The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-05-28 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING.

A meeting of the Council was held on Saturday
last. The members present were: the Mayor;
Aldermen Ayling and Dovenish • Councillors Hare,
Thomas, Hibbs, Joseph Tired, Drew, Harper,
Thompeoo, lililledge,Coucher, Roberts, and Howard.
A discussion arose respecting the prosecution of
three boys for carrying some parcels for a gentle-
man from the steam packet to his lodgings, and
receiving 9d. for their services, they not being
licensed porters.—The Milton said that if a porter
met the packets for the purpose of carrying
parcels he would no doubt make a good living, but
no licensed porters attended. It was thought desi-
rable that there should be a licensed porter ap-
pointed to the office, and the question was ordered
to be placed on the notice paper for discussion at
the next meeting.
The MAYOR said he had inquired the price for
the erection of iron steps near the pile pier, and
found that the expense would be £5O ; he had,
therefore, ordered a flight of stone steps to be
erected, at a coot of about. S.—Mr. THOMAS
t:;'erfht. that w heti the coat of aiiy work extruded
to Mayor should abide by the standing orders
of Coups*, and let the Council give the order in the
regular form of businem—Some rather high words
followed, when the minute book was referred to,
and it was found that the Council at the last meeting
authorised the Mayor to get the work done.—Mr.
THOMAS apologised to the Mayor, and Mr. Tunis?-
'OR told him he should net bring charges against
members of the Council unless he was confident of
being in the right.
The M•YOR said their business MOW Was to
elect an Alderman in the room of the
late Mr. Hancock, deceased. Mr. Isllctermax
said he hoped he should not be deemed out of
order in rising to propose, before they proceeded to
the election, a letter of condolence to the widow
and family of the deceased Alderman; and also to
make an order to place upon the minute book an
expression of their opinion of the late Mr. Han-
cock, who faithfully and satisfactorily discharged to
the last the duties of alderman and magistrate of the
borough, and who had several times so efficiently
discharged the olive of Mayor of Weymouth and
Melcombe ltegis Be was, at the time of his death,
the oldest member of the Corporation, and he
begged therefore to propose that a letter of condo-
lence be written to the widow and family of the
late Alderman Hancock, and that an expression of
the opinion of the Council of their estimstioa of the
character of the deceased—mono wha lied lately filled
the office of chief magistrate. as an alderman of the
borough, and the oldest member of the Council. Mr.
HIBBS seconded the proposition, and it was carried
arm. coe.—The Clerk then handed voting pipers to
each of the several members of the Council, and al-
though no one was openly proposed to fill the office of
Alderman, in the room of the deceased Mr. Han-
cock, singular to remark the whole of the members
hit ripen the name of Mr. Richard Bower as being
the moat fit and proper person to fill the vacant
office.—The MAYOR said the election of Mr. Bower
had been unanimous, and he believed a more worthy
person could not have bees elected.—Mr. Davi/rum
said Mr. Bower was a eery fit and proper person to
fill the office. He was v. member of the Old Corpo-
ration several years, and had amoral times filled
the office of Mayor.
The MAYOR said their iii•xt business was to consider
the application of Superintendent Lidbury for sin In-
crease of salary. They a, re all aware of the duties
their chief officer of police had to perform, and deny
gentlemen had any reanrk to make he would be
glad to bear him—Mr. Dam asked what was the
salary given to Mr. Iforri, Mr. Lidbury's predecessor.
—Mr. THOMAS said it vu 1.18 a year—a sum which
included everything—and Ii his (Mr. Thomas's) opinion
he did his duties in a very creditable manner.— Mr.
Lidbury had a salary of 1.4.11 • year for his duties as
Inspector of Police, and other MUM far other dirties,
making in all £11.4 a year, or 6s. 3d. per day. If
they *ere to compare this sum with the wages a 'Me-
chanic obtained, they would find it in favour of the
police, while here, they should remember, there were
no rainy days, nor any loss of time. If Mr. Lidbury
deserved more salary, he ought to have it, dill the
Council should learn to be just before they were
generoos.—Mr MILLEDOR said when they last gave
Superintendent Lidbury an ingress/of salary they sup-
posed that would be sufficient.—Mr. AILING said they
should not be governed by what Mr. Morris received.
