Monmouthshire Merlin

NEWPORT TOWN COUNCIL. -.G$P THE ELECTION OF MAYOR. On Saturday morning last the annual meetia:; of th e Newport Town Council was held, for the purpose of electing a Mayor f.>r the ensuing year. The me .-ting was held in the Assembly-room of the T nvn h i.il, many of the gen-ral public being present. The Mayor (John Mosea, Esq.), who wore his official robe, took the chair precisely at twelve o'clock, and the other mem- bers present were ,Alderrl)en S. Homfray, T. M. Llewellin, H. J. Davis, D. Harrhy, G. W. Jones, J. Murphy, and C. Lyne Councilors W. West, T. Beynon (Deputy Mayor), L. A. Homfiuy, J. (libbs, Wyndham Jones, 0. Gobs, H. E. Evans, J.W. Jonep, B. Evans, J. R. Jacob, J. Thompson. J. Maddock, D. A. Vaughan, A. Blake, E. Griffiths, S. Goss, W. Oliver, H. A. Huzuy, A. R. Bear, G. Hoskins, and J. R. Richards, only two members of the Council being absent. The Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk, and Town Surveyor were in attendance. The minutes or the last special meeting having been read, The Mayor rose and said Gentlemen, the first business before us is the election of a Mayor for the ensuing year. Mr. E. Griffiths said Mr. Mayor, before that mat- ter is brought forward, perhaps you will allow me to ask you a question as to- The Mayor May I ask, Mr. Griffiths, if the ques- tion refers to the matter in hand? Mr. G riffiths It doe3. It is said that there has been a private meeting of a section of the Corporation to consider the matter of the election of Ma\or, and to select a proper person to fill the office. I should like to ask whether that is correct or not. The Mayor: I don't exactly understand the ques- tion. Mr. Griffiths J have seen a report in a local paper, and also in the Sou'i Wales Daily News, that there has been a private meeting < f this Board to consider the matter, and to select a proper person to be Mayor for the ensuing year. I want to know whether that is correct or not. The Mayor I can only say that no meeting of the Council has been held. I suppose no such meeting could be called without my summoning it, and I know nothing of it. Mr. Griffiths I am perfectly satisfied with your answer, Sir. Alderman G. W. Jones said be supposed Mr. Grif- fiths was speaking of a paragraph which had appeared in the Star ot Glunt. He had read it, and he sup- posed many others had se- n it, bat where the infor- mation was derived from he did not know. He could say that he knew nothing of such a meeting, and, when he said that, he expressed what many other members of the Corporation could say. There wa3, it was true, a meeting of the Finance Committee on Friday morn- ing but he had spoken t. several members of the Finance Committee, and each said he knew nothing about a discussion as to the Mayoralty. Therefore. the editor of the paper in questiou must have been misled. The Mayor, fnterrupting May I ask you, Mr. y 11 Jones, whether you are going to propose a gentleman as Mayor. I have answered Mr. Grifliths's question, and that has been disposed of. Alderman Jones That is what my observations are leading up to. Then, continuing, he said that the Mayor having put him into the proper channel, he would come to the subject which was occupying the attention of the Corporation at that moment, and that was the election of Mayor for the ensuing year. He would, first of all, congratulate Mr. Moses upon the very able and efficient manner in which he had con- ducted the business of the Council during his term of office. (Cheers.) Mr. Moses had not only carried out his duties with credit to himself, but, judging from the strong feelings existing in the town, to the perfect satisfaction of the inhabitants of Newport. (Hear, hear.) While prepared to say this much of the Mayor, be must also say that there were other gentle- men in the Council who were well able to discharge the duties of the office. He was sure that the Coun- cil would not elect a gentleman to the office of Mayor unless he posses: el their confidence in every way, and the burgesses would not elect persons to the Council unless they thought those-gentlemen would, each of them, at some time or other, be fit to undertake the office. The gentleman he had to propose was one whose intelligence, ability, and status was second to none. He had now lived in Newport along time, and had gained the respect and esteem of all those with whom he had been connected. At the present mo- ment there was a very heavy cloud or commercial de. pression hanging over the country, and he was aware: that in the ex c se of the office of Lhief Magistrate, and the administration of the affairs of sucn a rising town as Newport, the Mayor should take great care with regard to the expenditure, and he also believed that it was necessary that the town should have at the head of its Municipal body a gentleman, who, as far as he could, would advance the commercial interests of the borough. He was fully confident that the dark cloud of depression would eventually be lifted, and they would see the silver lining. (Hear, hear.) He was afraid that he was occupying the time of the meeting too long, and he would therefore come to the object for which he rl,se, and that was to propose, with great pleasure, that Mr Gibbs should be the Mayor of .Newport for the ensuing year. (Loud applause.) He was quite sure that if the choice of the Corporation fell on Mr Gibbs, the town would have no rsason to regret the selection. (Hear, hear.) Mr. L. Homfrav said he had great pleasure in rising to second the nomination of Mr. Gibbs as Mayor, and in doing so be must be allowed to pay the same com- pliment as Alderman Jones had done to the present Mayor for the very efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of his office. (Cheers.) He was sure that it must be a proud thing for all of them— not only the members of the Council, but the entire inhabitants of the borough—to know that they had among them gentlemen like Mr. Moses, who could so efficiently carry out the duties of Chief Magistrate of the town. They all knew the very independent and efficient manner in which, on all public occasions, Mr. Moses had conducted their meetings. He felt certain that in retiring from office that day, Mr. Moses would carry back to private life the thanks of all for the manner in which he bad done his duty- (cbeers)- but the 9th of November came round once a year, and while they congratulated themselves upon what had passed, they must remember that they had a place to till, and had to choose one who would efficiently till it, and conduct the matters of the Council as Mr. Moses had done. Mr. Gibbs was a young member of the Council, but although he had only been a short time in that body, he had been in it sufficiently long for them to know that whatever he undertook he did weii, and that he was a good man of business. Mr. Gibbs had lived in the town for many