BOROUGH COUNCILS.

ST ALBANS. .. A meeting of the St Albans Borough Council was held last evening ; present — Councillors Money, Glass, Jackman, Barlow, Neate, Morgan, and Keig. An apology for absence was eceived from Councillor Millton. In the absence of the Mayor, who sent an apology, Councillor Neate was voted to the chair. A deputation attended in support of a petition objecting to the removal of a lamp on Carlton Mill Road. The matter was referred to the Lighting Committee to report upon. Messrs Moore and Lambert, the original tenderers for the Carltqn Mill Road protective works, whose deposit had been forfeited in consequence of their not taking up the contract, waited on the Council to ask for a refund of their deposit.. They explained that they had made a miscalculation in regard to the amount of material that would be required. Councillor Glass gave notice fo move that the resolution passed at the previous meeting, declaring the deposit forfeited, should be rescinded. The Finance Committee reported receipts on general account 5685 3s 9d.The credit .balance at the bank was £429 3s. Accounts amounting to £412 0s 7d were recommended for payment, and £147 10s 2d had been paid intermediately. On the loan account the receipts had -been £10, and £431 13s 9d had been paid. The credit balances at the bank were : — On fixed deposit £13,000 and on current account £275 6s Bd. The foreman's report, which was adopted, dealt with the work done by the Council's men during the month. Since last meeting 200 yds of screenings and 120 yds of mqtal had been received. On the recommendation of the Loan Executive Committee, the following tenders were accepted :— Road metal, E. J. Queree 1000 yds, Smart ajjd Sons 1000 yds, Pitcaithly, Wallace and Co. 2000 yds; sand and shingle, W. Chapman; cement, Milburn Company and Auckland Company in equal quantities ; timber, J. Goss ; hardware, Mason, Struthers and Co. The Sydenham Borough Council wrote, asking the Council to appoint two delegates to attend a conference of local bodies on August 29, to consider the question, of establishing public abattoirs. Councillors Morgan and Jackman were appointed to represent the Council. The Drainage Board wrote, stating that the Edgeware Road drain was now completed, and enclosing a statement of accounts, showing £131 Is 7d, due by the Council to the Board. The letter was received. The Edu-ca-tion Board wrote, agreeing to make over to the Council the roadway leading to the Sb Aioans main school on certain conditions The Clerk was instructed to ascertain the cost of the transfer. A letter from several ratepayers, agreeing to give a strip of land for the widening of High Street, was referred to the Works Committee. The Chxistchurch Tramway Company wrote; statins that the City and Sydenham Councils had agreed to Sir- James' Prendergast .acting as arbitrator in connection with the tramway concessions. It was decided to replr. agreeing to the appointment of -T,he iate Chief Justice. Councillor Keig drew attention to-the nuisance caused by the discharging of firearms in the borough, and it was decided to write to the police on toe subiecfc A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Councillors Mosey and Million, two of the retiring members, for their services while on theConncil. The meeting then closed.

SYDENHAM, ..:,.. . A meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was held last evening ; present— Mr J Hadfield (Mayor),, and Councillors Cutler, Bell, Manhire, Jacques young, Dav, Sim, MeUdeham, Taylor, Halley, Murray and Lafferty. The Salvation Amy wrote in reference to the action of the Council in placing its-barracks on the valuation roll, and asking for a remission ot the rates. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee for favourable consideration. The Railway Engineer, in reference to the asphalt footpath in front of the railway station, wrote, stating that he had definite instructions that the Minister's promise in the matter was not to be exceeded. The letter was received, and the Clerk was instructed to communicate with Mr T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., on the matter. The Rev T. A. Williams forwarded a petition urging the necessity of providing a public library and readingroom for the borough, and' suggesting that a poll should be taken on the subject at an early date. The matter was held over till the Finance and Works Committee's report had been considered. Tenders in connection with the proposed public library were laid on the table. Councillor Cutler moved that as it was no use considering them until the poll of the ratepayers' had been taken on the question, the tenders should remain in the Mayor's charge until after the poll was held. He said a large number of ratepayers in the borough wished that if a public library was built it should be next to the municipal buildings. Councillor Lafferty opposed the matter being held over, as there were matters outside the library buildings which were included in the tenders. The Mayor said that a large number .of ratepayers in the .borough thought that if the poll respecting a public library were favourable the Council should proceed with the erection of new municipal chambers. It was finally decided thab the tenders should: be considered in committee. On resuming' it was .reported that consideration of the tenders for alterations to the Council's buildings had been held over for a month, as the amounts tendered exceeded the Council's' estimate of £100. The Works Committee reported having purchased a horse for the Council. The name of Mansfield Street had been altered to Hawkesbury Street. The Works Committee of the Board of Education had been interviewed respecting the artesian well required at the swimming bath, and the matter would be- again brought before the Council. The report was adopted. The joint report of the Works and Finance Committees on the requisition for a poll to be taken on the question of bringing into operation the Public Libraries Act, 1869, recommended that the poll should be taken on Sept. 14, at the same time as the -municipal elections. The committee was of opinion that if the proposal were carried it would be necessary to raise a loan, which would be guaranteed by a library rate. The report was adopted. Tfrn Finance C»nu»ittee reported the receipts during the past fortnight to have been £435 lls 7d, and recommended payment of accounts amounting to £194 Is lid. Tie balances of accounts at the basik stood as follows: — Credit — Separate tensts account, £268 lls 6d; interest account, £885 7s lOd ; loan account, £4585 8s lid ; total, £5739 8s 3d. Debit— General account, £3667 17s sd. The committee having considered an application fitnrt-theuwpre-sentatives-of the- Gospel Mission-Tniafeees.for ■ remission of the rates on their hall, reconv mended'that'the request should be-granted,. and tihe property struck off tire rate roll. The Teport was adopted. The Council voted the sum of £10 for repairs to the W-aJtham Public Library, An application was made to^Sir James-Prendargast, a^krng-hanrtowaet > a3*arittfcDtliur hi the tramway concessions.

It seem^rths fate of modest men , ' '■•'■'• jl'o' bide their 'talents deep, Perhaps it is their will, but then ' Perchance they go to sleep ; ' Now , live men know ■what's in. the wind, . I Of *thafc you may be sare, . F<H > <xKtgJis^azui(X)tkl&jeli«f t lij!ey-find fl