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GKNEKAIJ PUiiP SES C\Ill\LITTEE.…

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GKNEKAIJ PUiiP SES C\Ill\LITTEE. WKI>NESL»AY, JANVAIY 12TJI. Pre,ient :Aiiieriti,,tii K Smith, ex-Mayor, chair- man Alderman Y. Stracihsiu, Alderman John Williams; Councillors G. Bradley (mayor), Jno. Jones, W. E. Samuel, W aiter Jones, Rii-hurd Jon-'d, C. Huxey, I)avid Jones, and T. Ingham Mr riiom.va Bury, tuwn clerk; Mr Ll. Williams, medical Mr J. W. M. Smith, borough surveyor Mr D. Hi^iiiiis, inspector of nuisances. THlè HEALTH OF THE BOKOUGH. Mr 1.1. Wi:!iam- medical officer, reported that limp" the] flth December 26 births bad been registered as oCCiirt-ing m ithiu the borough—eleven males and liiieen females, making the rate 29 per 1000 per annum, the approximate census at the pre-ent date being 10,720. Only four deaths had occurred, thy rate of mortality being only 4.4. These all took place in the week ending January lilt. No case of zvmotic disease had been re- ported and Mr Williams concluded his report by expressing the wish that his reports, so auspiciously commenced might continue to prove as favorable throughout the year. As bearing upon the low death-rate, the Town Clerk observed that the total cemetery receipts for the month of December only amounted to 18s. (Hear, hear.) INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT. Mr l). Hiiryins presented his usual report book, and, referring especially to uiinals, stated that the situation of the urinal in Henbla3-atreet rendered it very dark on the inside, and it thus became the resort of persons for improper purposes. The most vff-nsivr nasaiices were committed there by boys who congregated in large numbers in that street of a night, and he would therefore suggest that a light be placed in the urinal and that the inside walls be whitewashed. He had on several occasions lately found the urinal in Ri vulet-road in a filthy state, and as there was no drainage or water supply attached thereto, he would recommend that these be added, or the urinal removed. He begged to call attention to the several courts and alleys lead- ing out of some of the principal streets in the borough, where nuisances were committed to the annoyance and danger to the health of the inhabi- tants of the neighbourhood. In some of these courts notices had been posted up at the expense of the owners of the property, but which have had but little effect in abating the nuisance. If a notice could be put up carrying the weight of the Sanitary Authority, he would suggest that this be done, the owners or the property to bear the expense, which, in several cases, they had signified their willingness to do. Mr Jno, Jones said these were nuisances which the police ought to take cognisance of and make a few examples before the magistrates. Mr Samuel said he knew the Bear Entry was an abominable place. Mr Jno. Jones said the nuisance was as bad in the public streets, from his own observation. The Chairman said he had frequently called attention to this nuisance when he had the honor of » seat on the borough bench, and the police, in a few instances, had paid some attention to the matter, but the nuisance was, nevertheless, being constantly repeated in all parts of the town. He th mght the lu st way would be to pass a resolution asking the chief constable to direct the police to give the matter their attention, and also with a vi. w of assisting the police that printed notices be posted up in certain places with the consent of the owners (,f property. This was agreed to. With regard to the urinal by the Pedlars' Market it was suggested that a light should be placed in it. and also in reference to the Rivulet- road urinal, that Messrs Jones and Rockc be re- quested to carry out their undertaking to properly cleanse the same The Mayor said there were two things connected with the urinal at the Ped!ara'Market one was the light and the other the cleansing. The urinal was extensively used, and he thought a constant supply of water, under such circumstances, absojutely necessary. He had called the attention cf the Borough Surveyor and Tnspcctor of Nuisances to tho matter, but he never smelt any disinfectant there. although he did smell a most offensive stench both regularly and abominably. He did not wish to press the matter, but personally he was an advocate for all such places having on a regular water supply. The Chairman said a resolution had been passed directing that disinfectants should be used and the places flushed regularly. Mr Higgins replied that this was doue regularly every morning, Sundays and all. After some further discussion it was reBolved, on the motion of Mr Samuel, seconded by Alder- man Strachan, that a lamp be fixed on a pedestal on the coping of the urinal wall, so as to light in- side and outride, and that instructions be given to the Inspector ol Nuisances to pay especial atten- tion to the cleansing of this particular urinal. I SEVEN BRIDGK LANE. I At the suggestion of Mr Walter Jones the ques- tion of the removal of the lamp in Seven Bridge Lane to the corner of the street next the Beast Market, or the erection of a new lamp, was re- ferred to the Borough Surveyor