Windsor & Richmond Gazette, Saturday, March 3, 1900 - page 12 Windsor Borough Council Present : The Mayor (Ald. J. J. Paine), Ald. Dean, J. T. Gosper, Taylor, Huggins, W. Gosper, Berckelman, and Primrose. Mayor's minute 1. To consider and determine as to making assessment and rate under provisions and for the purposes set forth in section 141 of the Municipalities' Act of 1897, and as to the amount of such rate. 2. To consider the expediency of establishing a special rate for lighting under the provisions of section 143 of the Municipalities' Act of 1897, and as to the amount of such rate. 3. To consider the expediency of establishing a special rate for the supply of water to the Borough under the provisions of section 144 of Municipalities' Act of 1897, and as to the amount of rate. The Minutes were adopted, and after the usual routine business the following rates were struck. General rate - 1/- in the £ ; Lighting rate - 3d in the £ ; Water rate - 9d in the £. The Valuers' report was adopted, and April 6 fixed for the hearing of appeals. Questions Ald. Dean asked if the Mayor would give instructions to have the names of all who paid no water rates to be laid on the table. The Mayor stated that he would, and in answer to a further question informed Ald. Dean that the lighting account was a trifle more satisfactory than last year. Motions Ald. W. Gosper moved "That tenders be called for by next ordinary meeting of the Council for the construction of a drain through Messrs. Fitzgerald's and Barker's properties, according to specifications." Seconded by Ald. J. T. Gosper. Ald. Primrose supported the resolution. He thought the specifications should first be laid on the table. The Mayor suggested that the matter be allowed to stand over till the next meeting, so that they could go into the specifications. Ald. Dean was opposed to that course. They should take advantage of the present dry weather. Ald. Berckelman moved "That the matter be allowed to stand over till next ordinary meeting." Seconded by Ald. Huggins. Ald. Dean was opposed to delays. He thought it advisable to get the motion carried, and they would be one step forward. If later on any of the aldermen did not approve of the specification they need go no further with the work. After discussion the amendment was carried. Ald. Gosper moved "That all drains through which other than surface water flows into the streets be stopped up. He pointed out that there were three very offensive drains in the town, and he moved the resolution to test the Council. Ald. Dean seconded the resolution. He said the Council had kept the drains clean at great expense, but the nuisance was becoming so great that they could cope no longer with it. The resolution might inflict hardships on some people, but as the warnings of the Council to offenders had not been heeded, it behoved the Aldermen to put a stop to the objectionable practice of so many of the ratepayers. There was no doubt that the prevalence of fever was due to the insanitary state of the town. The Council had disinfected some of the gutters, but they could not be expected to be always doing that. He hoped the resolution would be carried. Ald. Primrose was willing to support any measure that was for the cleansing of the Borough ; but it had occurred to him that by doing what was proposed they might render themselves liable. Ald. Taylor thought the trouble was only in two or three places, and it would not be fair to stop up all drains. Ald. Huggins said that if the Mayor or aldermen walked in certain streets they would at once be convinced of the necessity of doing something stringent. If something was not done they would soon have their hospital full. The Mayor thought it desirable that the resolution should be carried. The Council was not likely to do anything harsh. There was something in what Ald. Primrose said about the legality of preventing water from going off private property. The best course to take was to have persons who were known to offend reported to the Council, and then deal with them by a specific motion. Ald. Gosper explained that the Works-Committee only wanted power to stop up unoffensive drains. After further discussion the motion was carried. The Council then rose.