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	The Windsor and Eton Express. Bucks Chronicle and Reading Journal
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Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express

20th February 1836

The remains of Mrs.Elizabeth Powney, widow of the late Penyston Portlock Powney, M.P. for Windsor, were removed from her residence in Bath, and interred on Wednesday in the family vault at Old Windsor.

On Wednesday morning an old man named John Rollins aged 70, who had been a long time a carrier between Windsor and Datchet, was found dead in a ditch between the latter place and Wyrardisbury. An inquest has since been held on the body before John Charsley,Esq., Coroner for Bucks, and a verdict returned, "Died by the visitation of God."

The Rev.Mr.Smith (long known as Boatswain Smith of Penzance,) according to his previous announcement , delivered a discourse in the Market-place of Windsor, and also in the evening, at the Star and Garter Inn, for the benefit of the Mariner's Society, several of the children of which accompanied him.

The Home Park :- His Majesty with his characteristic benevolence and attention to the wants of the poor, particularly at this inclement season of the year, has for some time given employment to a considerable number of labourers levelling some portions of the Home Park. Some time back his Majesty when in conversation with Mr.Ingall , the Deputy Ranger of the Park, inquired particularly into the condition of the labouring population of Windsor, and upon Mr.Ingall stating that he was sorry to inform his Majesty there were many out of employ his Majesty immediately gave orders to give work to a great number in levelling certain parts of the park. Thus was employ immediately furnished for 60 or 70 men nearly all of whom with their families would probably but for his Majesty's liberality have been obliged to apply for parish relief.

Royal Emporium, Public Rooms, Windsor - The public will see by an advertisement in another part of our paper that Mr.Bloom has opened his "Royal Emporium" for the sale of numerous handsome and attractive works of art, and we do not doubt from the extensive and choice character of his stock that it will be highly patronised.

Corporation of Windsor
Meeting of the Common Council
On Monday the Council met in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. The Mayor in the Chair.

The New Magistrates.

Mr. Secker, the Town-Clerk, intimated to the Court that the five gentlemen who had been nominated by the Court on the 21st ult to fill the office of magistrates, had been that morning sworn in before him, they having received their commission under the great seal. They were the Mayor, Mr.Alderman Bovingdon, Mr.Blunt, Mr.Tebbot, and Sir John Chapman.

Admission of Reporters

The first business on the paper was the proposition to admit the Reporters for the Press to the Council Meetings. Mr.Alderman Bovingdon moved that at the present and all future meetings the Reporters be admitted. Mr.Blunt seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and the result was immediately communicated to the Reporters. We then entered the Court, and found every necessary accommodation provided to enable the Reporters to give the public a faithful account of the proceedings.
By the way, we may here throw out a hint which we submit to the members of the Council for their guidance. The task of reporting accurately is rendered exceedingly difficult and sometimes even impossible when several gentlemen are talking upon topics - many of them of an important nature, all at one time. We have of course every desire to give an accurate report of the proceedings, but if we should fall into error, it will not be our fault.

Admission of Burgesses

Mr.Alderman Bedborough then brought forward his motion for the admission of the Burgesses to the Council meetings. He conceived that any objection that might have been entertained to his motion was done away with by the vote which had been come to, respecting the admission of Reporters. It appeared to him that the Burgesses had clearly a right to attend the meetings. With regard to the Reporters it was merely a matter of business with them, but with respect to the Burgesses it was very different, for they had a right to see that their representatives did their duty. Surely those who sent them there had a right to be present at the meetings, and he grounded their right on the fact that the Act of Parliament required a public notice to be posted on the Town-hall of the day of their meeting, which would not have been requisite if it was not intended that the Burgesses might be present. The worthy Alderman concluded by proposing his motion.

The Mayor put the question, when

Mr.Blunt said he would not suffer a motion of this importance to be put, and that he should give a silent vote on it. He had listened attentively to Mr.Alderman Bedborough's proposition , but he had not heard a sufficient case made out that would in his opinion counter-balance the inconveniences attending an open Court. As to the notices on the hall door of the days of meeting, those might be required for the information of those members who by some mistake might not have seen the notices left at their houses, and at the last Court it did appear that one gentleman did not see the notice which had been left at his house. By the 69th clause of the Act all Burgusses could see the minutes of the proceedings on payment of one shilling, and therefore as the opportunity of seeing those minutes was provided, he thought it clear that the Legislature never intended that the Court should be an open one. The proceedings under the Poor Law Act were such as that every rate-payer was interested in them, but yet they were conducted with closed doors. In early life he had been in the habit of attending parish vestry meetings, and he had always found great difficulty in carrying on the business, and at a very recent vestry meeting the business could not be conducted as it should have been in consequence of the number of persons who attended it. Besides, circumstances might arise in Council which might render it necessary for them to consult within themselves, and if once the Court was thrown open, upon such occasions the burgesses could not be refused admittance. He could not give a silent vote upon this question without explaining his reasons for voting against it.

