Municipal Council
19th Century News
Newspaper articles that offer insights into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.
Sources Used: TROVE. https://trove.nla.gov.au; FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. https://www.familysearch.org.
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To A. McDowall, Esq., S.M. Sir, We the undersigned Landholders and Householders in the police district of Bothwell request you to call a meeting of the ratepayers to consider the advisability, or otherwise of having this District proclaimed a Municipality.
We are Sir, Your obedient servants, William B. Wood; John Brown; Henric Nicholas; Alexander Reid; Robert Whiteway; John White; George William Ife; William Moyes; William Hughes; Henry George Quodling; William Maskell.
To W. B. Wood, Jno. Brown, H. Nicholas, Esquires, and other ratepayers signing the requisition. 6th October, 1862. Gentlemen, In compliance with your requisition I hereby convene a meeting on the ratepayers of the District for the purpose specified, such meeting to take place at the Bothwell Castle on Saturday next, the 11th inst., at one o'clock. I am, gentlemen, Faithfully yours, A. McDowall, R.S.M.
A public meeting was held here on Saturday last, the 11th October, 1862, to consider the propriety of taking the necessary steps to have the district proclaimed a municipality, which was numerously attended by many who felt an interest in the matter; among those present, we observed Frederick Synnot, Esq., M.H.A. for Cumberland, Messrs Reid, Wood, Ibbott, Bedford, Brown, Axford, Nicholas, Howells, and many others, both landholders and residents in the township.
Archibald McDowall, Esq., chairman, having read the requisition, called on Mr Synnot to address the meeting, who afforded much valuable information on the subject they had met to consider, explaining very clearly the advantages to be anticipated, by at once taking municipal action.
It was then proposed by Alexander Reid, Esq., and seconded by Thomas Axford, Esq., "That in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient to adopt a petition to His Excellency the Governor, praying that he will be pleased to proclaim the present Police District of Bothwell a Rural Municipality."
Carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to Mr Synnot, was then moved by Mr Wood as an acknowledgment for the trouble he had taken, which was carried by acclamation. The meeting then separated.
The requisite number of signatures have nearly been obtained and it is understood that the petition will be forwarded to the Hon the Colonial Secretary in a few days.
Election of Councillors and final state of the poll, January 30th, 1863:
McDowall - 138; Axford - 133; Reid - 127; Wood - 124; Nicholas, Edward - 105; Synnot - 86; Bedford - 61; Arnett - 58; North - 47; Horne - 36; Nicholas, George - 17; Tod - 13; Ibbott - 3.
The first six gentlemen were declared by the Returning Officer, John Forster, Esq., to have been duly elected. The three last gentlemen were not candidates by consent. The following morning the Council met at the Council Chamber, when the following officers of the Municipality were unanimously elected:
Archibald McDowall, Esq., as Warden, at a salary of £120 a-year. Mr Matthew Robinson as Council Clerk, at a salary of £170 a-year, and Mr Henry George Quodling as Superintendent of Police, at a salary of £200 a-year.
Alexander Reid, Esq., was appointed Treasurer, and after the election of a committee to frame bye-laws, and the transaction of other routine business, the Council adjourned. The township was very orderly, and the election did not seem to create much interest, except amongst the candidates and their friends.
Monday, January 7, 1878. The usual monthly meeting of the Municipal Council was held today. Present: The Warden and Councillors Alexander Reid and James Taylor.
The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed, it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Reid, that the following appointments be made, viz.:- The Warden, as Treasurer; the Council Clerk, Collector of Rates; and the Superintendent of Police, Valuator.
The following accounts were unanimously passed, and payment ordered, namely:- W Jones, fuel, £4 4s; John White, stores, etc, £3 18s 3½d; Isaac Blake, carriage and timber for fencing, £1 11s; Superintendent of Police, extraordinary expenses out of district, £1 17s; George W Ife, stores, etc, £1 7s 10d; Council Clerk, sundries, £2 9s 11d; in all, £15 8s 11d.