years, and during that time he had made many good and fast friends, and those friends—the speaker among them—felt great confidence in recommeuding him as a candidate for the post of Chief Magistrate. In doing so he (Mr. Hotll- fray) said with the greatest confidence that that day twelve-months, when Mr. Gibbs had carried out his duties and retired from office, he would, like the present Mayor, receive their cordial thanks, for he was sure from the way in which Mr. Gibbs conducted his private business, he woujjrl c n 1 c the business of the borough to the satisfaction of all. (Cheers.) Mr. Bear then rose and said that up to the beginning of the present week it was gei era ly understood and believed that Mr. Moses would be re-elected Mayor for the ensuing year. Had this been done, he believed that not only would it have been more acceptable to the public at large, whom Mr. Moses had greatly pleased, but that it would meet the views of, he would not say the majority of the Council, but of a great many of the members. In the remarks which be might make he wished it to be clearly understood that he did not wish to call in question the abilities of the gentleman nominated, and he also wished it to be distinctly known, that he had the highest respect for that gentleman, and that he should be pleased, when, in due course, it became his time to occupy the Mayoral chair, to support him but during past years a rule had been adopted, of electing by seniority, and he thought it was a very good one, With that rule, instead of exhibitions of party feeling there had been peace and quietness; in fact they had scarcely known what party f.eeling was, but the nomi- nation of Mr. Gibbs was, in his opinion, getting in the thin end of the wedge—(applause and hisses from the public)—and they might depend upon It that any de- parture from the good old plan would be recollected in the future, and perhaps some of those who had taken part in this would regret it. Some of those gentlemen whoso turn it was to till the office of Mayor had been possessed with a feeling of modesty, and had declined to fill the office, and he would only say that the gentleman nominated that day would be placed in the position of Mayor over the heads of eight gentlemen who were his seniors in the order of election as hitherto observed. (Applause and hisses.) He (the speaker) consequently thought that the proceedings of the day were a reflection upon the eight gentlemen who had been passed over, and he must protest against it. He must also say, that in his opinion, private friendship and business connections had had a great d al to do with the nomination of Mr. Gibbs. He considered that the private wire-pulling which had been carried on would not result in anything like benefit to the Board. He did not wish to nominate any other gentleman in opposition to Mr. Gibbs, although he should have been pleased to hwe supported the re-election of the Mayor had such a thing been proposed. The Mayor asked whether anyone wished to eMMMtuaiilkai jiutlsoiMt for the office of Mayor. I The question having been asked three times, and no reply being given, he was about putting the motion to the vote, when Mr Vaughan asked that the names of the gentlemen voting should be taken down. Alderman Jones was of opinion that no show of hands was required, where there was not more than one gentleman proposed. Mr Gibbs might be declared elected. He was surprised that a show of hancls should be asked for. Several members concurred with this view. The Mayor said he would reply to that by saying that last year, when he was elected, it was done by a show of hands. (Applause.) It certainly seemed to him an extraordinary thing for exception to be taken to his asking that the same thing should be done this year, as was done last year. (Hear, hear.) He was perfectly in order. The fourth Standing Order stated that the election of Mayor should be by show of hands, unless any member wished to have the names taken down. Mr aughan bad asked that the names should be taken, which he had a perfect right to demand, and he (the Mayor) would have them taken down. One or two members again demurrred, The Mayor (to Mr Vaughan) Do you insist upon having the names taken down ? Mr V aughan It is a privilege accorded to every I member, and 1 do-r.'t see why it should be objected to. j Mr T. Beynon said that if Mr Vaughan would read j the whole of the Standing Order mentioned, he would see that the names were to be taken only when a motion or amend met was put to the meeting. There was now no motion or amendment before the meeting. The Mayur There is a motion before the meeting. Mr Jacob wished to ask whether a member had a right to declare himself neutral. If so, that could only be kaowu by the aames being taken down, and he wished to enjoy his riahts in that respect. The Maysr I cannot argue the question but it is suggested that a show of hands should be taken before the names are take» down. The motioa was then pot to the meeting.and a show of hands taken, with the result that 13 we?9 in favour of the proposition, and two (Messrs Bear and Vaughan) against it. Mr Vaughan Now I ask iu accordance with my prerogative thai the names should be taken (Sown The Mayor The Town iSlerk, at my election, instructed the tbsn Mayor to take the vote by show of hands, but he aow states tbar> is not necessary to do so. The Deputy Town Clerk says it is necessary. Therefore, I took She action of the Town Clerk Inst year, and the opinion of the Deputy Town Clerk- this j year. Mr Vaughan has demanded,, and I see by the Standing Order th.Vj.be has a right to do so. th-a,, the I names shall be taken down, am1 they will now be taken. I may state, geutlemen, that it is not counjul- sory for anyone to voie. The Deputy Towg, Clerk Eash must vote or declare himself LentnL Mr West May I enquire what IT'.I\.Ý be the practi' cal result of this picceedicg. Su-ppose I vote 08 principle for the nominated Mayor, may- I express ixy reason for doing it ? The Mayor ruled that Mf West wa;:} onfc of order. Mr Wyudham Jones Supposing the majority did not vote now would the-election then stand ? ) The Mayor You ava patting a question that I-! cannot answer, even if I had the power of answer- ing it. j The Deputy Town CleJi tben went round the circle of Aldermen ahd Councillors, and recorded 'she vote of each with his name, but Then he came to- Mr J. R. f Richards, that gentleman- rose to his feet, and, addressing the Mayor, said'that previous- to recording his vote, he wished to kuew what would- he the effect « if the majority of votes w«nt against Mr Q.ibbs. £ The Mayor With that I have nothing t,,) do. 2 Mr Richards Then I yak- the Town Clerk. There being no reply the Town Clikrk. The Mayor said Mr. Iliciiari&a must vote one way or the other. Mr. Ilichards I won't d>'What is wrsng,. %ir.