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-ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL.

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ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. A special meeting of the members of the above Council was held on Tuesday, at 10 o'clock, the Mayor (Mr. D. C Roberts) presiding. The other members present were Aldermen David Roberts and Capt. Boughton, Councillors C. M. Williams, J. P. Thomas, Isaac Hopkins, T. E. Salmon, E. H. James,' Robert Doughton, R. J. Jones, Mr. A. J. Hughes (town clerk), Mr. Massey (assistant clerk), Mr. Rees Jones, (borough sur- veyor), Mr. H. L. Evans (borough accountant). The'minutes of last meeting were read and con- firmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. Jones, Talbot, wrote applying for permissioi to place a coal hole opposite the Hotel, similar t( those before the other houses. It was proposed by Councillor R. J. Jones anc seconde d by Councillor Robert Doughton, am passed that the matter be referred to the Fublic Works Committee, who should have power to act Ann Price, Gray's Inn-road sent in an applicatior for a site in Smithfield-road on which to erect a cow-shed. This matter was referred to the Finance Com. mittee. „ A communication was read from Mrs. Hariord, )- niie I I Falcondale, and Mr. Gwynne Hughes, Tregib, thanking the Council for the sum of £5 which they subscribed towards the Welsh Industries Exhibition, and also thanking the Council for their assistance. REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee, consisting of the Mayor, Aldermen W. H. Palmer and Peter Jones, Councillors John Jenkins, C. M. Williams (chap- man), the Borough Accountant, and the Town Clerk, met on September 26th, and now presented their report. The labour sheets and bills due from the Corporation were examined and passed, to the amount of iP,360 18s. 8d. Half-year's interest .■. ora the following departments due from the Corpora- tion on the 10th October, were ordered to be paid Borough Fund Account £ 63 16s. Od.; General District,' £ 215 2s. 8d.; Waterworks, £ 193 9s. Id.; and Harbour Fund, Z108 lLs. Od. Total. E686 2s. 9d. The repayment was ordered of a loan of Z100 advanced to the Corporation by Mr. B. E. Morgan on the Harbour Account. This part of the report of the Finance Committee was adopted. MR. GIBSON'S BILL. The Finance Committee reported that Mr. Gibson's bill was again presented to them after being compared with the tender at the Town Clerk's office, where a large number of errors were discovered, amounting in the aggre- gate to about C5 15s. 4d. The Finance Committee instructed the Town Clerk to see Mr. Gibson in reference to the matter and report to the next meeting of the Committee. The Town Clerk read a letter which he received from Mr. Gibson, who stated that his charges for printing the agendas and abstract of accounts were correct? and that the corrections made in the charges for market toll books, time sheets, and burgess list are right. Mr. Gibson asked for the payment of his bill, which he said was consider- ably overdue. Councillor C. M. Williams proposed that the recommendation of the Finance Committee be adopted with the addition that the cheque for £ 74 14s. 4d. be drawn in favour of Mr. Gibson; that being the amount due after making the de- ductions, and that the amount in dispute be referred to the Finance Committee. Councillor Isaac Hopkins asked why Councillor C. M. Williams was particular with some persons and not particular with others. Councillor C. M. Williams: Mr. Williams is not more particular with Mr. Gibson than with others. It was my duty as chairman of the Finance Com- mittee to see that all bills were duly checked, and that is all I have done in the case of Mr. Gibson's bill. Councillor T. E. Salmon thought it would be better to let the Finance Committee to go fully into the whole matter. It was ultimately passed that the recommenda- tion of the Finance Committee be adopted, and that a cheque for the amount, as corrected, viz., P,74 14s. 4d., be drawn. HARBOUR COMMITTEE. A report was presented by the Harbour Com- mittee, held on 25th September, when there were present :-Councillors E. H. James, 1. Hopkins, Robert Doughton (Chairman), with the Boroutil Accountant. The only question under considera- tion was that of the Harbour Moorings, but it was deferred until the return of the Surveyor. Councillor Robert Doughton proposed the ad- option of the repoit of the Harbour Committee. which was passed. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The report of the above committee, which con- sisted of Alderman Thomas Doughton, Peter Jones (Chairman), Councillors E. H. James, Robert Doughton, John Jenkins, Isaac Hopkins, with the Borough Accountant and the Town Clerk was heard." At this committee Mr. Richards presented a modified plan with respect to a door for the St. George's Hotel. The matter was deferred in order to confer with the Chief Constable. The plan of the Weston Vaults were considered, and the Com- mittee recommended that the same be approved of subject to a covenant being inserted in the new lease that the lock-up shop shown in the plan be not used as part of the licensed premises and that no communication between the lock-up shop and the rest of the premises be made without the Consent of the leases. Capt. Doughton proposed and after a long dis. Cussion it was finally carried that the recommenda- tion of the Public Works Committee be adopted. MARKETS COMMITTEE. Alderman Thomas Doughton, Councillor E. H. James (chairman), Robert Doughton, with the Borough Acconntant, members of the Market Com- mittee, reported that a letter was received from Mr. Studt applying for the use of the Smithfield Market for the November fairs, and asking the council to reconsider the price (P,7 7s.) and offer- ing £6 6s. The Committee regretted they could not recommend the Council to deviate from the the terms already given. The recommendation of the Markets Committee was accepted. LEASES OF PENMAESGLAS ROAD AND VULCAN STREET. The application by Messrs. S. H. Jones Parry, J. V. Colbv, and H. H. Vaughan for a renewal of the leases of Nos. 24 and 26, Penmaesglas-road, and 14, Vulcan-street, was referred to the Finance Committee, 'MR. GIBSON'S LEASE. 1n the absence of Alderman Peter Jones, "Councillor T. E. Salmon moved, and Councillor Isaac Hopkins secondedThat having regard to the reply by the Local Government Board to the Town Clerk's letter of the 15th October, 1897, with reference to the application of Mr. John Gibson for a renewal of premises No. 38, Terrace- road, the said application be referred to the Finance Committee for their consideration and ^Councillor C. M. Williams proposed that the the matter be not referred to the Finance Com- mittee on the ground that it had been fully discussed by that Committee on several occasions. Mr. Gibson simply had a sub-lease of the premises from the Rev. J. Edwin Jones and that being the the case he felt very strongly that it would be most unfair and unjust on the part of the Council to grant a renewal to any person other than the rightful owner of the premises which, in this case, was the Rev. J. E. Jones, and this was the principle upon which the Council had always acted in the matter of renewals. In no single case since the Council had commenced granting renewals had they granted a renewal to a sub-lesee in the position of Mr. Gibson and were the Council now going to introduce a new method in renewals by which the original lessee was refused a renewal .and to grant it to a person wno simply held the premises as a tenant with a lease. Mr. Williams pointed out that in paragraphs and articles written by Mr. Gibson, the public were asked to believe that there was no difference between this lease and other leases. It was also stated by Mr. Gibson that he possessed all the interest and held the deeds. If that be true that Mr. Gibson holds the deeds, there cannot be any 4ifficulty in granting Mr. Gibson an ordinary renewal inasmuch as if the deed are in his possession, he can surrender to the Corporation and secure a renewal. But has he the deeds ? I am not aware that he has purchased the premises from Mr. Jones and unless he has done so be cannot hold the deeds. If not he has not the necessary deeds to enable the Corporation to grant him a renewal. It is open for Mr. Gibson at any time as I understand to pur- chase the house from Mr. Jones. But that is a matter for him; what we have to consider is. whether it is fair that the Council in this case should grant the renewal to a tenant with a lease and paying a yearly rent or grant to the actual owner as we have done in all other cases, as you are all aware. Mr Gibson is trying to lead the public to believe that I have a strong persona feeling in this matter. That statement is entirely wrong and misleading. I have no personal feeline of any kind in the matter except that I am only anxious to do in this case what has been done ir all other cases, namely, that a renewal should only he granted to the person who had either built or purchased the house, and in this case Mr. J. Edwin Jones had the house after his father and held the lease to the last day. That being so I asked the Council seriously whether it was right to grant a lenewal to anyone but Mr. Jones, and I have no hesitation in saying that, in my opinion, it would be neither fair nor just; and I hope the Council would never grant it to Mr. Gibson until lie had purchased Mr. Jones' interest, and when Mr. Gibson does that he will get a renewal from this Council in a very short time. Councillor R. Doughton stated that he was of the same opinion now as before that Mr. Gibson had no claim whatever to ask for a renewal for a lease of his house