The Warden stated that he had received an application from the Superintendent of Police for an increase of salary; but as no notice had been given to the councillors of such an application being intended to be made, he suggested that the consideration of it should be deferred until next meeting, which it was subsequently decided should take place on Saturday, the 19th instant, when the timing of the salaries would be determined upon.
The Municipal Council met on Saturday, the 8th inst. Present: The Warden (Mr McDonald), and Councillors William Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, T. Steele, N. Allen, and Edward Bowden. The Warden said this
being their first meeting since the commencement of the new year, he desired to wish them all a happy new year, and he hoped also a prosperous one, and trusted that the same friendly feeling would continue to exist amongst them in the future, as it had in the past.
The minutes of the last meeting were then read and confirmed. The statement of revenue received during the month was also read, and considered satisfactory. Police returns of duties performed, showing also the number of persons apprehended, etc. The report was received as very satisfactory.
The Warden said their next duty would be to fix the salaries for the year 1887, but before they did so he wished to mention that at a public meeting held at Bothwell some time ago one of the principal ratepayers said he thought the Warden's salary should be reduced. Personally, it mattered very little to him, but at the same time he did not think the amount now paid too much, because there were many public calls on the Warden's purse, and if the stipend were reduced many of those calls would be passed unnoticed. Still the matter was in their hands, and they could do just as they pleased. Councillor William Nicholas thought there was no necessity for such a step. He would never sanction their Warden's salary being placed on equal terms with a shepherd's wages, and to reduce the amount would be to do so. He would therefore move "That the salaries of the Warden, superintendent of police, council clerk, and constables for the year 1887, be fixed at the same amounts as last year." Councillor Steele said he had very much pleasure in seconding the motion. He believed the Warden and his officers all performed their respective duties faithfully. A Councillor Edward Nicholas also supported the motion, and in doing so said the council was going on very well, and the late account for salaries paid was not exorbitant; he therefore had much pleasure in supporting the motion. Councillor Bowden did not believe in a policy of cheese paring; there was no good got by adopting such a course. As to their Warden, he should be a gentleman by birth and education, and should also be intelligent and possess a good knowledge of the law, and he believed their present Warden possessed the whole of these qualifications. Therefore, to talk of reducing the salary would be an insult. He had much pleasure in supporting the proposition now before the council. Councillor Allen would also support the motion, which on being put, was declared to be carried unanimously.
Councillor Steele proposed, "That Mr Perkins be appointed valuator at the same remuneration as paid to him last year." He was sure Mr Perkins had always taken great pains in preparing the assessment rolls and had hitherto discharged the duty satisfactorily. Councillor W. Nicholas seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Tenders for Fuel. The Warden said he had called for tenders and had received two which were read. Proposed by Councillor Bowden, "That Walter Moodie's tender, at 6s per ton, being the lowest, be accepted." Seconded by Councillor Steele and carried.
Several small accounts were then audited and passed for payment.
Councillor Allen desired to bring under the notice of the council the necessity for restricting the time on which bathing in the River Clyde should be sanctioned. He had no desire to prevent the proper use of the facilities afforded by nature in the way of ablution, but he knew of instances where grown-up youths indulged in baths after their morning swim in a way not quite in accordance with strict adherence to the rules of decency, and he hoped the police in future would endeavour to put a stop to such behaviour. The Warden was pleased to hear Mr Allen's intention, for although he subscribed to the truth of the adage that cleanliness was next to godliness, and thought in the absence of public baths the pool should be freely patronised, he would, as far as he had the power, endeavour to suppress any act of wilful indecency. Mr Bowden had also witnessed several acts of indecency on the banks of the River Clyde amongst the bathers, which he hoped he would not be again compelled to witness. He hoped the police would attend to the matter.
That being the whole of the business, the Warden thanked the councillors for their attention, and then adjourned the council.
The usual monthly meeting was held on Saturday, 3rd inst. Present: The Warden (Mr McDowall), also Councillors North, Ibbott, and Chamberlen. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
A statement of revenue received in July from all sources showed a total of £72 15s 9d, and the bank passbook produced showed that when all the cheques drawn had been presented, and all other claims to date settled, there would be a credit balance of £20, which was considered to be very satisfactory.