to report upon. REQUIRES EXPLAINING. The Town Clerk said a return had been called for by the Privy Council as to the amount expended during the last year under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, and in reference to this matter he wished to point out that Mr Kennedy, their in- spector under the Act, had been paid his salary of SIO a year by the county. At the same time, Mr Kennedy was clearly an officer appointed by the Town Council as the Local Authority, and he therefore wished for instructions to inquire from the Clerk of the Peace under what Act of Parlia- ment the county paid Mr Kennedy direct, instead of paying the money through the hands of the Cor- poration as the Local Authority ? It was at pre- sent a charge upou them through the county as jaying through the county rate the county, how- ever, paid Mr Kennedy direct, and he could not help thinking that the Local Authority should pay their officer themselves. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor Do we pay more than our quota The Town Clerk: That I cannot say. Mr Jno Jones If it comes in the shape of a rate, it comes in a very diluted form. The Town Clerk It does come in a diluted form. At present the county pay Mr Kennedy his aaiary, at the same time he is appointed by this Council, and must be so appointed. Under the Act, t:ie Local Authority are compelled to appoint an In- spector to see that the Contagious Diseases Act and the orders in Council are carried out, and Mr Kennedy is paid for this a regular sum of £ 10 per annum. I have ascertained, however that Mr Kennedy is paid by the county, and I wish to find out how this is! He is paid by the Council for work in the borough, and by the county for special cases outride the borough. On the motion of Mr Ald. Strachan, the Town Clerk was instructed to write to the C,erk of the Peace, asking for full particulars respecting the matter. The Mayor asked if the Town Clerk had received any instructions from the Local Government Board w ith respect to the present outbreak of infectious ditiease up and down the country in regard to in- fected animals? The Town Clerk replied that the only com- munication he had received was when the disease first broke out, and he had then received instruc- tions in regard to the removal of all animals within an area proved to be infected. He had received nothing else. THE STREETS AND THE TRAFFIC.—A COMPLAINT. The Town Clerk read the following letter from Mr J. B. Murlcss, proprietor of the Wynnstay Arms Hotel DEAR MR TOWN CLERK,—There is a Society for the pre- vention of ctuelty to dumb animals, the officerof which has from time to time brought before the borough Bench what has appeared to me si me very absurd cases. I notice, how- ever. they always get a conviction, so 1 suppose I am mis- taken about their heinz absurd. Hut wt.at now induces me to write is that I have often thought the above effiner may well apply his attention te the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors, the borough Sur- veyor or whose business it may be to have the road and footpath from the railway station to the town made pass- able for man and beast. A month last fair day, a heap of cow manure was de- posited in the middle of the footpath by Dr Eyton-Jones' wool I saw it a little after aeven in the morning and again b< twePD fix and seven in the evening so it had remained there to my knowledge through the whole fair day. After the two last falls of snow, and the last in particular, the footpath was a disgrace to the town. I came from the gqtation about half-past ten a.m., when the right-hand side to the station had nothing done to it past the Savings Bank two men were working the other side. the one letut used, and I thought if they worked hard by evening they might get as far as the Catholic Chapel. Now ai to cruehy to a imals, we poor people who so cht-erruiiy P2 V vour rat, 9 think our horses deserve better treatmt-nt at your h-iiids. From the top of Hope-street to the station is frequently very slippery when it is not so an where else and has been so especially lately. I have seen this bit of road so slippery that when norses can ao their work with and comfort elsewhere, they can scarcely stand here. I have seen Mr Walker's horses to- gether with uiyonn :,n.l others in a frightful stateof perspira- tion from nothing tut fear. I think it was the past day of the old year my man was obliged to leave his omnibus at the s-at-on while he c-ime to town with his horsrs to be sharpenert. I really did think our officials would h ve had some gnivel. ashes, or something put on to make it passable, and seeing neth n: ilotie I called 0.. Mr Smith on Saturday last to citli his attention to it when he su;zgesto that 'he hcrse- 'should be turned up. Now this is just what. I wanted to avoid, and it struck me that Mr Smith d d not realize the risfc and expense of hiving horses turned up I know horse owners who would much prefer put'ing h .lf lu:ids behind their horses or even leaving them for a time i-fle, rather than incur the r sk of turning up. The ratepay. rs have lately b"en put to he expense of a steam rvl ar, and a most useful thing it is, but su-ely we otight to have the full I-etiefit of it, in