Mr.Alderman Cook said with regard to the parish meeting adverted to by Mr.Blunt he found none of the difficulties which that gentleman had stated in taking the votes. Mr.Blunt had, however , wholly overlooked one point, which was, that at all vestry meetings every rate payer had one voice. With regard to the admission of Burgesses, that had been done at Coventry, Reading, and a great many other places, and no difficulty whatsoever had been experienced from it. As to the proceedings of the Board of Guardians, the question had never been mooted, and therefore it was not fair to bring that as an argument into this case.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said the Board of Guardians were placed in a totally different situation from the Town Council. The Guardians had to decide on cases which even Mr.Blunt must admit would be quite improper to come before the public - such as pauper cases, which no individual would like to have represented out of doors. As to the clause in the Act relating to an Inspection of the minutes of the Council, that was only for persons who did not choose the meetings. It was true that by admitting the Reporters the public would know what business was done, but the Burgesses should have the liberty of coming there if they chose. The Council was an elective body, and would have to return to their constituents - the constituents in turn might be elected, and it was right they should previously have the opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of the mode of transacting the business of the office which they might be called on to fill. He had heard no argument from Mr.Blunt to induce him to withdraw his motion.

Mr.Clarke said he had listened with great attention to the arguments of Mr.Alderman Bedborough. He looked at the question in the best way in which elective bodies could look at it, viz., as a question of expediency . It was a question of expediency whether the Burgesses should or should not be admitted; now he thought that all that the Legislature required or intended, had been effected by carrying the motion of Mr.Alderman Bovingdon. Every information would be thereby communicated to the Burgesses, and that without the possibility of interruption of their proceedings. He conceived the Act of Parliament did not intend to make the Court an open one, for if it did a clause would have been introduced into the Act providing for it. The object had been sufficiently obtained by the introduction of Reporters, and he had heard no argument to induce the Council to admit the Burgesses to their meetings, with the possibility of an Interruption of their proceedings. They already had sufficient proof that there might be persons in the town who would not, if admitted, conduct themselves with that decorum that was necessary.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said, as to persons being disorderly , he never contemplated the Burgesses being admitted without certain regulations - that the Chairman should have the power to preserve good order, and to expel persons who did not conduct themselves properly. He begged to say he was not bringing forward nay new question; the Court of Common Council of London had for ages been open to the public; and in furtherance of his argument it appeared that in many Councils they had adopted the same plan, under the new Municipal Act. Therefore he was broaching no new question.

Mr.Clarke said he was of opinion , as Mr.Alderman Bovingdon's motion had been carried no good could result from adopting the present one.

Mr. Alderman Bedborough: I think there will.

The Chairman was about to put the motion, when

Mr.John Clode (3,High Street), said he did not see there was any cause for the apprehensions that seemed to be entertained by some gentlemen that any interruption would be experienced. Standing as they did - the Representatives of the Burgesses - he thought it would be an act of injustice not to allow them to attend the meetings, and that it ought to be an open Court. He was sure they might trust to the good sense and proper feelings of the Burgesses to conduct themselves in the Council with that propriety which Englishmen always did on such occasions ; but if anyone should interrupt the business the Chairman would have sufficient power to remove him. He fully concurred with Mr.Alderman Bedborough in the Resolution that the Burgesses be admitted, for he saw no cause of apprehending any interruption.

The motion was then put, when there were for it 7, and against it 11 - majority against the motion 4.

There were for it Aldermen Bedborough,, Bovingdon, Cook and Noke, and Messrs. Clode (3, High-street), Barton and Astle; against it, Alderman Snowden, and Messrs. Clarke, Tebbott, J.Jennings, W.Jennings, Twinch, Adams, George, Blunt, Berridge, and Clode (Castle Inn).