After a little discussion re the uncollected rates and dog licenses, Councillor Ibbott moved, and Councillor North seconded, "That an advertisement be inserted in The Mercury to the effect that proceedings will be taken after the 30th inst. against all defaulters in that direction." Carried.
The monthly police report was read, and, on the motion of Councillor Ibbott, was received as very satisfactory.
In reply to the Warden, the Council Clerk said that one slaughtering license had been issued since the last meeting.
The rabbit inspector's report for July was read, showing that the sheep farmers and others were doing all in their power to crush out the existence of the pest.
Charities. The Warden said that although the amount allowed by the Government for paupers in this district was small, still, with good management, the Council had yet a little in hand. He would, therefore, like to extend a little help to old Zac. Smith at Apsley. Smith was in delicate health, and very poor, and had several little children depending upon him for support. He thought they might give him a bag of flour. The Council concurred with the suggestion, and ordered that a bag of flour be sent to Smith.
Town Clock. The Warden reported that since their last meeting he had some correspondence with Mr Gaylor, of Hobart, re cleaning and repairing the dock, the result being that Mr Gaylor had come to Bothwell, and after a couple of days' work by himself and an assistant, had put the clock in good order, and it was now going well and satisfactorily. The whole cost, including Mr Gaylor's travelling expenses, only came to £4 19s 2d, which he (the Warden) thought was reasonable. The clock was said to be one of the best in the colony, and he had heard that it had cost the donor £100. The correspondence was read, and Councillor Chamberlen moved, and Councillor North seconded, "That the amount be paid." Carried. It was also agreed that the sum of £1 be paid to Mr John Hale for winding up said clock from January till the time it got out of order, which was about two months ago.
The Warden laid on the table drafts of proposed Amendment Bills which he had received from the Hon. N. J. Brown, and which were now before Parliament. Amongst them was one to amend the Rabbit Act,
which the Warden read. All the councillors concurred with him in favour of the clause giving to municipalities all fines and fees collected under the Act. The proposed Act to abolish the attachment of wages for debt did not meet with the approval of the Council, one reason being that the storekeeper would not give credit as they had hitherto done to the working-classes. Nor did the Council endorse the proposed amendments in the Constitution Act.
BOARD OF HEALTH. The Sanitary Inspector's report for July was read, and showed that he had visited the principal buildings on the township, and found them to be in a good sanitary condition. He had, however, specially to report that an unoccupied cottage situate in Elizabeth-street, and which was owned by a Mrs Newman, of Ross, was unfit and unsafe for human habitation or occupation, and, therefore, should, under the 107th section of the Public Health Act, 1885, be prohibited from being used as such. Each Councillor spoke on the condition of the building referred to, and Councillor Chamberlen proposed, and Councillor North seconded, "That the cottage and building material in the Inspector's report be condemned according to law." Carried.
In reply to the Chairman, the Inspector said that Mr Williams, the owner of the Coffee Palace, had willingly agreed to effect the repairs suggested to that building with a view to its better sanitary condition.
BOARD OF ADVICE. Mr McDowall (chairman) said that since their previous meeting Mr Lovell, the Inspector of Schools, had visited the Bothwell State school. The attendance of scholars on the day of such visit was 74. Mr Lovell's report of his examination of the children was very favourable, and he (the chairman) had now much pleasure in laying the report upon the table for the perusal of the members of the Board. The Chairman also informed the Board that Miss Savage, the paid monitor, had resigned her position in the school, but he sincerely hoped that the department would at once see its way to appoint a successor.
Apsley School. An application from Mr Moorehouse, the teacher, to be allowed to open a night school, was approved, subject to rule 34 of the regulations of the department.
An account from Mr Porter for £1 for supplying fuel and repairing fence was passed and ordered to be paid.
This being all the business the Chairman thanked the Board for their attendance and then adjourned.