place of which I have t en the metal remain on the road for davs before it is r illed in, and have spoken to Mr Smith about it We have just lately had new nietal put on just the steepest part of Town Hill, wbLb wxs allowed to be worked in 1,y the t'-affic. Th it is surely nut giving us the benefit of what our money bat purchased. Trusting that tlu- matter may he seen into by the Conncil. I- isz! dear sir N ours fa,thfully, Wrexham, 10th January, 18S1. J. B. J,{niL::M, The Town Clerk said he bad acknowledged the receipt of this letter, which he had promised to lay before thr Committee that day. Alderman J. Williams thought the borough sur- veyor onght to be called upon to exp'aiu matters. The Chairman said with regard to the road near the station be thought Mr Murless' remarks were tincalled for. as he didn't think there was a better I road in the borough, but he could bear him out in I n'gard to the state of the footpaths. whi_ch were so slippery since the frost hi(I set in that people could t-carceh- stand upon them. He had himself asked one of the Corporation men to put some sand on the footpaths, which was done, and he thought the surveyor should see that sand, or something of that sort, was put upon the causeways in slippery I Mr Samuel thought it would be very desirable to put on & number of extra men to clear the snow from some of the footpaths. Alderman Strachan said he could fully bear out what Mr Murless said in regard to the slippery character of the road referred to. It was no doubt due to the immense traffic, and to him it was really I p,alllful to witness the horses actually trembling 'l)pll with fear, and all through the slippery nature of the roads. It would be a great saving, and a relief to both horses and pedestrians, if a few loads of gravel or sand were put upon the road. (Hear, hear.) Mr Richard Jones said Mr Murless praised the steam roller in one part of his letter and con- demned it in another, Was it likely, he would ask, that the Corporation were going to put loads of gravel on a road after it had been properly rolle(I ? Were they going to listen to every little complaint of this kind ? It was out of the ques- tion. The road might be slippery, but they must remember that that was the effect of the roller itself, and the road was really a very good one. The Mayor I think we ought to hear the Roroncb Surveyor on the matter. The Buvuyh Surveyor said the chairman's re- marks in regard to this road were perfectly correct, in fact ho was much surprised to hear any com- plaints as to the state of the road, which was in first-class condition—far better than it ever was before. It had been the custom to put ashes on the roads, hut it was to their interest to avoid doing so, because putting ashes or gravel upon the streets spoiled them entirely. Mr Murless called upon him on the Saturday and they had gone on a cruise in search of ice, which, however, they could not find, and some of Mr Walker's men, incharge of heavy lorries, had stated that the road in question was all right. He should have put something on the road at all risks, if it had been necesary, and should, of course, do everything in his power con- sistent with the proper treatment of the roads. He did not think there was anything in Mr Mur- lcss's letter uh ch called for further explanation. The Chairman said Mr Murless asked why the stones were left loose on the Town Hill to be worked in by the traffic ? The Surveyor replied that that was done to remedy the very thing Mr Murless complained of, the stones being put down and the traffic allowed to work them in, on account of the hill being SO slippery for the horses. He was recurring now to the old system of putting down Bwlchgwyn stone, and letting it be rolled in by the traffic. Alderman Williams thought they had better leave this matter entirely in the hands of the Borough Surveyor, who was perfectly competent to to deal with it. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor Mr Murless has I think very pro- perly brought this question before us. We are the Local Authority, and one of our principal duties is to see that our roads and footpaths are passable. (Hear, hear.) In the exercise of this duty we have improved our streets unquestionably by the use ot the steam roller. We have made them so good in some places that they are really too good apparently for Mr Muriess. (Laughter.) These roads, however, were on Saturday very smooth, and I think Mr Murless had some just cause to complain. After Mr Murless had spoken to me, I spoke to the Borough Surveyor and walked towards the station, and I also thought the roads were very smooth. Alderman Strachan And also tho footpaths. The Mayor Mr Murlesa's letter applies t» boih. He speaks very strongly about cruelty to animals," and I know that Dr. Evans hadavtrv serious smash-up whilst turning out of King-street. He was not injured personally, I beiieve, but his trap was damaged to the extent of something like £20. I am given to understand that that was caused by the siipperyness of the roads, and I think if a little gravel was sprinkled on the main roads, which are travelled by a great number of horses, it would mitigate the nuisance to a very considerable extent, and