Watch Committee's Report

Mr.Secker said the next business on the paper was to receive the Report of the Watch Committee.

Mr.Clarke, the Chairman of the Committee, in presenting the Report assured the Council that the Committee had approached the discharge of their trust with the greatest anxiety and desire to promote the comfort, the happiness and the well being of their fellow townsmen, and he assured the Council that they would be exceedingly happy to receive any suggestions that would tend to promote those objects.

Mr.Secker then read the Report. The Committee stated that only investigation into the system of the Watch hitherto adopted has confirmed the very universal opinion of its total inefficiency, and they have therefore thought it right to consider the expediency of an entire new model upon which the police of the Borough should in future be regulated.

The Committee have considered it their first duty to inquire into the present state of the day and night police, so long the subjects of the reiterated complaints of the inhabitants. To commence with the night police. Up to the year 1831 that force consisted of six watchmen, occasionally assisted by a supernumerary, and to it was subsequently added a superintendent. The pay and emoluments were, of the superintendent 17s a week, and five watchmen 12s a week each, with Christmas boxes about �25 annually, and �3 for attendance at Quarter Sessions; and two supernumeraries at 2s per night when employed. The day force has for some time limited to one beadle, whose pay of 15s per week, with a suit of clothes, and �4 at Christmas in lieu of Christmas boxes, have been derived from the parochial funds until the new poor law was brought into operation, when they became chargeable on the funds of the Corporation. The second beadle (for some time discontinued) received 13s weekly and a suit of clothes per year.

As it must be in the recollection of the Court that even before the present extension of the town by the increase of buildings on the southern boundary, and the introduction of that populous and extensive portion of the parish of Clewer formerly without the municipal limits of the Borough, it had repeatedly been subject of regret as well to the Commissioners of Pavement as to the inhabitants at large, that the provisions contained in the Paving Acts prevented the employment of more than six night watchmen, and that an application to Parliament to increase the powers of the Commissioners in this particular were actually contemplated, the Committee were under no apprehension of encountering a dissent in the Council to the conclusion which they have formed that the present force will be found wholly inadequate to the extended duties which under the Act of the last Session the police force of the Borough will be called upon to perform.

The Committee then state that although they find themselves compelled to suggest material alterations and extensions with a view to improve the force and render it commensurate with the expectations of the inhabitants, they trust that upon a careful and dispassionate review of their suggestions that they will be found to have been based on as economical a principle as the circumstances of the case will warrant. They recommend the appointment of a superintendent, who shall appoint the constables to their beats night and day, visit the stations occasionally during the night, take account of the proceedings, and report the same to the Watch Committee, and generally to do all the duties prescribed by the Act to be done by the constable at the watch house; also to take care of the keys of the engine house, fire ladders or escapes, and to have them in a fit state for use. The Committee also recommend ten men to be appointed under the superintendant , eight of whom to be on duty during the night and two during the day. The night constables also to be instructed in the working of the fire engine, and to see to it being kept fit for use. The Committee then prescribed the limits for each night constable's beat, and distributed them in such a manner as that the consumption of time in five of the beats would require thirty minutes each; in two of the beats (in which from their being in low neighbourhoods there might be reason to apprehend frequent calls for the particular attention of constables) their walk would be completed in twenty minutes each, and in one beat (in which the watch house is situated) only fifteen minutes, so that in the latter place the watchman would be always within a few minutes call from the watch-house.

The Superintendent to receive 30s per week; the ten constables 18s per week each; making per annum �546 0s 0d. Eleven suits of clothes with hats �5 10s each , �60 10s 0d. Candles and coals �12 0s 0d. Estimated total annual expenditure �629 0s 0d.

Although this amount will far exceed the payments heretofore made, the Committee trust that the benefits arising from the improved system to the extended space over which the surveillance of the police will be spread will fully justify them in recommending its adoption, and will be more than sufficient to warrant the excess of expenditure over the payments (heretofore made from a variety of sources) for the protection of the property and peace of the town, which they find to amount as under viz:

By the Commissioners under the Pavement Act, being an average expense for watching for the seven years to Michaelmas last �246 2s 0d. By the Parish for two beadles found not sufficient to do the duty �83 16s 0d. By subscriptions from the inhabitants in the shape of Christmas boxes to be wholly abolished, about �25. By the Overseers to beadles �4. By the Corporation for the attendance of the watchmen at the Quarter Sessions �3. Total �361 18s 0d [per annum].