—He t then stood on his feet for -time, evidently await- ing the Town Clerk's reply. The Mayor I must rule that if Mr. Fi.da.ird3 does not vote one way or the other he must be declared neutral. (A voice from tha back of tb« hall "On I the table, Mr. Ilichards."—Laughter.) Mr. Richards then took his seat, and when the re- maining names had been recorded, the Deputy Town Clerk stated that the namesejadi >otes stood as follow For Mr. Gibbs- Aldermen lilewellin, Jorjes, Harrhy, S. Homfray. Murphy and Davis and Councillors T. Beynon, S. Goss, J. W. Joaes, Bolt, OltTser, Blake, Thompson, Huzzey, Wyndhaui Jones, Maddock, Hos- kius, ilichards, H. II. Evans, W. West, B. Evans, and f 1.. A. Homfray;—total 22.. Against, :1: Messrs. Vaughan and Bear. Neutral Alderman Lyne, Messrs Gibbs, Jacob, Griffiths, and 0. G-cbs total 6. Someone asked whether the Mayor had. voted or not, and j The Mayor said Never at a single meeting have I voted. I therefore think it very strange to be called upon to vote now, considering that I have aever voted. If it came to a casting vote, L have always bad the j courage to give it, and have been prepared to do so on i all occasions. (Hear, hear., < Mr. West I think I am entitled now to explain the reason why I recorded my. vote in favour of Mr. [ Gibbs. i The Mayor Excuse me, but. I must ruls you out of order-all I have to do now is to declare the result. 1 have to declare that Mr. Joseph Gibbs is duly elected Ma.Vor for the ensuing year. (Applause.) j Mr. Gibbs then attired himself in the mayoral robes, took the usual oaths, and having taken the chair which Mr. Johu Moses vacated, addressed the meeting. He thanked the Corporation sincerely for- the great honour conferred upon him- He also desired to ex- press his grateful acknowledgments to Alderman Jones-, and Mr L. A. Homfray for the kind manner ill which they had spoken of him. He could assure- the meetr ing that he accepted the responsibility attaching toths- office of Mayor of Newport with feelings-of consider able diffidence, because even before what had takes* place that day he was not insensible of the fact that lIe had only been a member of the Council, for tws years, and his experience of Municipal matters mast necessarily be of a limited kind. He also knew thai there were several gentlemen seated around the ta&le who bad been longer in the Council thaa he had, and who, from their ability, and much larger experience, were far more fitted, and intinitely better qualified, to fulfil the onerous post of Mayor than he would belaud he said truthfully, that he was most anxious that one or the other of those gentlemen who. had been longer at the Council than he bad, and not passed the ahair, should be elected to the office that d8" But it was the desire of his friends to postpone their elettiou to the office, and as it was the wish of the Council, as recorded by the minute made that day, that he should take upon himself the duties, he felt that he must comply with the wishes of his feliow-to-wnsmen. (Applause.) He could only 3ay that, whatsoever might be the views of those who were adverse to him, he was prepared to devote his best energies, such as they were, during the year, to the discharge of the duties of the high position to which he ha 1 been raised. (Cheers.) He was very much encouraged by the belief that the gentleman who had just left the chair would support him, and that he should have his aid and the benefit of nis experience in carrying out the work which lay before him. He ventured to express his hope that the year on which they now entered would be one of revival in the state of trade. (Cheers.) He hoped indeed, that the cloud referred to by Alderman Jones might pass away, and he believed it would in a short time. A railway connecting this town with the vast coal fields of the Ilhoudda Valley would he thought very shortly be commenced. (Cheers ) The Act had been obtained during his predecessor's year of office, after many a severe struggle in and out of Parliament. It had been promoted by Lord Tredegar, 11 Sir George Elliot, and John Moses, Esq. (Applause.) He believed that when the railway was completed, the shipping and general commerce of the town of Newport would be largely increased, and their dock ac- commodation, large as it was, would become inade- quate. Indeed, he thought they might well congratu- late themselves upon the fact that they had among th-m such noblemen as Lord Tredegar, who, following in the foot ps of his late lamented father, was ready and willing to support anything that was for the good of the town. He had no doubt that shouid any further extension of the Alexandra Dock become necessary, Lord Tredecar would give every facility for tbegaioiug of such a purpose. (Cheers.) Referring to the mak- ing and extending of streets in the town he said he could not pledge himself to any action, but whatever affected the welfare of the town would receive his warmest support. With reference to what bad been said about p^*ty politics, he could only say that he was glad that in the Council there was very little, if any, party or political feeling shown, and, though a Con- servative himself, he believed he had as many friends in the Council among the Liberals as he had among the Conservatives. (Hear, hear.) He hoped they would be ready to believe him when he said that so far as his voice was concerned, he would never allow party feeling to weigh with him in dealing with any question. What they bad to consider was, what would benefit the town genera.ly. (Cheers.) Without say- iug anything more respecting himself, he woul,1 pro- pose that the best thanks of the Council be given to John Moses, Esq., the retiring Mayor, for the very able way in which he had discharged his duties during the past year. (Applause ) The ex-Mayor left the chair with the respect and good wishes of all the members of the Council, and he (Mr. Gibbs) was sure that no member could better appreciate the serviues of his predecessor than he QUuld. The ex-May* r had, in the exercise of his duties, always been courteous, yet firm, and invariably fair in his dealings when con- ducting public meetings. Mr. Moses had acquitted himself with credit, not only to himself, but to the town. (Loud cheers.) Alderman Lyne seconded the motion, and dwelt at some length upon the excellence of the conduct of Mr Moses, who in every way deserved the encomiums he (Alderman Lyne) had passed on him twelve months ago. (Cheers.) The 'notion was carried with acclammation. Mr John Moses then rose to reply. He had occasionally, he said, been obliged to stand firm in the Council, and perhaps to give offence to some of the members, simply because some of them were so fond of talking. (Laughter.) He felt that the time of the Corporation could not be wasted, and sometimes he was forced to call gen tlemeu to order. Still he believed none of them would now be ready to reproach him for what he had done, and