i>.-)0 Timehri. 



north end of the town tour feet deeper and to be paaled oft in front ; and 

 certain trenches and drains to be dug. They expressed the opinion that 

 for many years sufficient labour had not been employed in keeping the 

 roads and drainage in good order. This was but true, for there had been 

 a dearth of labour, and at one time something like a strike, insomuch that 

 the Board had to ask the Government's permission to employ prison 

 labour. The cost of doing the work recommended by the Commissioners 

 was put down at $3,000. The Board at once proceeded to seek the aid of 

 the Government to assist it in the work, and asked that the yearly grant 

 of $2,500 (in lieu of licences) be paid in advance. At the same time 

 there was a reorganisation of the Board's staff', this including the appoint- 

 ment of an Assistant Town Superintendent. The Government declined 

 to advance the annual grain, but suggested that it could be paid over as a 

 loan, repayable by a special rate to be levied by the Board. The assese 

 ment rate at this time was H per cent. The Board, demurring at the 

 Government's proposal, asked that the 810,000, which had been paid 

 over for a water supply for all time should be charged against it as a 

 loan " on the usual terms.'' and that the Government should give an 

 annual grant of $2,500, for the water supplied to the public institutions, 

 or one-half what was being paid the Georgetown Municipality for a 

 similar service. This request was eventually granted, thanks to the good 

 offices of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Hemy Katz Davson. at that tim i President 

 of the Board. He helped the Board considerably "luring his long connec- 

 tion with it by his energy, influ nee and practical advice. AH that per- 

 tained to the welfare of the town engaged his active interest. Undoubted- 

 ly he was the guiding force of the Board, proving eminently serviceable 

 in many decisive moments. We have not looked upon his like since, and 

 townsmen should keep his name in a spirit of loyal affection and remem- 

 brance. 



Before the Water Works were completed, the Board was reaching 

 out towards more power as a corporation. Its greatness had ripened, 

 and it came to pass that it mellowed into a Town Council. The statute 

 that created it seemed in need of. structural alteration and repair, and the 

 members proceeded from time to time to frame amendments. This done. 

 a draft Bill was sent on to the Attorney General, who suggested certain 

 alterations and further amendments. Eventually, Ordinance 8 of 1891 

 was passed and, His Majesty the King, not e-xereising his powers of dis- 

 allowance (this phrase was not then in vogue), it became the law of the 

 land, and the Mayor and Town Council of Xew Amsterdam were duly 

 constituted and ushered into being. The Board had itself changed the 

 mould within which it hoped its usefulness would be extended. Before 

 long time it was found that this Ordinance was not comprehensive 

 enough, and for the past seven years the Council has been at the work of 

 amending, sending in last year the draft of a Bill praying the Govern- 

 ment for legislative sinction to be given to it. It is remarkable that 

 among the functions the Council was to assume and perform that of light- 

 ing the town is not included. The town is being lit by electricity by 

 virtue of an Order-in-Council granted by the Executive Council and not 