Estimated rate chargeable on the new part of the Borough, upon the same proportion which the watching of the Borough has borne on a seven years average to the expense of the lighting and paving �37 10s 0d.

Excess of proposed expenditure �230 12 0d

The Committee had not proceeded to appoint constables, being desirous to have the sanction of the Court to the plan now submitted. They have, however come to the resolution that it will be most desirable to select persons who will not only do the duty effectively, but such as shall be wholly disengaged from any other employment, and shall consider themselves liable to be called upon by day as well as by night as circumstances may require.

It is with this view alone that the Committee have ventured to recommend the important increase in the payments to be made on the constables.

The Committee has inspected the present watchmen and find that they cannot consent to the appointment of three of the parties to the new force. It will therefore be a matter of consideration whether the provision made by the Act for decayed officers may not be extended to them as a recompense for their past services.

Mr Alderman Cook said he did not see that any provision had been made by the Committee for watching the Lower Ward of the Castle, which was within the borough, and should be watched. It was their duty to pay as much attention to that as any other part of the borough.

Mr.Blunt said it could be done by putting another man on, but they should ask the inhabitants of the Lower Ward if they wished to have a watchman.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough observed it was part of the business of the Finance Committee to see if they could not rate the Lower Ward, and if they could, to enforce it.

It was here intimated that Spital and Sheet-street road were also omitted from the watchmen's beats, as laid out by the Committee.

The Town Clerk in reference to the lower Ward of the Castle, adverted to the Act, which stated that it should not interfere with the watching, paving, lighting, &c, of any of his Majesty's garrisons, dock yards, victualling establishments, arsenals, or barracks, so that he said the Castle was not within their jurisdiction , excepting for the purposes of this Act.

Mr. Alderman Cook said the lower Ward was not a garrison or barracks, although a detachment was kept there. The Dean and Canons and those living in the Cloisters were not subject to military regulations.

Mr Clarke suggested that the Watch Committee should inform themselves upon the subject, and then they would be able to come to a better decision. The Court could make it an instruction to the Committee to do so.

Mr. Alderman Cook said it should be an instruction to the Committee to inquire respecting watching the Lower Ward, Spital, and Sheet-street, and such other places as might not be named in the report.

Mr.Blunt said the Lower Ward ought to be separate from Spital and Sheet-street road. He could not see the necessity of a watchman going up to Hog-common, but if they wished to take in the out-skirts of the town, they had better establish a horse patrol.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough. You intend to rate them ?

Mr.Blunt. Yes

Mr.Alderman Bedborough then said they had a right to a watchman .

Mr.Jas.Jennings said he had no idea of rating any one who did not receive the benefits of watching.

s Mr.Blunt said the latter part of Mr.Cook's motion could be accomplished by extending the beats. The expense of the proposed alterations certainly astounded him, and he did not think it desirable to give �50 a year for watching from Magpie Style to Hudson's Gate.

Mr.James Jennings said he did not think they should look so much at the expense as to whether the inhabitants partook of the benefits.

It was then agreed to postpone the farther consideration of the subject until the report of the Finance Committee had been produced.

Finance Committee

Mr Alderman Bovingdon as Chairman of the Finance Committee presented the Report.
The Town Clerk read it. The following is an abstract of it :-

The Committee have taken the annual income of the Corporation from the evidence of the late officers, which they have every reason to believe correct. The following are the results:-

By redeemed land-tax and reserved rents not liable to fluctuate �16 4s 7 1/2d
Reserved rents on leases �72 19s 1 1/2d
Rack Rents �211 5s 0d
�300 8s 9d
Fines on renewal of leases, calculated at the average of the last 14 years �112 5s 11d
Tolls of markets and fairs (average 5 3/4 years) �270 6s 4d
Dividend on �6,675 19s Three per cent Consols, invested on the sale of the estate in Castle-street, &c �200 5s 6d
Ditto on Webb's charity �50 3 1/2 per cent � 1 15s 0d
Ditto on Panton's charity �52 10s ditto � 1 15s 8d
�887 8s 2d