hehined his successor wonld, in this respect at least, follow his example. (Cheers.) He now desired to thank all the gentlemen of the Council for the ready assistance they had given him in carrying out the business. The Deputy Town Clerk also deserved his unqualified thanks for the manner in which he had done his duty since his appointment to the post. Having expressed his gratitude for the kind manner in which the Mayor, Alderman Jon-is, Mr Homfray, and Alderman Lyue, had spoken of him, he took his seat amid apphvaae. The Mayor then invit-d the members of the Corporation to accompany hiEa to St. Woolos Church on. Sunday the lQth inst. I Fhis concluded the election- business, and the Council then proceeded with the other matters con- tained in the agenda paper. Mr T. Beynon was re-elected to represent the Council at the Pilotivge Commissioners Board. Th a reports of the Watch Committee were taken as read-, and confirmed. Alderman Jones eD-iuired whether Mr Kirby, ths- surveyor, had done anything with respect to finding out the suitablility of She electric light, &c., and upon- being answered in the aegative, said the Alexandra Dock Company would probably, by the end of six weeks, h-i-ve the light ia use at their Stock. The reports of the Orb-an Sanitary Authority were taken as read, and adopted. MITER FROM 1SE CUSTOM HOUSE. The Deputy Town Cl«rk read a letter from the Collector, Custom House, stating that a communicat- ion, from ths Council had be-eo received by him with reference to a vessel which brought a case of small- pox into the port, and pointing that he had done all that wns required of him in calling the attention of Inspector Williams to the matter. Quarantine had been abolished except as regards yellow fever. The matter then dropped. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Alderman Murphy read the following report :— "At a meetir.g of the Public-Works Committee, held at the Council-house, on Tuesday, November >th, 1878: Present—Alderman Murphy in the chair, the Mayor, and Messrs. Bolt, H razey, Bear, and Wyndham Jones. Bridge-strest Bridge.—The Deputy Town Clerk read a letter irom Capttain Power, of. the 28th of C'jfcober, to the rffeci that be could not hold oat any expectation that he would contribute one-fourth cf the cost of widening the bridge and the approaches tht jeto, as suggestad by the Public Works Ccaaiaittee. The Deputy Town C'.erk also read certain correspondence between himself and Captain Herbert (the agent of the Clytka< estate;, from which it appeared that Mr..Herbert-, of Clytha, had declined to definitely say that be would pay one-fourth of the cost of widening the briti^e aud approaches, until he knew what such cost would amount to. Tiie- Deputy Tov«» Clerk was instructed to write to Captain Herbert that ::00 csLi- mated cost of woris- in question Tirould not exceed Y,600, and that Mr. Herbert would not bo called upon to con- tribute more than £150. The Deputy Town Clerk was further instructed, m the event of his receiving a satis- factory reply t'ronr.> Captain Herbert, to write again to Captain Power, urging upon him the desirability of not suising the schemo-to fall through by refusing to my his ■^nota of the expense. The bchool L'tMivd Site.—T?ie> Deputy Town Clerk "sead a letter from the Lords of her Miijesty's Traxsury -approving of the sdIs of oOOU square yards of land on the Marshes, to the Newport School Board, for the siaui of --■SIOOO, on condition of the investment of the proceeds in Government securities, and stating, that the formal -san- ction of the Board would be obtained by two of their lord- ::hips being made parties to the deed, a draft of which raust be approved oLby their solicitor The Deputy Town Clerk was instructed to proceed with the completion of the matter with as little delay as possible. Gas Lamps—A.letter was read from the manner of t/ha-Kewport Company of the 4th hist., with reference to a complaint wlr.cb. had been made at the last meeting, •to the effect that none of the pnblict lamps should, have extinguished on the morning of the 31st of October before 5 o'clock. The manager pointed out that the time far commencing to extinguish tba lamps was 4.45 n.ia. •' Lamps and fy:/rnBoard in Lkinarth-street.—A letter "was read from Mr. A. P. Williams, to the effect that the Sister in charge of St. John's Mission House had.taken the shop lately oaeopied by Mrs. Handy, in Llajiarth- ;vtreet, for a Coffee Palace, and asked permission to erect a gas lamp and projecting sign board over the entrance. The Committee reairmnend that the lamp be allowedapon jutferam-e, but tli.-jy cannot recommend a projecting sign to be permitted. '• Grating for Nr.. Crosta.—The committee reco-iamend that the application of Mr. Crosta/ to be allowed to extend the grating on thi pavement two feet from the wail of his shop, 36, Comme >3ial-road, be granted, "•titreet Improvement Exprnnes,.—The Surveyor pro- duced his quarterly return of the private street improve- ment expenses irvcurred up to-the 25th ult., aDd, of the amouuts respectively paid audi to be received on account thereof. The retarn showed that .£4044175. 8d. was the total cost of the streets finished, £.2465 18s. lid. af which aad been received. The ucnaished streets would cost £ 497 9s. lid. liuperrci,-str.y £ f Footpath.-The footpath on the south side of Kuperra-street having been complained of, the aomniittee recommend that aftag pavement be substituted tor the present, asphalte, provided the TredelAr Wharf Company will pay. half the expense. titoiv Fark.—The committee recommend that the footpath of Stow. Park be la;d down with aspbalte instead of Kisea gravel. '■•Building Plans.—The committee recommend that, plans for two houses on Barrack-hill for Messrs. Jou&a and Dimond, be approved., Belle Vnj Gute-A letter from Mr. Widowfield, ask- ing permission to make certain improvements in the road near Belle Vue Gate, and asking the Corporation to paf half the cost, estimated ejt Ju6 7s., was read, and the com- mittee recommend that the application be granted. Marsha and CrvAO-au. Yill.-The committee thm in- spected the-waste caused to the banks of the Usk aud the Pill at Newport Marshes, and recommend that the Sur. veyor be authorised to repair the banks of the Pill a. one or two of the worst places, at a cost of £ 50. On thtt motion of Alderman Muruny, seconded by Mr. West,, the whola of the report, with the exception of the last paragraph (which was referred back. to the Committee) waa adopted. FINANCE. The report of the Committee of the whole Council, re Boiough Loans, held on the 20th of Augiist last, re Boiough Loans, held on the 20th of Augiist last, was, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr. Blake, adopted. The report of the Finance Committee,, with the priated statement, was then placed in the hands of ths; members. The guneral summary of Corporation and Urban Sanitary Authority accounts showed a balance due to Treasurer on Corporation account, < £ 3,22 £ >-5s Id the like on Slaughter-house capital account, ^Bi'23.14s 5d thelike on iSlaugliter-house re venue account, £ (kJG4s 3d; the like on ISew Entrance account, £ ,107 8s lid; the like on Newport Improvement A(;t account, RG,121 8s 6d; the like on street improvement account, £ 728 10s 2d ;—total,. £18,006 17s 4d. Against this is set balance in hands of Treasurer on Urban Sanitary Authority account, < £ 2,7G0 los Id the like on Police Superannuation Fund, .