seconded the adoption of the report. Dr. Rawlings wished to know what tt^ps was beir.g taken in respect to t:ie vent lation of the sewers. There were a great many obnoxious gases from the sewers which came up under their noses which ought tj be carried up high over their h 2adr, and he should be glad to see the ventilation of the sewtrs attended to without fuitber delay, especially as the money had been borrowed for that purpose. The repoit of the committee thin pas-ed. OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Open Spaces Committee, held on Mon- day, 6th September, Mr. Councillor John Cady in the chair, the report of the Estate Superintendent on the progress of the work of fencing and levelling St. Helen's Field was received, and a sum 01 £ 100 is recommended to be paid to Mr. Hugh Hughes on account of his contract lor tbe railing.-A plan for the laying out and planting of the field was submitted and ap- proved, and tenders were ordered to be invited for the planting of a belt of trees in accordance therewith.-The Estate Superin- tendent also submitted a plan for the laying out and planting of Brvn Melin Park at an estimated cost of £150, The Local Government Board have sanctioned the borrowing of £5\J for the laying out of this park, and the Estate Superintendent was directed to expend that sum in terracing the ground as shewn upon the plan produced, and the Town Clerk was requested to apply to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow a further sum of £ 100 to enable the planting of the park and other necessary works to be carried out. Mr. John Cady moved the adoption of the report, which, being duly seconded, w is carried. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Finance Committee, held on Friday, September 3rd, Mr. Councillor K. D. Burnie in the chair, the following accounts were ordered for payment :—Watch Com- mittee, £10 Is. 4d.; Property and General Purposes Com- mittee, £233 12s. 3d.; Works and Sanitary Committee, £ 65 Is. 8d.; Streets Committee, jE1418 19s. lid.; Water and Sewers Committee, £2,:M3 4s. 3d. Finance Committee. £ 23 Bs. Sd. Other accounts paid since last meeting-Corpora- tion. £1,,66 6s. 2d.; Urban Sanitary Authority, £1,165 lis. Od. —At a meeting of thecommittee, held on Tuesday, 7tli Sept., Mr. Councillor R. D. Burnie in the chair, the Treasurer pro- duced a statement, showing the effect upon the revenue of the Board of a resolution to allow the owner, who is also the occupier of a house, t<1 compound for the rates; and he was in- structed to obtain the report from the Town Clerk as to the power of the Council to allow such compounding.—The matter of the water charge upon the houses occupied by Mr, John Evans in South Prospect and the Strand was considered, and it was resolved that the full charge be made upon the house in South Prospect and the double house adjoining in the Strand, and that the remaining two houses in the Strand be not charged if partitioned off and not occupied.—The committee noticed the large amount uncollected on the rate due 13th May last, and call the attention of the collectors thereto.—The Treasurer stated that several committees had exceeded the authorised ex- penditure shown in the Budget during the past live months, and he was directed to prepare a detailed statement for the half-year ending on the 30th instant for consideration at the next meeting of this committee.—The Treasurer having re- ceived application for payment into court of the sum of £293 awarded in the case of James Morgan, relative to property in Croft-street, informed the committee that the acconnt was already overdrawn to the extent of £ 559 Ss. 7d. The payment was ordered to be made subject to amount owing in rates being deducted, and the Town Clerk was instructed to apply to the Local Government Board for a sanction for the further amount required.—The statement of the expenses incurred by the Board acting as the Port Sanitary Authority, for the half-year ended the 30th June last was submitted to this committee, and it was resolved that the amount, £ 170 13s. 10d., be apportioned as under, and precepts served upon the several authorities accordingly :—Swansea Urban Sanitary Authority, £92 3s, lid. Aberavon Urban Sanitary Authority, £3 9s. 4d.; ICeath Urban Sanitary Authority, £ 12 16s. 7d. Briton Ferry Local Board, £ i 15s. 7d.; Oystermouth Local Board, dE4 4s. 2d.; Margam Local Board, £ 12 3s. lOd.; Bridgend and Cowbrid#re Union, £ 10 14s. 6d. Neath Union, £ 13 Swansea Union, £ 16 4s. lOd. Total, €170 13s. 10d.—The Treasurer informed the committee that he has been unable to obtain payment of the sum of £.;50, due from the Harbour Trustees on the 1st October, 1885, and he was instructed to press for the payment.—It was resolved that a sum of £25 be paid to Mr. Brenton in consideration of assistance to be rendered by him in enabling the Corporation to dispose of the remainder of the property.—A letter was received from Mr. Moxham, in which he again requests pay- ment of the sum of £42 6s., alleged to be due on account of drainage works carried out by the late Mr. Thomas Williams at the Uplands, and which amount was assigned to Mr. Moxham. The Treasurer was instructed to bring up a lull report. The Treasurer was authorised to pay the account for £2QO passed hv the Pronertv Committee, relative to Mr. Brock s boundary wall as soon as the sanction of Her Majesty s Treasury is re- ^.f"' ADolication for such sanction to be made immediately. -The following accounts were ordered for payment ^-Property Committee, £ 200; Works and Sanitary Committee, £ 12^ 7s. 9d., Open Spaces Committee, £ 113 6s. 5d.; Slaughter House Com- mittee, dE403 15s. 6d. Mr. Burnie moved and Mr. James Jones seconded, the adoption of the repoit which was catried. THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE. At a meeting of the Special Committee, appointed by a resolution of the Council on the 9th November, 18S5, to enquire into the condition of the Slaughter-houses, held on Tuesday, 7th September, Mr. Councillor Fred. Rocke in the chair, the Surveyor's report on the progress of the new slaughter-house buildings was read, and upon his certificate a sum of £40) was ordered to be paid to Messrs. Hilton and Sons on account of their contract. Total amount now paid £850. Mr. W. Richards in moving the adoption of the report of this committee said that the contractors of the new slaughter houses were making satisfactory progress with the works, the quality being excellent, and the committee recommended the payment of J3400 on account of the contract. Mr. D. Meager seconded the resolntion, which was carried. THE BURIAL BOARD. At a meeting of the Burial Board Committee held on Tues- day, 31st August, Mr. Councillor John Lewis in the chair, a letter was read, signifying the approval of the Lords Commis- sioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to the borrowing of £,114 8s. for works of Improvement at the Cemetery, and the Clerk was instructed to insert advertisements in The Cambrian and other papers inviting tenders for the carrying out of the work. As it is very desirable that the works should be camed out with as little delay as possible the COUIlCIIIS asked to give the Committee full power to accept a tender, and to order the work to be proceeded with. Mr. John lie wis moved and Mr. Meager secon e e adoption of the repoit, which was carried. THE DEATH OF MRS. VIVIAN. The Mayor said he bad Abbey^ the Council that Ah*- • t morning about 10 o'clock, was no ^e;hfthetlfe1CJ0uncil slrould move a vote of ^°n^with the bereaved family, and without further condolence wi pr0p0se the following resolution nr Vivian the widow of the late J. H. Vivian, m P. and the mother of Sir Hussey Vivian,- Bart., of the much-respected members for the borough; and it desires to express its sincere sympathy with the familv in their bereavement, and requests the Town Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to the members °*Mr? ^William Richards formally seconded the reso- lution, which was carried, and the lengthened proceedings then concluded shortly after four o'clock.