Upon those amounts there are a variety of charges which the Committee classed under five heads, viz., 1st., Interest on securities; 2d, rent charges payable out of the Corporation estate; 3rd, charitable payments partly secured by the Act of the last Session; 4th, salaries to officers and servants; 5th, inevitable incidental expenses. The first item, the most serious in amount, although the most modern in point of date, has imperatively demanded the earliest attention of the Committee. It arises from a loan of �5,000 raised for the purpose of paying the expenses attendant on the rebuilding and fittings of the Market-house and Council Chamber, and from a security held by the late Chamberlain for the sum of �614 4s 6d - the balance advanced by him on finally settling the accounts. Upon these items the Committee desire to point out to the Court the good policy of immediately affecting the sale of such part of the stock money invested for the purchase of the Castle-street estate, as may be sufficient to cover the securities and of making payment to the several bondholders as soon as the cash shall have been realised. As the Committee are led to believe that the tenders always regarded the loan as made for a temporary purpose, they do not anticipate that any objection will be started to the receipt of the money whenever the Council may find itself in a situation to discharge the bonds. With this view the Committee urgently recommended the Court to take the steps necessary to obtain the money, and to execute such conveyance of the property sold as may be necessary to vest the same in the Crown. If it should be found practicable to carry this arrangement into effect at the present high price of the funds it will work a great advantage to the income of the Corporation.

The Interest on the �5,000 borrowed for the Market-house &c. �250 0s 0d
Ditto on �614 4s 6d due to the late Chamberlain � 30 14s 3d
�280 14s 3d

Annual payment for bread under the wills of Mr.Reeves, Mr.Panton, and Mrs. Webb � 9 2s 0d
Ditto for Apprentice Fees, under Mr.Windsor, Mr.Heaver, and Dr.Child's Charity. �10 0s 0d
Ditto to inmates of Mr.Reeve's alms-houses �10 0s 0d
Ditto to the Spinning Charity, under the will of Mr.A.Windsor �14 0s 0d
Ditto to F.Keppel, Esq., being the sum reserved to the Crown by the Charter �10 0s 0d
Ditto to Ditto, reserved rent for the Manor of Under-are �4 5s 4d
Ditto to Ditto, the like for site of Gaol �0 3s 4d �57 10s 8d
Annual payment to Charity School �10 0s 0d
Ditto to National School � 5 5s 0d
Ditto to Dispensary � 5 5s 0d
Ditto to Evening Service � 5 0s 0d
Ditto to Vicar of New Windsor � 5 5s 0d
Ditto to Clerk and Sexton � 1 1s 0d
Pension to Widow Pond �10 0s 0d

�41 16s 0d

The Committee, in reference to the two latter accounts, regret that a veto has been placed upon any further application of the funds towards the support of any charitable or benevolent design which may permanently or occasionally present itself to the attention of the Court.

The next point to which the Committee directed its attention, was the salaries of the officers and servants. As the Committee did not contemplate that the Mayor would incur any extraordinary payments in the execution of the functions of his office, they recommended that the allowance of �60 formerly made to him, be wholly and at once abolished. Mr.Thos. A. Moore, the Treasurer, having liberally undertaken to do the duties of his office without salary, the Committee were relieved from recommending that gentleman any remuneration . The Recorder's salary, heretofore, has been scarcely exceeding a nominal one, and though the Committee would have been willing, with more ample funds, to have recommended an increased allowance, with a view to ensure that at all times this prominent branch in the administration of Justice should fall into the hands of some eminent and talented Barrister, they resolved upon naming the annual sum of 60 guineas, as a remuneration for the important duties which will devolve on the Recorder, as the sole judge at the Courts of Quarter Sessions for the borough.

To the Bailiff and Collector, the Committee recommended a salary of �40 a year. The duties of the Town Serjeant, Hall Keeper, and Market Keeper will be increased, and therefore the Committee recommend a small increase of their salaries, viz, : Town Serjeant from �15 to �20; Hall Keeper from �15 to �20; and Market Keeper and his assistants from �40 to �45. To the Gaoler they recommend an additional �10 a year, not alone from a conviction of the inadequacy of his salary, on a comparison with the emoluments of other persons holding similar offices, but upon a full consideration of the daily increasing calls under the Act for his assistance at the gaol, coupled with the diminution of the profitable part of his employment originally derived from crying and posting bills through the town. As to the Town Clerk (to whom no salary has been heretofore paid, and the recompense for whose services has, in great measure, arisen from his fees as clerk to the Magistrates), the Committee state that , upon the best review they have been able to take of his duties, in the hope of arriving at a satisfactory determination on the payment or salary to be awarded him in consideration of the loss of his fees as Magistrates Clerk, as well as a proper and liberal remuneration for the constant and various duties which, since the passing of the new Act, he is called upon to perform in a greatly increased ratio, they acknowledge themselves wholly incompetent to the task presented to them. Should, however, the Council be unable to come to any determination , upon a reference to the proceedings in other Councils in places similarly circumstanced , the Committee suggested that the Town Clerk's salary would form a very fit subject for special reference and report.