£82t5 Os 4d the like on Cemetery Committee account, £ 180 3s 2d total, X3,766 16s 7d showing a balance-due to the Treasurer of .£14,2-W Os 9d. To this are added the following — Accounts due and passed by the Fiaance rommittee, viz.: Corporation account, £ 702 t's 7d j Urban Sanitary Authority account, £ 2,284 19s lOd general drainage account, £ 852 Os 4d; Friar's Fields account, < £ 141 2s lOd; High-street improvement account, £ 393 lis 5il; Slaughter-house account, £ 55 7a 3d; street improvement account, £ 4 ¡ 5s; making a total of £ 18,734 7s. Towards this amount the Corporation expect to receive from rate, made February, 187g, £ 3,340 for street improvements, £ 2,066 5s lOd; horn Overseers Newport, balance of call made February, 1878, £474 2s from Overseers St. Woollos, balance of call made Feb- ruary, 1878, £ 400; total, .86,2807s lOd. Mr. B. Evans proposed, and Alderman Lyne seconded, that the report be adopted. In reply to questions put by members, it was stated that Corporation would gain £ 100 this year because the Magistrates' Clerk was paid by salary instead of fees. On the motion of Mr. B. Evans, seconded by Alder- man Jones, it was resolved that the salary of the collector of rates (Mr. Turner) be advanced to £250 a year, the collector on these terms to find and appoint his own assistants, subject to the approval of the Council, and to be responsible to the Council for the due collection of the rates. The Deputy Town Clerk read a report from the Finance Committee on the subject of the three new borough loans, which was to the following eITed At a meeting of the Finance Committee, held at the Council-house, on Friday, the vth day of November, 1878. Present—TJ. Evans, Esq in the ehair the Mayor, Alder men Llewellin and Harrhy, and Mr. Wyndham Jones, certain supplementary accounts which had been examined since the last meeting of the Committee were examined and found correct. The Deputy Town Clerk read the following report of the Committee with reference to th thrpe proposed new borough loan3 :—1, in respect of the I Newport Improvement Act, 187d, ^25,596 2, enlarging of the Cemetery, £ 3.200; and 3, New Entrauco struct improvements, £ 5,732 your Committee have to report that certain letters from Messrs. Shaen, Rosc-M, and Co., solicitors to the Ancient Order of Foresters Society, ,.en: real, from which it appeared that the trustees of that I | society had definitely resolved not to entertain the pro- | posed loaus for longer than 31) years- Your Committee, [ therefore, determined to break off negotiations with the Foresters Society, and instructed the DeptIty Town Clerk to write to i\Ies5rs. Shaen, Hoscoc and Co., to that effect. Yom' Committee have further to report that the Deputy Town Clerk read certain correspondence between himself and Messrs. Woollett and Ray nor, of Red Lion-square, from which it appeared that the latter were prepared to plocure for the Corporation the amount of loans 1 and 2, repayment to extend over 50 years at per cent, inte- 2 rest aud lonn 3, the repayment to extend over 30 years at per cent interest, subject to the payment of a com- mission to themselves of < £ 1 per cent, on each loan, ex- clusive of law charges. The clients of Messrs. Woollett I and Raynor were the Clergy Mutual Assurance Society. The Committee decide-] to agree to the terms offered, the repayment to be as follows -.—For loan i, an annual pay- repayment to be as follows -.—For loan i, an annual pay- ment covering principal and interest of £ 2S-J 3s 411 loan 2, an annual payment of £ l!i-I 18s 7d and for loan 3, a yearly payment of £:JH L:s -1d. Your Committee, there- fore, recommend that your Corporate Seal be forthwith- affixed to each of the three deeds, as the Trustees have arranged to pay over the money to your Treasurer on the- 13th inst." This report also was adopted, and the Corporate Seal ordered to be attached to the deeds as proposed. REPOI-VT OF PARLIAMENTARY ClHDlITTEE. Alderman Llewellin read a report formulated by the above committee, stating, among- other things, that after considering the proposal that the front of Mr. Watkins's premises in High-street, should be taken pnssession of for the widening of High-street, the Committee had resolved to recommend that a pro- visional order be obtained for the widening of that portion of the street in question. In reply to AMterman Davis, the Surveyor said the Committee's proposal was, that the street should be made 40 feet wide. Alderman Davis then said that in thai case the Tramway Company-would, by the power of their Act of Parliament, be able to ruu through High-street, and as that would be so dangerous to the public in a busy street of that land, Lord Tredegar would not consent to the widening of the street. The Surveyor replied that unless the road was 40 feet from pavement to pavement at the junction of High-street and Skinner-street, the Tramway Com- pany could not ruo their cars up High-street. Some discussion ensued, several of the members thinking it would be>-better to apply for an order for the widening of ths-whole of the street' at tile same time rather than getting separate orders for doing the work piecemeal; others pointed out that as Mr, Wat- kins was about to re-bnild his premises it weald be uuich easier to compensate him now than when be had built a large hevm-e on the samt) site. Aidtrsnan Murplrrthought the whole.of tha work should be undertaken at the saaiC time, but nothing should be done without calling a meeting of ths rate- payers. Alderman Lyne seated that the Great Western Railway Company bad already taken land for en- larging their 11 igh-str-iet.3tation. and Alderman Davis said that with recrard the premise* on the East-oide of High-street, the leases ot somo-of which were about to expire, he might say that Lord- Tredegar had oaoaed to oc inserted in the 'eases a,ciaivse saying that the houses were to be given up to the Corporation, when wanted for the widening ofabe street.. Oc'the motion of AMerman Llewellin, seconded by it ",as tii(-t tb:-t a pi-(,visioull Order,as proposed by tb-e Committee be applied -or. Iu reply to Mr Wyndham Jones, Alderman Llewellin. said the Committee did ii it consider that the titnu for there arrangement of the wards had yet arrivad. MEDICAL OFF.TCnR'S RnTOOM" j The-following report of the Medical Odicer wrw- laid { on tho table :— To i/w Mayor and MwJiers of ths Urban Sanitary Avittioriiy. > Ge;.?tueme.n,—I heg to, report thr,t, 342 births were | registered during the oparter ending. September 30tfe, t whichd* in the proportion of 34 per thousand cf the population. Two hundred and thirteen deaths -were recorded in the same period, affortliisig a death- rate of 21 per thousivud. t One hundred and ten of the deaths occurred in children under live years-, amounting to 51 par cer.t. of the whole mortality, whtlei.03 had rcached the age oUive and sards. ) Tile chief causes of death were Measles, 3 scarlo t | fever,. 