登陆注册
5383800000153

第153章

The Brigands at Work The next day, at the meeting of the Town Council, Mr Wireman's report concerning the Electric Light Works was read.The expert's opinion was so favourable - and it was endorsed by the Borough Engineer, Mr Oyley Sweater - that a resolution was unanimously carried in favour of acquiring the Works for the town, and a secret committee was appointed to arrange the preliminaries.Alderman Sweater then suggested that a suitable honorarium be voted to Mr Wireman for his services.This was greeted with a murmur of approval from most of the members, and Mr Didlum rose with the intention of proposing a resolution to that effect when he was interrupted by Alderman Grinder, who said he couldn't see no sense in giving the man a thing like that.`Why not give him a sum of money?'

Several members said `Hear, hear,' to this, but some of the others laughed.

`I can't see nothing to laugh at,' cried Grinder angrily.`For my part I wouldn't give you tuppence for all the honorariums in the country.I move that we pay 'im a sum of money.'

`I'll second that,' said another member of the Band - one of those who had cried `Hear, Hear.'

Alderman Sweater said that there seemed to be a little misunderstanding and explained that an honorarium WAS a sum of money.

`Oh, well, in that case I'll withdraw my resolution,' said Grinder.

`I thought you wanted to give 'im a 'luminated address or something like that.'

Didlum now moved that a letter of thanks and a fee of fifty guineas be voted to Mr Wireman, and this was also unanimously agreed to.Dr Weakling said that it seemed rather a lot, but he did not go so far as to vote against it.

The next business was the proposal that the Corporation should take over the drain connecting Mr Sweater's house with the town main.Mr Sweater - being a public-spirited man - proposed to hand this connecting drain - which ran through a private road - over to the Corporation to be theirs and their successors for ever, on condition that they would pay him the cost of construction - ?5 - and agreed to keep it in proper repair.After a brief discussion it was decided to take over the drain on the terms offered, and then Councillor Didlum proposed a vote of thanks to Alderman Sweater for his generosity in the matter: this was promptly seconded by Councillor Rushton and would have been carried nem.con., but for the disgraceful conduct of Dr Weakling, who had the bad taste to suggest that the amount was about double what the drain could possibly have cost to construct, that it was of no use to the Corporation at all, and that they would merely acquire the liability to keep it in repair.

However, no one took the trouble to reply to Weakling, and the Band proceeded to the consideration of the next business, which was Mr Grinder's offer - on behalf of the `Cosy Corner Refreshment Company' -to take the Kiosk on the Grand Parade.Mr Grinder submitted a plan of certain alterations that he would require the Corporation to make at the Kiosk, and, provided the Council agreed to do this work he was willing to take a lease of the place for five years at ?0 per year.

Councillor Didlum proposed that the offer of the `Cosy Corner Refreshment Co.Ltd' be accepted and the required alterations proceeded with at once.The Kiosk had brought in no rent for nearly two years, but, apart from that consideration, if they accepted this offer they would be able to set some of the unemployed to work.

(Applause.)

Councillor Rushton seconded.

Dr Weakling pointed out that as the proposed alterations would cost about ?75 - according to the estimate of the Borough Engineer - and, the rent being only ?0 a year, it would mean that the Council would be ?5 out of pocket at the end of the five years; to say nothing of the expense of keeping the place in repair during all that time.

(Disturbance.) He moved as an amendment that the alterations be made, and that they then invite tenders, and let the place to the highest bidder.(Great uproar.)Councillor Rushton said he was disgusted with the attitude taken up by that man Weakling.(Applause.) Perhaps it was hardly right to call him a man.(Hear! Hear!) In the matter of these alterations they had had the use of Councillor Grinder's brains: it was he who first thought of making these improvements in the Kiosk, and therefore he -or rather the company he represented - had a moral right to the tenancy.(Loud cheers.)Dr Weakling said that he thought it was understood that when a man was elected to that Council it was because he was supposed to be willing to use his brains for the benefit of his constituents.(Sardonic laughter.)The Mayor asked if there was any seconder to Weakling's amendment, and as there was not the original proposition was put and carried.

Councillor Rushton suggested that a large shelter with seating accommodation for about two hundred persons should be erected on the Grand Parade near the Kiosk.The shelter would serve as a protection against rain, or the rays of the sun in summer.It would add materially to the comfort of visitors and would be a notable addition to the attractions of the town.

Councillor Didlum said it was a very good idear, and proposed that the Surveyor be instructed to get out the plans.

Dr Weakling opposed the motion.(Laughter.) It seemed to him that the object was to benefit, not the town, but Mr Grinder.