The fifth head of inevitable incidental expenses was comprised of the following sums taken upon an average of the last five years:-
Maintenance and expenses of prisoners in County and Borough gaols
Orders of Courts of Assize and Quarter Sessions for expenses of prosecutions
Coroners fees and expenses of inquests
(The above items were formerly paid by the parish)

Repairs of Hall and estates
Fittings, furniture, &c.
Fire insurance on the Hall, &c.
Water for Hall and Gaol
Stationery, printing &c.
Coals, candles, gas, &c.
Illuminations
Servants liveries, hats, &c.
Expenses of the markets
Watch Committee for the police force in addition to the �246 2s to be raised under the Pavement Act
Town Clerk's salary
Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, stamps on admissions to offices, Commissions of the Peace, and fees

Amount of estimated receipts

Amount of Borough rate exclusive as above
To some items the Committee could not fix any sum from the uncertainty of their occurrence. They recommended the total discontinuance of allowances for dinners at Quarter Sessions for the officers of the Court, and for the expenses of the magistrates annual journey to Westminster to take the oaths. A small saving will also be effected by the future exemption of the market tolls from parochial rates. The Committee in closing their Report directed the especial attention to the Council of the 28th section of the Act which would virtually negative the employment of any tradesman connected with the Corporation in any contract or dealing to be performed and paid for under the direction and out of the funds of the Council, and said they were deeply impressed with the importance of an undeviating adherence to such provision in the spirit of its most extended application.

The Mayor said they had now heard the Report from which it appeared the expenses would exceed the income by about �500, besides other items not being yet filled up which would increase that amount. He asked if any gentleman had to make any observations upon it ?

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said it was impossible to come to any opinion upon the Report as it then was.

Mr.Blunt suggested that they should take the report paragraph by paragraph

Mr. Alderman Cook said they could do so and then adjourn it for a few days to allow them to consider of it. The report was quite strange to him. He wished to have it printed.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough thought the state of their finances did not allow of their increasing the Recorders salary from �20 to 60 guineas. In other places it was but �40 a year.

Mr.Alderman Cook said the Recorder of Winchester had only �40 a year.

Mr.Blunt: And it is �40 at Maidenhead.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough : And there they have six magistrates whereas we have only five.

Mr.Blunt wished that their funds would allow of their giving that officer �100 a year.

The Recorder's salary was, however, ultimately agreed to.

The Town Clerk then read the parts recommending the other officers salaries; when he came to the Gaoler a long discussion arose upon it, some gentlemen thinking such a salary for an officer in that situation too little.

It was then ordered that the Report be referred back to the Committee to fill up the blanks in it.

Mr. Alderman Bovingdon inquired when they would want a Borough rate ?

Mr.Blunt said the Treasurer was overdrawn when he settled with him - [a laugh]. On the 15th March the Treasurer would want �708, and he would only have to hand �320, so that he would have to apply to the Council for a rate.

Mr.Alderman Cook complained that that had not been reported to the Council in some shape or other. He wished to know whether the estates and funds of the Corporation were generally liable on account of the Bridge.

The Town Clerk (we believe) answered in the affirmative (this admission seemed to create much surprise in the Council)

Mr.Alderman Cook said the Report was exceedingly incorrect, for the Bridge account was one of the most important things, and it was wholly omitted.

The Town Clerk said an annual account was always sent to the Quarter Sessions, and he had a statement then in Court if any gentleman wished to see it.

Mr.Blunt said if they could borrow money so as to keep the bridge on for six years longer they would be in no difficulty.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough asked how they contemplated getting the money they would require by March next ?

Mr.Blunt said they would borrow it. For the last five years the Chamberlain had advanced the money, but they could not expect that Mr.Moore would do so.

Mr.Alderman Cook said he had always understood the Bridge affair to be a totally distinct matter, but now he found it formed an important integral part of their concerns, and therefore it should have been reported upon.