By many he knew it was thought that Mr. Morris
was the best constable out of doors, but he amid
speak from experience that in doors Mr. Lidbury
was far the superior. There was no comparison be-
tween the bookkeeping of Mr. Morris and Mr. Lidbury.
Besides, If they looked at other towns, they would
see that in towns of far lea importance than this,
the chief officer of police was paid • higher salary than
at Weymouth. His opinion was that they should
raise his salary from £9l to £lOO • year as superin-
tendent, which, with his other offices, would make it
up to about L'l2s • year.—The sires said that Mr.
Morrill lived at tit. polies station, whereas M. Lid-
bury bad now to rent • house.—Mr. Roams : And
in that case be will have to pay taxes, so that we
• shall receive a portion of his salary beet under that
item.—Mr. HOWARD then proposed, and Mr. Hiasa
seconded, that Mr. Lidtury's salary be increased to
the amount named by Mr. Ayling.—Mr. THOMAS pro-
posed as an amendment that no increase be made, but
there being no seconder, the amendment fell to the
ground, and the original proposition was carried.
The Mayor then left, and Alderman Devenish took
the chair. .

The next busmen was to consider in what manner
£407 10.. should be raised for paying for the two barges
purchased of Mr. Croft.—The CHAIRMAN said that at
the last meeting the subject was referred to • com-
mittee, who were to confer witt the treasurer as to the
best way of raising this sum. The committee, however,
were never called together, and they had no report to
make, but the treasurer was present, who, perhaps,
would do as well. He then asked the treasurer If be
could tell them how they were to raise the sum on the
harbour dues.—The TRILANURRI said the sum now re-
quired to raise the amount borrowed, together with the
interest, was upwards of £1,300, and proceeded to lay
down certain plans whereby the harbour data might
be improved some 1:300 or 1:400 a year—The CHAIR-
MAN said if the treasurer aspired to Municipal honours,
and obtained • seat at that table, they would be happy
to listen to his views, but he weather, that day as their
treasurer, and they wanted to know if he could ad-
vance them £407 10e. to pay off this debt.—The
Tataituacs said he could not, as the harbour dues are
not now sufficient to meet the expenses, and pay tin
interest on the amount borrowed. If they were dis-
posed to adopt his project towards raising the dues, he
might feel inclined to do so—The CHAIRMAN said
it was no use talking about that that day.—Mr. Art-
uro thought that the money might be borrowed from
the bridge fund.—The TagAsuata, on the question
being asked, said he could not advance the amount
from the bridge fund without an order.—Tbe CHAIR-
M•N asked if anyone would make a proposition to that
effect.—No one, however, was willing to make such •
proposition till after a lung disenerion, when Mr.
AILING proposed "That the treasurer be requested to
advance from the bridge fund • temporary loan of
£407 10s. for the payment of Mr. Croft's contract, in
the purchase of two barges, which have been due now
upwards of 6 months, and that steps be immediately
taken to raise the rum on the harbour dues to repay
the same.—The CHAIRMAN several times asked if any
gentleman would second the resolution, adding, thatto
to poor and to seem poor was an awful state of things.
No one, however, would second the resolution, and
the motion fell to the ground.
The HARBOUR MART= attended with his books, sod
complained that Mr Hare had said his accounts could
not be understood.—Mr. HARI said he could not under-
stand them, and the treasurer had puzzled himself all
day over them. He added notes to several
items, "ISeit page 39 and page 42) " kc., and
DO on—The H•RBOUTI M said that it was in
the Treasurer's book, not in his.--flome of the
members then complained of bricks and various
materials laying on the quay, and asked why the
Harbour Master had not, in the discharge of his duty
removed them at the expense of the parties to whom
they belonged.—Mr. Ro . HIMMII•O he has not been
supported by the Corporation. Be did summon one
party, and bad to pay for the summons himself.—The
Harbour Master was informed that in future he would
be supported in the discharge of his duties by the
Council.
Some other matters were discussed and the meeting
separated.