| Description | Council meeting, 16 September 1808
[Sederunt given]
The Council approved the feu of the piece of waste ground on the south side of Barkmill, belonging to Alexander Raitt, to John Collison, merchant in Aberdeen, on behalf of Patrick Scott, mason in Aberdeen, for an annual feu duty of £10 13 shillings. The Council also approved the feu of the triangular piece of waste ground on the north side of the Lands of Forresterhill, adjacent to that formerly belonging to George Still, merchant in Aberdeen, presently owned by Captain Daniel Mitchell, to Edward Cleugh, vintner in Aberdeen, for £2 15 shillings. (71r - 71v)
The Council approved the sale by public roup of the leases of five lots of waste ground at Torry, situated along the Girdleness and Bay of Nigg, as measured by John Smith, the Town's Superintendent of the Town's Public Works at the sight of Baillie Shepherd, judge of the roup. The leases for nineteen years from Martinmas 1808 were subject to the following conditions; that the tacksmen should be obliged to cultivate and improve their several lots; the first five years to be rent free; the second five years to be the rouped yearly rent; the remaining nine years to be double the rouped rents; the Treasurer to have power to repossess all or any of the lands should they be needed for a public purpose at six months notice and for an agreed sum of compensation. Lot one was taken by William Edward in South Kirkhill; lot two was taken by Alexander Anderson in South Kirkhill; lot three was taken by Andrew Webster in Torrie; lot four was taken by William Mennie in Balnagask; lot five was taken by Gregory Cumine, ferry boatman. (71v - 72r)
The Council approved the sale by public roup of the leases for nine years, from Martinmas 1808, of four pieces of ground at the Glebe of Footdee, at the request of Mr Thomson, Minister there, consisting of about two acres, two roods and nine falls. Lot one, consisting of twenty- one falls, was taken by George Neilson, blockmaker, at the yearly rent of £1 15 shillings 6 pence; lot two, consisting of nineteen falls, was taken by George Masson, carter, at £1 5 shillings; lot three, consisting of one acre and twenty-two falls, was taken by John Milne, residing in Aberdeen, at £15; lot four, consisting of one acre and twenty-seven falls, was taken by the said John Milne at the yearly rent of 14 guineas. (72r - 72v)
The Provost reported to the Council that Thomas Leys of Glasgowforrest, owner of a garden near the Lime Quay, the Master of Mortifications, owner of part of the Glebe of Footdee, and Messrs William Forbes and George Hogarth junior, merchants, owners of certain grounds, houses and sheds near the Pocra Quay had failed to enter into private agreement concerning the sale of these properties which lay within the limits of the intended Harbour Improvements. Subsequently, in May 1807, the magistrates had applied to the Sheriff for a jury to be impanelled to evaluate the various properties in terms of the Act of Parliament passed in 1797 for the Improvement and Enlargement of the Harbour. This was carried out on 24 August 1807 [valuations given]. Mr Leys and the Master of Mortifications agreed to the assessment, however, Messrs Forbes and Hogarth objected and brought a bill of advocation by Lord Meadowbank before the Court of Session. Accordingly, the Council authorised the Shoremaster to treat with Mr Leys and the Master of Mortifications, and remitted to the magistrates, Dean of Guild, Treasurer and Provost Brebner, or any three of them, the consideration of future action with regards Messrs Forbes and Hogarth, and instructed them to consult Dr Dauney, the Town's Assessor, on this matter. (72v - 73v)
An application from the Kirk Session of Aberdeen to allow the Drum's Aisle to be fitted up for the meetings of the Kirk Session, Presbytery and Synod, along with a plan and estimates from the magistrates, was laid before the Council. The Council approved the suggestions and authorised the Master of Bridge and Kirk Works to employ tradesmen to effect the necessary work. (73v - 74r)
The Council admitted five Craftsmen. (74r)
The Council accepted the petitions for assistance from James Glenny and John Kiloh, merchants in Aberdeen, and granted the former £5 and the latter £4. (74r - 74v)
The magistrates reported to Council on their Visitation of the Harbour and Piers on 25 August 1808 and the following recommendations were made; the beacon at the South Pier head was to be replaced at the sight of Mr Storey and members of the Society of Shipmasters; the removal of pebble stones from the foundation of the lowermost jetty was to continue in order to deepen the navigation channel; the ballast taken from the navigation channel was to be laid down on the beach opposite the road between Rae and Gibbon's Dockyards; a new lock was to be put on the door of the Store and Outlook House at the North Pier and the key given to the Captain of the Pilots. (74v - 75r) |