at a comparatively small cost, and I don't think it would do much injury to the roads themselves. I think, however, Mr Murless is very illogical in what he says about the Town-hill. He says that although we have a steam roller we don't use it, but we have had dis- cussions about this matter, and have found it was better to let the roads be worked in a rougher stat in Town-hill and Yorke-streot, otherwise we could not have a safe road up theae steep hills. With regard to the footpaths, Mr Samuel has made a suggestion, and I think, if I go upon my own evidence, I should be inclined to give evidence on the same side to a very great extent. In such weather as we have, we ought to give the Surveyor discretion in these matters, and empower him to put on ten or twenty men a day, if necessary, in order to clear the footpaths. (Hear, hear.) I think it is the duty of this Board to make the footpaths passable both for our own population and for strangers, and I am disposed to move as a resolution that the surveyor be em- powered to employ in his discretion such a number of men as may be necessary on emergency to make our footpaths tolerably cleau. I saw only this morning perhaps twenty men standing by the I Town Hall ready to do this very work. I think it is desirable to have our roads in good condition both for the satisfaction of such gentlemen as Mr Murless and everybody else, and I therefore move that our surveyor be empowered to use his discretion in eirploying extra men to put the roads in good order in frosty and snowy weather. (Applause.) Alderman Williams said he had been supplicated by a lot of people that morning for work, and he thought it would be a matter of charity as well as a duty upon the Council to have the roads cleared. He therefore begged to second the resolution. The Town Clerk pointed out that it was obligatory under the bye-laws, upon all persons to attend to clearing tho footpaths opposite their own places of business. Mr Jno. Jones I beg to record my protest against the idea that the Town Council who employ people In this work is to do so through the medium of public charity. Let it be done as a matter of duty if it is done at all. I see also the possibiity of that discretion in the hands of the surveyor being used in excess, and I would suggest there- fore the addition of some such words as with the advice of the Mayor." The Chairman I don't think any resolution is is required upon the matter. Our officers discharge their duties faithfully and efficiently, and I think it would be sufficient to refer such complaints as we have received to-day to them to see to. If we give instructions to our surveyor or inspector of nuis- ances to use greater vigilance, I think that would be all that is desired. The Mayor That is just what this resolution does—a resolution is giving instructions. The Surveyor said on a snowy day like that it was understood that the men commenced to clear the footpaths the first thing they did, and a resolu- tion was therefore unnecessary. There were nine men at work that morning. The Chairman I venture to say there was not a single place in High-street cleared by your men this morning. Opposite the ftorth and South Wales Bank the snow was left untouched, and it is there now. Alderman Strachan Well, I can bear the Sur- veyor out this far, that the footway was cleaned from Mr Jar vis's shop to my office by nine o'clock this morning. Mr Jno. Jones I don't think it's well to rush into resolutions Isn't this duty supposed to be already devolving upon the Surveyor? The Town Clerk said the cause of the great laxity on the part of the inhabitants was due to the fact that the corporation cleared some portions of the footpaths, instead of which the inhabitants generally should be called upon to carry out the byelaws. The Mayor What is the byelaw ? The Town Clerk That they shall forthwith clean away any filth from the causeways. The penalty for not doing so is 40s and costs. All that the inspector has to do is to call the attention of people to the fact that there is an accumulation of tilth opposite their premises, and they would then employ persons to clear it away. Mr Higgins It wouldn't be done in a week in that way Alderman Strachan You wouldn't do one side of High-street. Alderman Williams Has the Borough Surveyor ever been instructed in previous years to employ- extra men during a time of mow ? The Surveyor No. Mr Richard Joues Well I hope we shall have no more snow (Laughter). The Town Clerk Well, gentlemen, it will be for you to consider whether you will seriously pass such a bye-law as the one I have referred vou to The Chairman Yes, it is no use our having bye- laws unless they are carried out. Mr Jnn. Jones: It's a blessed thing we don't have snow-falls very often—we should be snowed up here! (Renewed laughter.) You won't press your resolution, Mr Mayor? The Mayor Oh I don't know that. What is to impress the Surveyor's mind that he is to carry out what is embodied in mv resolution ? The Chairman It is already part of his duties. The Mayor Then the inference is that he has not done his duty ? Mr Jno. Jones Well, let that be. He has done it as far as he's able perhaps ? The Mayor Yea. The Chairman then put the