2 diptlieria, ] whooping ecagh* 7 typhis, 1; typhoid fever, 3 diarrhaia, 47 phthisis, 18 bronchitis* [ peneumonia, and pieuri >y, heart disease, 8 Caaicer i 3; and 13 from various accidents. j Tiie one noticeable tc-tti-ire in this return is the large I mortality from bowel couiplaiut. Summer diari-boaa 11as } been exceptionally fatal among yo iug children, mostly j under, twelve months, and accounts for our death rate f having been higher in this quarter than at the correspond- iugpariod of last year,, when it was only I G per thousand.) The mortality fro?a this complaint alone was at the J rate i'4 per thousand. f Ths conditions iaiourahle to., its developme-Et and j unci's:, which it attains its maximum, intensity, are a high # temperature, and dry air (through deficient rainfall) j reacting upon a filth polluted soil •.v.ithin :tnd immediately surrounding dwelling houses, where surface impurities are allowed to lodge and accumulate through vf.aut of cleanliness on the pn.t of the inmates. This may co-ex-st with a good general system of drainage, and is simply due to th neglect of the ordinary inaaas oi purification. The majority of deaths occurred in the lower, parts oi the town, and imihe districts inhabited by the poorer classes. Alany of these s,rects arc wide and the houses of low elevation, affording no shelter from the sun which was often for several days in succession of tropical intensity. The nights were also inconceivably close and, stifling, and the temperahre indoors c-iulcl only be c lx.pared to that of an oven. An infant se-zed with diKxhcea and exposad to these prejudicial influences, had but :1. slight prospect of recovery. The best chausg of saving its life would probably have been afforded by its immediate removal irom the foetid, suiiocatiug atmosphere in which it lay, to a purer and cooler air at a good elevation. But this is a course, of action hardly within the re-Lch of poor people. The mortality was therefore excessive and helped to swell up the death rate, -vhicb, but for this exceptional cause, would have compared favourably with-most towns of equal pop-iautioii. Lim, Geutlainen, Your obedient servant, B. Daxses, Medical OfFcer of Health." Newport, Mon., Nov. t'th, 1878. In reply; to Mr Beynon, Dr Da vita said he had found in two or three cases that adults had suffered from diarrhoea last summer through drinking the bad water supplied by the Water Works Company, and on the motion of Mr 3. Evans, it w:m$resolved that the Water Works Company be notiLed of what Dr Davies had now stated. Mr West said that, some time ago Dr. Davies had stated he thought the time had arrived when the pro- visions-of the Artisans' Dwellings, Act could be putin- to opasation. He wished to knew whether he wa3- still at the same opinion. Ds. Davies replied iu the affirmative. The report was adopted. W-EIGH'1 ,S AND MEASURES. The report of the Inspector of Weights and Measures was adopted.—Thu amount of fees reesived fnorn 1st August to 31st October had been £ 55 lis Td paid for repairing aud adjusting £ 24 2s Gd and for incidentals and Materia's, £ 2 6s Gel. PUBLIC ANAIJVSI'S KEPORT. The report sent in by Mr Thomas, the Borough Analyst, showed that on the 14th of June he- analysed 50 samples, and that during last quarter ho had also analysed 14 samples. About 20 convictions had been obtained during the half-year. -MISCaaLLANEO us. A letter from the Home Office with reference to the appointment of officers as Inspectors under the Ex- plosives' Act was read, and referred to. the next meet- ing of the Council On the motion of Mr- J. W. Jones, seconded by Mr H. R, Evans, it was resolved that the usual X21 cup be given to the Tredegar Cattle Show. On the motion of Mr. J. Moses, seconded by Mr. Huzzey, it was resolved that the Mayor, and Messrs. Lyue, G. W. Jones, Jacob, West, Vaughan, and Hichards, with the Chairman sf the Committees be ap- pointed to arrange as to who shall form the various Oommittees of the Council for the ensuing year. The Quarterly meetings were arranged to be held on the second Tuesday in the mouths of February, May, and August. Mr. J. Moses was duly appointed Deputy Mayor, and the presiding Aldermen for the various Wards were re-elected. THE PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE ASSIZES. The Deputy Town-Clerk read a letter from the Home Office, acknowledging the receipt of the me- morial sent by the Council some time ago, praying that the Monmouthshire Assizes should be removed to Newport. The matter had been duly considered, but their Lordships did not see sufficient reason for such a change. This terminated the meeting, which had lasted about three hours. The fortnightly meeting of the Watch Committee and Board of Health was held on Tuesday, when there were present :—The Mayor (J. Gibhs. Esq.,) the Ex- mayor (J. Moses, Esq.), Aldermen Lyue Harrhy and Jones Councillors Wyndham Jones, W. West, T. Beynon, H. R. Evans, J. Thompson, D. A. Vaughan, G. Hoskins, 0. GO;8, H. A. Huzzey, W. Oliver, J. It. Jacob, S. Goss, A. R. Bear, and E. Griffiths. S UPE IU NIK N Jj K N T'S HHPOHT. The usual report was read, but it contained nothing of importance, aDd the Superintendents promised that at the next meeting be would bring forward the report upon the memorial of the police for a reduction of hours. The Ex-mayor stated that the rules prepared by the Superintendent for the guidance of the police were too elaborate and lengthy, and on the motion of Mr H. K. Evans, seconded by Mr Wyndham Jones, the said rules were referred to the Mayor, Ex-mayor, and Deputy Town Clerk for revision. Mr Jacob said he found that there existed a con- siderable amount of complaint amongst the members of the police force, that they had no opportunity of attending Divine Worship on Sundays. Soldiers were compelled to attend some place ot worship once every Sunday, and sailors were able to attend when in port. He thought, therefore, that it was only rigbt and proper that the policemen should have an opportunity of attending to their highest interests, lie brought the matter forward, so chat it might receive attention at the hands- of the Council ia connection with the memorial of jibe men for a re arrangement of hours- Mr S. Goss believed the policemen- were willing to work witiiout an