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MORPETH BOROUGH COUNCIL. ,
This Council held its fortnightly meeting on
Tuesday evening. Present : Tho Mayor,
Aldermen W. Keating, Wingrave, Meiklejohn,
Dickson, Tulip, Mount, and Jones. The
minutes of the previous meeting were read and
confirmed.
Correspondence.-The only correspondence
oonsistcd of a letter from the Commissioner for
Railways, which stated that the Government
?lid not recognise the claim made by the
Counoil for £14 17s 6d, rates due on land
token by tbo Government for railway pur-
poses.-In reference to this letter the Mayor
explained that the olaim of the Council was
for arrears of rates due upon some of tbe
property by the Government for rail-
way purposes. According to tho Aot such
arrears remain a chargo upon* the pro-
perty, and the Government being the present
owners were liable to the Council. In illustra-
tion of this position he argued that the case was
just the sime os though the Government had
taken over a property upon which a mortgage
existed lu that coso the Government would
be liable for ail charges upon the property, and
in the present case they were liable for the rates
that were due when they took possession of the
property. He could not help thinking that the
Government had acted most unfairly towards
that Council in that and in other mattera.
Alderman Keating thought that if the Aetgave
them power to collect rates from one person
they had power to collect them from another, *
ind therefore the Council were quito justified in
looking to tbe Government for these rates. He
wished to know whether they had had any
legal opinion on the subject.-The Mayor
replied that they had had opinions from legal
gentlemen of both branches of the profession,
who wco of opinion that the Council conld re-
cover theso rates from the Government.
Finance Committee -The bank book, made
up to the present time, was laid upon the table
for the information of the members. , -
Improvement Committee.-The Mayor re-
ported, on behalf of this committee, that Alder-
man Sim and himself had had a long interview
with Mr. Bewick, of the Great Northern Rail-
way staff, and had shown that gontleman all the
various matters in eonncotiou with the railway
that required attending to. Among these mat-
ters, Mr Bewick promised that the drain and '
the fences in George street should be attended
to ; at the platform, he stated that it was bis
intention to erect an iron shed for the accom-
modation of passengers, and also to bave stone
steps constructed to the water's edge. Other
matters,, in Tank and Steam streets, were also
brought under Mr. Beniok's notice, whioh he
promised should receive attention -The Mayor
then moved that a report of this committee,
which hod been brought np at a former meeting,
be now adopted -The motion was seconded by
Alderman Tulip, and carried.
Kebbino and Guttering- in Giobqi
stbeet.-The Mayor stated that tho next busi-
ness was a motion of Alderman Sim (postponed
from the last, meeting), with referenoe to the
continuation of the kcrbing and guttering of
George-street, near the New Company's atores.
That alderman was not present, and it was for
the Council to say whether they should postpone
the'motion until he wps present, or whether
some alderman should move the motion for
Alderman Sim-Alderman Wingrave moved
the resolution. He thought the Council would
have to do this work Bomo time or other, and it
would be considered a debt upon them until it was
finished.-Alderman Tulip seconded the motion.
-Alderman Keating moved as an amendment
that the motion stand over until Alderman Sim
be present-Alderman Moffitt seoonded the
amondment, which was supported by Alder«
men Jones and Dickson.-The amendment waa
carried.
The Culvert at Dobdb's. - Alderman
Wingrave moved that the improvement com-
mittee be authorised to oarry out the repairs to
this structuro, as recommended in a report
adopted some timo previously.-Alderman
Tulip seoonded the motion, which was sup-
ported by Alderman Diokson and carried.
Assessment Sheet. - The annual assess-
ment sheet was hid upon the tabla
and was adopted on the motion of
the Mayor, seconded by Alderman Meikle-
john. - A- late was then struck of
Is. in the pound, on the motion of the
Mayor, seconded by Alderman Keating-The
Mayor then moved, and Alderman Diakson
seconded, that the rates be collected in half
yearly instalments. The motion was carried.
The Mayor moved, and Alderman Wingrove
seoonded, that the corporate seal be attached to
the assessment sheet. This was also carried.
Some acoonnts were presented and passed,
and the Council adjourned until next Tuesday
week.
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