resolution, which was lost on division, some of the members, how- ever not voting. HOPE-STRBRT WEIGHING MACHINE. I A commmnication was read from Mrs Parsonage offering to give up her weighing machine to the Council for the sum of E25, together with the right therewith to the use of the public street. Some discussion ensued on the subject, and it was ulti- mately decided, on the motion of the Mayor, to ac- cept Mrs Parsonage's offer, the Surveyor being instructed to look out for a suitable site for the machino, which, it was thought, might some time I be utilised by the Corporation. NEW COURT AND COUNCIL CHAMBER. I With reference to the question of obtaining the use of the Masonic Rooms for the purposes of a Council Chamber, the Chairman said a meeting of the Public Hall Company had been heid that morning, and it was expected that arrangements would be made for the construction of surveyor's offices as well as a Council Chamber, and the latter might also he used for the purposes of the borough court. Plans were being made, and, without going to very great expense, he thought they would be able to meet the requirements of the Council more satisfactorily than by granting them the use of the Masonic Rooms. THE FfOTPATII IMPROVEMENTS. The Borough Surveyor reported as to footpaths that since his last report the footpaths in Welling- ton, Erddig, and Poplar-roads, and also Chapel- street had been proceeded with as far as circum- stances would allow, and he now asked for instructions to proceed with the flagging of Abbot- street and High-street, where required. The Chairman thought the surveyor's attention should be called to the more business and central parts of the town, instead of such outlying dis- tricts as those mentioned in the report. He hoped, therefore, instructions would be given to proceed with those streets where the property was m-ire valuable—the integral portions of the town- and where better access to property was more greatly needed. After some remarks from Aid. Strachan. Mr Samuel said it was not wise to carry out too much work at this time of the year, and' he would suggest that the surveyor be. a Unwed to complete what he had now in hand before undertaking any other work. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman said he meant, of course, that what was in hand should be finished first, but when that was completed he thought the surveyor should direct his attention to the centre of the town before undertaking any more work in the adjoin- ing district. The Mayor proposed that the surveyor receive instructions to proceed next with the flagging of the footpaths in Abbot-street and High-street,, where necessary and that tenders for the flagging and kerbing of the footpaths in Abbot-street be advertised for. This was seconded by the Chairman and agreed to. PUBLIC LIGHTS. Several members spoke higlily in favor of the new Bray's patent lamp recently erected. on trial," on the bridge over the brook at the bottom of the Town Hill, the surveyor being requested to report as to the cost of consumption. STREET NOMEtrCLATtTRE. The Surveyor asked for instructions to carry out the work of re-painting the names of the various streets, courts. and alleys in the town, and also a complete system of numbering the houses. The Town Clerk said the Revising Barrister had frequently asked how places were named in the town, and it would assist the register very much indeed if the different courts were now properly named. The Mayor: Mr John Lewis, who, as we all know, is thoroughly practical in these matters, called upon me the other day and said, I see the borouyh surveyor is re-painting the names of the streets and numbering them, and I think it is most important that this should be done on a regular system throughout the borough." f quite agree with him, and he coin:,l tin d of a good many discrepancies, esjjeci d'y in the directi n of his tjtvn h,,uze. We shall aho fillll a good many of these discrepancies in different parts of the borough and I would suggest that the members for each ward s'lould go over the to-.tn and suggest any improvements that could be made in the different streets in their respective wards. I think it is desirable to adopt a uniform system of numbering, having the odd numbers on one side the street and the even numbers on the other. It is done so in most large tow tisind greatly facilitates the finding of houses by strangers to the town and I suggest therefore that, as far as possible, this system should be carried out. (Hear, hear.) Aid. Strachan Would the Corporation have power to after the names of courts and alleys as suggested, or as may lie required ? The Town Clerk I am not prepared to answer that, air. The Mayor Well I move that the members of each ward form a committee and go round with the surveyor and see whether there is anything in the names of the streets, or in the district that such names specify, needing alteration, and if so, to re- port the same to the General Purposes' Committee. This was seconded by Mr Walter Jones and carried. The consideration of certain plans for new build- ings submitted by the surveyor concluded the business of the committee.

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