addition to their number, if the Superintendent could arrange it, so that they might attend chapel or church. Mr Beynon asked if it was a fact that the men were deprived of the opportunity of attending Divine Worship. The Superintendent replied that it was not. The roen could attend Divine worship far better now than, they would be able to under the eight hours system. Mr J acob declined to accept the Superintendent's; reply as final 00 this point. Theue might be a difference of opinion. He asked that the matter should be properly investigated. M:> H. R. Evans, enquIred. how many men were on duty on Sundays, fram nine in the morning until six in tho evening. The Superintendent: Eight out of &>: The matter then dropped. colis-utok's EETCRNS. The Collector's returns showed that he had received in cash-during the fortnight jESlO total deductions, £109 3eT 1^d total amount of rate got in,. ,Ji91917s2^1; remaining to be got in. £3,928 10s 3d; total of rate received, £ 9,279 2s j>d. BATHS AJJ-D WASH-HOUSES. Mr. West said that some months ago he submitted some propositions to the Council, but, at the request of Alderman Lyne and most of the members then present, he agreed to postpone them until something was determined on the Assize question. That matter now having fallen through, he thought he had a fair claim to submit the propositions again. They were in connection with three matters to which he had adverted 911 several occasions-Public Baths and Wash- houses, tho utilisation of Friar's Fields, -iiid putting into operation the provisions of the Ar.iaans' Dwell- ings Act. He knew those schemes would involve an outlay of large sums of money. His principal object was not to-put these questions to the Public Works Committee for their immediate consideration, but to get Uit-m referred to the Committee, so that: when they thought the proper time-had arrived they should deal with them. He read a proposition to that effect, and Mr. GriSths seconded the motion. Mr. H. R.-Evans fue), concurred with a good deal of Mr. West's remarks. He could not help thinking that they could erect dwellings for the poor on the southern portion of thair property in Friar's-fields without interfering with-the making of the new street. Speaking generally, he was strongly in favour of the 9 propositions put forward' by Mr. West. It so happened that he was- associated, in London with a very large company baring for its special object the providing of dwellings br the poor in the city of London. Thev bad spent something like £ 80,000 in carrying out that object. The Metropolitan Board of Works-had power to acquire L'-nd under an Act of Parliament, but they were hound to devote a certain proportion, of the land they acqairsd for houses-for the poor, either building themselves or allowing private companies to do so. He was of that it was rather a diSeult thing for a Corporation to bm:d a property and manage it itself; but if it was possible for them to let their ground on t-be south of if liar's-tield3 to suebeompanies as existed in London, with the stipulation that the houses should be built under the direction of the Board and its surveyor, be thought it was very, likely to be more successfully managed than if it was managed by the Board. Mr. Jacob disked whether the Metropolitan Board of Works had. this power under the Artisans' Dwelling Act or under a special Act. Mr. H. Evans kilder special Acts. • Mr. Jacob: Then our positions are not parallel. They have got special Acts, and we Ibionly the Artisans' Dwellings Art. Mr. Vaughan enquired how wa; it, when there were 500 or 60t) vacant houoes in the town the present tune, that it was thought necessary to discuss the Artisans' Dwellings Act. Mr. Jacob was of opinion that Mr. West should have givell,the Council more information). Alderman Jones was very glad that Mr. West had*, again raised.the question. The motion was put to the meeting aDd carried. THE SJCCHAXGE CLOCK- The Town Surveyor presented a certificate to the- effect thai, the clock, erected by Mr. R. J. Whitehall in the tower of the Exchange had been going since Monday, and recommended that Mr. Whitehall should be paid £lW.on account of the work. Some discussion followed. It waSisated by the Surveyor that it was proposed to alter the colour of the hands of 1;he clock from geld to dark blue, in order to render them .more distinguish- able in the day time, and that certain other alterations had to be- effected before the clock, could be said to have been completed. A motion directing the payment of the mccey to Mr. Whitehall wns agreed to. THE CWaORATIC-K AND THE WATSR WORKS COMPANY. Alderman Jones asked if tho Water Works Com- pany had taken any notice of the communication ad- dressed; to it by the Corporation, with reference to the recent report o'.j. the condition of the water supply. Ths-Deputy Town Clerk replied that the Secretry of the (Jompany had acknowledged the receipt of the letter, and had promised to lay it before his Directors, Alderman Tories then movedithat another cooamuni- cation^ pointing out the salient points of the Water Supply Committee's report, should be sent to the Company, asd asking them ta repty to it. Mil-Jacob seconded, because he felt it was a very iiayortant matter. In answer to Mr. Beyno-n, The Deputy Town Clerk said that he wrote to the Company about a mocth ago.. Mr. Beyuon thereupon said that if the Company %>ok no notice of the second letter he thought that the Deputy Town Clerk ought to be instructed to take action against the Company to compel them to supply the town with pure water. Whon the time arrived, ha was prepared to mave, that the Corporation so in- struct the Deputy Town Clerk. The motion was then carried. A SPECIAL MEETING was then held. The Deputy Town Clerk read the following repost. of the Selection Committee "At a meeting of the Selection Committee, held at on -1 the Council-house, on Monday, the 11th of November,. 