(Disturbance.) If this shelter were erected, it would increase the value of the Kiosk as a refreshment bar by a hundred per cent.If Mr Grinder wanted a shelter for his customers he should pay for it himself.(Uproar.) He (Dr Weakling) was sorry to have to say it, but he could not help thinking that this was a Put-up job.(Loud cries of `Withdraw' `Apologize' `Cast 'im out' and terrific uproar.)Weakling did not apologize or withdraw, but he said no more.Didlum's proposition was carried, and the `hand' went on to the next item on the agenda, which was a proposal by Councillor Didlum to increase the salary of Mr Oyley Sweater, the Borough Engineer, from fifteen pounds to seventeen pounds per week.

同类推荐
  • 通俗编

    通俗编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 重订产孕集

    重订产孕集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 戒单

    戒单

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 炮炙大法

    炮炙大法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 池北偶谈

    池北偶谈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 愿余生仲夏与微凉

    愿余生仲夏与微凉

    一群女生的梦想与未来,愿友谊长久,爱情长久
  • 闽中纪略

    闽中纪略

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 小姐的极品跟班

    小姐的极品跟班

    燕大博士陈风,被外星人带走,误入黑洞,穿越到未知星球的古代。为了生存,他当了废柴少爷的跟班。无奈自己太出色,被人抢来抢去。从此各种啼笑皆非的故事展开
  • 宠冠天下:漓王,来接驾

    宠冠天下:漓王,来接驾

    重生一世,某男变得主动了怎么办?前世她入敌国当奸细,遇见了他;沙场再见,他却为她杀死了自己。本想好好补偿,没想到最后却补偿到被吃抹干净。她是戚叶国隐世家族继承人,他是云辰国皇族皇子。人前,某男清冷高贵;人后,霸道的把她圈在怀里。“风墨漓,我们是敌人关系!”男人凤眸微微眯起,一字一句:“那又如何?你、是、我、的。”【甜宠文,男女双洁。放心入坑,么么哒~】
  • 生物技术与工程导论

    生物技术与工程导论

    本书较全面地反映国内外现代生物技术与工程的基本原理和最新发展,内容丰富,新颖、文字流畅、町读性强。本书涉及微生物学、遗传学、分子生物学、细胞生物学、细胞工程、基因工程、酶工程、发酵工程、生化分离工程等内容,以及在农业、食品、医药、能源、环境保护等领域中的应用。全书共分8章,每章后附有知识目标、能力目标、知识拓展、参考文献、进一步阅读材料、复习思考题。通过本书,读者不仅可以了解新技术和新进展,且能够从中学到科学的思维方式,提高独立思考的能力。
  • 暖皇绝宠:弃妃闹翻天

    暖皇绝宠:弃妃闹翻天

    他对她一见钟情,可注定,她是三皇子的妃。她道:“我想……让我夫君做皇帝。”他答:“好。”于是将皇位拱手相让。他临死前,依旧用充满柔情的目光望着她。她道:“若是我第一个遇见你,那该有多好。”他答:“那我来世……早些去找你。”不待来世,凤凰重生,揭露出一幕幕惊天阴谋,原来真相是如此惊天动地!斗家族、斗奸臣、斗妃嫔,上辈子你们视我如草芥,这辈子我让你们高攀不起!
  • 梦有未央未有梦

    梦有未央未有梦

    她爱权力,但不想当皇帝。他爱权力,也想当皇帝,只是在这条路上有她在前面挡着。多年之后,她觉得自己好像做了一场惊心动魄的梦。很久以后,他觉得她应是他人生当中最美好的噩梦。这个梦不会到尽头,因为自始至终它就不是个梦。
  • 迷村(全集)

    迷村(全集)

    记者马长智在马兰镇遭遇火灾,醒来后失忆,发小范小乙去事件发生地调查一无所获。后马长智回忆慢慢苏醒,原来是他辞职后,揣着记者证,去当地采风,却无意中住到造假酒的一户人家,那家人发现了他的记者证,为掩人耳目,想一把火烧死马长智。
  • 无双狂神

    无双狂神

    一个五岁时被截断心脉的废材,他受尽屈辱,但从未放弃!一个倒霉的半吊子炼器师,炼什么废什么,却一直希望炼出最棒的神器!一块黑玉残片,却让这个几乎一事无成的废柴,华丽逆袭,成为不败战神!一段波澜壮阔的百族争霸拉开序幕,在这段争霸中,这个原本该注定默默无闻的小人物,成就了一番无双霸业!
  • 人渣

    人渣

    张天宝突然死了。张天宝是连同自行车从几十米高的公路上摔下悬崖而死的。那天是9月20日早晨。星期三,天下着毛毛秋雨。发现张天宝尸首的人是一位卖菜老头。那天卖菜老头跟往日一样起了个大早。当他挑着菜篮匆忙来到离N市只有10公里的庙咀转弯处一条乡村公路上的时候,他内急忍不住,放下菜篮到公路边撒尿。当他射下悬崖去的时候,他惊恐万状地望见了血肉模糊的一具尸首。死者被摔得脑浆迸出,断肢缺腿,鞋飞裤破。卖菜老头惊叫了一声“妈呀!”,尿湿了一裤裆。