After some further discussion the subject dropped, and the Council again went into the Report of the Watch Committee.

Mr.Alderman Cook then moved that it be an instruction to the Watch Committee to reconsider the night patrolling Constables with a view to improve the watching of the entire Borough, as settled by the boundary Act, and to report thereon.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough seconded it.

Mr.Blunt said the principle point was regarding the expense, and the thought the Council could then determine upon it.

Mr.Alderman Cook said the expense did not alarm him, and there was plenty of reason for extending the Watching.

Mr.Blunt said they could agree on the Report, and let the Watch Committee settle the boundaries.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said the Council was not sufficiently acquainted with the ground to say whether one or two Constables more would be necessary.

Mr.Blunt said it was not necessary that the Watch Committee should begin their operations again; they had already exceeded the time allowed by the Act of Parliament.

Mr.Alderman Cook. The best answer to that is, that it should be done well at last.

Mr.Blunt observed, that the proposed system was a great expense, and he was sure it would not last three years.

The Chairman asked if it would be wise to adopt a plan which was stated would not last three years ?

Mr.Blunt moved, as an Amendment, that the Report be received.

Mr.F.Twinch seconded it.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough moved an Amendment upon that, that the members of the Watch Committee do not vote on the question.

Mr.Blunt: Oh! That is impossible.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough asked what was the use of moving in a case in which the Watch Committee were already pledged ?

Mr James Jennings said that Mr.Clarke, as Chairman of the Watch Committee, had stated that that Committee would attend to any suggestions.

Mr.Tebbott, as one of the Committee, expressed his perfect willingness to the Report being referred back.

After some further discussion the Town Clerk informed the Council that by the Act the Watch Committee need not have reported to the Court at all, but they might have proceeded in appointing the Constables without the assistance of the Court.

Mr.Alderman Cook said if the Committee had determined to shut their ears to what might be suggested in that Court they might as well not have come there. They had excluded certain parts of the Borough from being watched. What he wished was to give them an opportunity of amending their Report by including those places. The oversight was admitted by one or two gentlemen on the Committee, and he (Mr.Cook) could not for the life of him see what all the opposition was about.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said he wanted the report referred back to the Committee to see what number of watchmen would be necessary.

Mr.Blunt. I can tell you, they will want three extra ones.

Mr Clode (of the Castle Inn) said Mr.Alderman Bedborough would stop the operations of the Committee.

The Town Clerk said the Committee had no business to come to the Council at all with a Report.

Alderman Bedborough said "But they have come here."

Mr.Tebbott assured the Council as one of the Committee that he should feel it a pleasure to attend to their wishes, by reconsidering the Report and bringing it again before the Council. The Committee had entered on the duty, and he conceived they ought to set everything to rights before they left it.

The Town Clerk adverted to the Report, and said it was therein stated that it was imperfect.

Mr.Alderman Cook said as it appeared the Watch Committee were not responsible to that Court he should withdraw his motion, for any discussion respecting them would be a mere waste of time.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough said it was an insult to the Council to call them together to consider the Report, and if they dissented from it to be told they were not to express their opinion.

Windsor And Eton Library

The Court then proceeded to the last notice on the paper, viz.,to consider the application of the Committee of the Windsor and Eton Library for a lease for a piece of vacant ground adjoining the Bridge on the Eton side on which to erect a public Library. The petition for the ground for which a rent of �4 a year was offered was read, and several members expressed the strongest desire if it were in the power of the Court to grant the prayer of the petition.

The Town Clerk, who expressed himself extremely favourable to the proposition , however , said he had doubts whether the Corporation had the power of granting a lease for twenty-one years of the ground, and he pointed out wherein that doubt arose. He suggested that the Council should grant the lease if, after the petitioners should obtain a competent legal opinion it should appear he was in the wrong (which he should be glad to learn), and that the Corporation had the power. He recommended this being done for the sake of the Institution itself, in order that they should not lay out money in a bad speculation. Mr.Williams attended on behalf of the Windsor and Eton Library, and expressed his thanks to the Council for the expression of their opinion. He pointed out the advantages that he expected would accrue from the erection of a new public Institution, and adverted to what had been done in a similar way in Staines and other places. He, however, said he was aware of the difficulty that the Town Clerk had pointed out. It was generally understood that the lease would be granted if it were found that the Corporation could legally do so.

The Council then broke up.