1878, present—J-oseph Gibbs, Esq. (Mayor), in the chair Aldermen Davis, Lyne, and Jones; Messrs. Moses, Vaughan, B. Evans, G. Hoskins, W. Jones, and Beynon. The following recommendations were determined upon for the consideration of the Council at the ad- journed quarterly meeting on the 12th inst. The Watch Committee to consist, as heretofore, of all the members of the Council. The Urban Sanitary Authority Committee to cease to exist. "The Public Works Committee, Lighting, and Property Committee to consist of the Mayor, Alder- men Lyne and Murphy, Messrs Moses, Bolt, W. Jones, Husaey, J. W. Jones, Bear, Thompson^ Vaughan, L. A. Homfray, and Hoskins. The Finance Committee to consist of the Mayor, Aldermen Llewellin aud Harrhy, Messrs. YV. Jones, B. Evans, H. It. Evans, Vaughan, Maddock, Jacob, and Bear. "The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, Hospital and Port Sanitary Authority to consist of the Mayor, Alderman Jones, Messrs. Beynon, Hoskins, S. Goss, I Oliver, and Blake. "The Parliamentary and Improvement Act Com- mittee to consist of the Mayor, Aldermen Lyne, Llowellin, Murphy, Jones, and Davis, .Messrs. L. A. Homfray, Moses, Jacob, and H. R. Evans. The New Entrance Committee to consist of Alder- men Llewellin aud Lyue, and Mr. L. A. Homfray. "The Cabs and Fire Brigade Committee to consist of the Mayor, Messrs. Hoskins, Blake, S. Goss, and Richards. The Cemetery Committee to consist of the Mayor, Aldermen Davis and Harrhy, Messrs. O. Goss, Bear, Thompson, Maddock, Griffiths, and Huzzey. "The Free Library Committee to consist of the following members of the Council: — The Mayor, Alderman Jones, Messrs. Beynon, Moses, B. Evans, West, O. Goss, Blake, Vaughan, and Jacob. Other members :-The llevs. Canon Hawkins, T. Ll. Lister, P. Bedwell, and C. H. Bishop, Messrs. J. S. Stone, E. J. Smith, C. Kirby, W. N. Johns, A. Stonehouse, J. G. Watts, T. Jones, jun., Wood, H. J. Parnall, H. Phillips, J. Horner, W. L. Daw, Ll. Morns, W. M. Locke, A. J. Stevens, C. Gullum, W. Ward, and R. H. Johns. "The Committee further recommend that Council meetings be held on the second Tuesday in the months of December, Jauuaty, March. April, June, July, September, and October, at 11 a.m., in lien of the pre- sent Id-quarterly meeting, aud that the Watch Com- mittee meeting be held 011 the second aud fourth Tues- day in every mouth, at 11 a.m. That the Public Works, Lighting, and Property Committee meetings be held on the tirst aud third Tuesday in each month, at 11 a m. That the Finance Committee meetings be held on the last Friday in each month, at 1] a.m. that the Cemetery Committee meetings b3 held on the first Wednesday in each mouth, at 11 a.m. That the Free Library Committee meetings be held on the li.-sfc Tuesday in each mouth, at 8 p.m., at the Town-hall. "And that the other Committee meetings be held as required. "The Committee also recommend that each Com- mittee be empowered to appoint its own Chairman, and that the Calendar and Standing Orders he re- printed as amended, in accordance with the above recommendations. The Ex-Mayer, referring to that portion of the re- port naving regard to the Free Library, said it was suggested in Committee that the- names of certain out- side members should be taken off the Free Library ommitteo this was Dot done, however. The Mayor proposed that the report be adopted. If put luto effect jhis would bring m.some alterations, more particularly with regard to the holding of Council meetings. The Deputy Town Clerk told Committee that it would be far more satisfactory if instead of having fortnightly meetings of the Urban Sanitary Authority they were to have monthly meet- ings of the Council, so that matters &houid not as now first be decided by the Local Board of Health and then have to go before the Council far confirmation. HJ2 thought that the proposed arrangement would act better than the old piiui.. It was proposed to deal with matters connected with the Cou^igiI only once a Month, He desired it. to. be understood that so far as he was concerned he did nor desire that anything should be taken off the duties of his oGke, because he thought that during his year his time was at the dis- posal of the town—(hear, hear) but., as they would hear from gentlemen connected with the Committee, is was desirable that they should deal with important matters connected with the Council onae a month and should hold a Watch Committee meeting twice a month, at which they would only deai with matters connected with the police. The constitution of the several Committees was very carefully goue into, and In hoped that the alteration which had beeu made would meet with the general approval o3 the Corpora- tion. Alderman Lyne seconded the proposition, and quite concurred with what the Mayor had e-aid., The old asraugement in effect Conimittee reporting to another, which confirmed what it bad dene,, and then brought it before the Council. Actually, this mode of procedure was not legal. The Ex-Mayor supported the proposition, and men- tioned that the Deputy Town Clerk brought the pro- posed alteration before him some two or three months ago. He at once fell in with it. The report was adopted. THE EISPLOSIVES ACT. The Deputy Town Clerk read the following letter :— Home Office,.2nd September 1878. Explosives Act, 1875, "SIR,In reference to your letter of the 17th August, 1878, relative to the above, ia which you state that no officers have been specially appointed to see the Act carried out, but that the Horough Constabulary generally have Instructions to that effect, it is my duty to point out that such an arrangement caa hardly meet the necessities of the case. The Borough Constabulary possess no power of inspec- tion of registered premises, (of which there are, according to your return, 25), and can only enter such premises under a search warrant or special authority (sec. 73.) But the whole scope and .intention of the system of registration established by the Act, are curtailed, and frustrated if the various registered premises he not systematically inspected, and the Act (sec. (59) accordingly provides the mar.hiuery (in the form of a power to local authorities to .^poiut oiiicers with authority to enter and inspect registered premises, &c), to enable such inspections to be carried out. If ail vantage be Dot taken of these powers, the machinery of the Act, directed to this-end, is inopera- tive. Moieover it is inevitable that the work (which is to a great extent of a technical character, and in all sases demands care and an attentive examination of the provisions of the t\.ct, for its effectual discharge) 3-houid be less efficiently-, tli.scb:1.ïgec:, by a number of constables acting under gelleral instructions and with no specific or suffioieut authority, thau by one or more well qualified and specially authorised officers (as the Chief Constable or Superintendent.) It was certainly supposed -it the time the Corporation applied to be created a Local Authority under the Act that they would fully exercise the powers vested in them thereunder, aud auvong those powers one of the most important aud indispensable, is the appointment of qualified officers under section GiJ. I trust, therefore, that this matter will receive your attention, ..oJ, that steps will be taken to rectify this omission, and to establish a-regular and efficient, system of local inspection. I may add that the officers-will tind all necessaries, to the discharge of their duties in the Official Guide Bookto the Act-.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your- obedient servant, G. D. Ma «v!e>t>ie, Major R.A., "Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Explosives.. The Tovvji Clerk, Newport, Mon." On the motion of Mr Jacob,, seconded bv Alderman Jones, the letter was referred to the Public Works Committee,. The Coraicil then rose..