| Description | Council meeting, 26 May 1807
[Sederunt given]
The Council elected Alexander Brebner Esq of Learney, Burgess of Guild and present Provost, to be Aberdeen's delegate at the election on 30 May 1807 of a Burgess to serve as the Member of Parliament for the District of the Burghs of Aberdeen, Montrose, Brechin, Aberbrotheck and Inverbervie, the Council members and William Carnegie, the Town Clerk, having qualified themselves by taking and swearing the necessary oaths. (20r - 21r)
The Council approved the sale by public roup of the leases of the following subjects:
First, the lease for three years of the four Common Mills to George Henderson, former tacksman residing in Aberdeen, acting on behalf of Alexander Christie, miller at Justice Mills, at an annual rent of £281. Henderson proposed himself and John Rae, merchant in Aberdeen, as cautioners for the said Alexander Christie.
Second, the lease for three years of the Bell and Petty Customs to John Forbes, merchant in Aberdeen, at an annual rent of £298. It was agreed that payment be made quarterly. George Forbes, merchant in Aberdeen, and Alexander Kelman, baker, were proposed as cautioners for the said John Forbes.
Third, the lease on a piece of ground at the Lime Sheds, situated at the East End of the Town's Quay, on which a house had been built by James Neilson, lime merchant, as well as part of that under lease to Messrs Garden, Farquharson & Company. The lease, set for fifteen years from 1 June 1808 at an annual rent of £10, was secured by the above- mentioned James Neilson.
Fourth, a lease on a second piece of ground at the Lime Sheds, held by Garden, Farquharson & Company, unoccupied and adjacent to James Neilson's lot. The lease, set for fifteen years from 1 June 1808 at an annual rent of £8, was secured by George Tower, merchant.
Fifth, a lease on a third piece of ground at the Lime Sheds, held by Garden, Farquharson & Company, adjacent to George Tower's lot [description given]. The lease, set for fifteen years from 1 June 1808 at an annual rent of £16, was secured by Garden, Farquharson & Company.
(21v - 22v)
The Council authorised the Provost to sign a bond in the Town's name to the Treasurer, Mr Donald, for the sum of £1000, due to him as assignee to the late John Bruce, senior merchant in Aberdeen, following the death of Mrs Rachel Bruce, in relation to a house in Broad Street purchased by the New Streets Trustees. (22v - 23r)
The Provost laid before the Council a letter from Mr Carnegie, the Town Clerk, communicating a bequest by Mr John Davidson, goldsmith in Aberdeen, for the sum of £1000. The sum was for the foundation of a school for the education of the fishers' children in the village of Footdee to be administered by the Provost, the Master of Mortifications, the youngest minister of Aberdeen and the Minister of Footdee. The Council recommended an extract settlement to be obtained and to be recorded in the Register of Mortifications. (23r)
The Council made its annual Perambulation of the Inner Marches which were found to be clear although the following observations were made; that the covers on the common sewer at the Denburn, conveying the water from Schoolhill, were loose; the Fish Market roof was in need of repair; the face of the embankment at the rear of Provost Young's factory at Pynernook was loose and was being eroded by the tide. Donations were ordered to be made to the relevant office bearers to remedy these problems. (23v)
The Council reported on its annual Inspection of the Bridge of Dee and the Bridge of Don. It was observed that the Bridge of Dee had loose pebbles in the shoing, that several corner stones were loose and required re-bedding, that part of the parapet wall needed pointing and general repair work undertaken, and that the carriageway was in need of mending. It was observed that the Bridge of Don did not require much repair, although some pointing was needed on the east side of the north wing wall, a little harling required on the east side of the south wing and that a butterage on the north-west side of the north wing should be cleared of grass and weeds and afterwards pointed. The Council instructed the Master of Kirk and Bridgeworks to employ tradesmen to effect the necessary repairs. (23v - 24r) |