as it was the property of the Rev. J. E. Jones. And if the Council did grant a renewal to Mr. Gibson to his mind it would simply be taking fiom Mr. Jones a house worth about F,500, That i would be very wrong indeed, and he hoped the ) Council would never do such an unfair act. Alderman Doughton said that he saw no harm in I a 'erriiig the matter to the Committee but he did not say that he held the same views now in refer- ) crce to the matter as when it was before the Council on previous occasions. i Councillor E. H. James said that as far as lie i could understand that Mr. J. Edwin Jones was the owner of the house, and the only person in a position to sell, and he had not altered his opinion Mrice it was discussed before, namely that Mr. Jones was the only person entitled to a renewal. Councillor J. P. Thomas asked the Town Clerk if he understood that Mr. Jones was the only person who could sell. The Town Clerk was understood to say that that was so. Mr. Hopkins said that Mr. C. M. Williams, Mr. Ei DOllghton, and others, had voted for a resolution i'tt all owners must apply for a renewal within six years of the expiration of the lease, that being so, Mr. J. E. Jones was put out of court. Mr. Doughton I did not. Mr. Hopkins I can prove it. The Mayor: If you do not keep in order I cannot continue the meeting. Mr. Hopkins I rise to a point of order (laughter). The Mayor: That is not a point of order, and unless you are quiet the business cannot go on. Mr. Hopkins: The meeting is not carried on properly. Mr. Williams (appealing to the members) Are you going to allow the Mayor to be treated like this ? The Mayor: I can conduct the meeting myself. Mr. Hopkins: I know you, Mr. Williams. The Mayor: Will you please conduct yourself properly. Mr. Hopkins: I can conduct myself as you. Mr. R. Douglitou This is it. Are you going to kick a man when he's down ? I am sure Councillor Salmon would not do that Mr. Salmon: Why name Mr. Salmon more than anybody else ? Mr. Hopkins: Let us be straightforward and honest. Mr. Williams: You are a bright one to talk (laughter). Mr. Hopkins: I want Mr. Gibson to get fair play. Mr. Williams rose to a point of order. Mr. Hopkins You sit down. Mr. Williams I am not going to be ordered by Mr. Hopkins. The Mayor asked Mr. Hopkins to confine himself to the matter before the meeting. Mr. Williams proceeded to make an explanation, when Mr. Hopkins interrupted him and called upon him to be upright and honest. Mr. Williams: Am I to put up with this man as if he is the only honest man in the Council ? Mr. Hopkins The public will judge. Mr. Williams If you have anything to charge me with I will discuss it. The Mayor said he did not anticipate any dis- cussion on the matter of referring the matter to the Finance Committee. Strong expressions of opinion had been given on both sides. He did not see that because members held different opinions that they should use strong language towards one another. He pointed out that in this case owing to Mr. Gibson holding the sub-lease that he was the only person in a position to improve the pro- perty. Mr. C. M. Williams stated that Mr. Hopkins was entirely wrong in referring to Mr. Jones' posi- tion, he having applied for a renewal long before the resolution of six years limit had been passed. If he had not done that the resolution might affect him. Councillor Salmon said that he moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee, as he was anxious as a new member to have all the information possible on the matter. He had already had considerable information from the chairman of the Finance Committee and would possibly get more again in the committee. The resolution was then put to the vote when it was carried to refer it to the Finance Com- mittee for consideration and report. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. It was resolved that Trefor-road, Lisburne- terrace, Lnvcden-road, Britannia-court, Chalybeate- court, Cambrian Cottages (Llanbadarn), and Trinity-court be renewed, levelled, paved,'metalled, flagged, channelled, and made good and lighted, according to the provisions of the Private Streets Act 1892, and that the expenses incurred by the Urban Sanitary District in executing the said works be apportional (subject as in the above Act) on the premises fronting, adjoining, or abutting on such streets. Councilor C. M. Williams expressed the hope that the Town Clerk would have the necessary notices drafted as soon as possible so that the improvement could be carried out without delay. The Council then went into committee to con- sider Dr. Harries' application for a lease of a plot of land to make a winter garden and lake.

CORRIS.

ABERDOYEY.

ABERAYRON.

TREGARON.

MACHYNLLETH.

PENLLWYM

DEVIL'S BRIDGE.

LLANDDEWI BREFI.

LLANILAR.

LLANON.

LLANYBYTHER.

LLANBADARN.

BALA

TOWYN.

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