| Description | Council meeting, 29 May 1813
[Sederunt given]
The Provost reported that the standing committee had deemed it expedient to advertise the Flour Mill by private treaty for one, two or three years from 26 May 1813 and that an offer from George Henderson, residing in Aberdeen, for a lease of one year at £150 had been accepted by the committee. (259r)
The Council approved the sale by public roup of the leases of the following subjects belonging to the Treasurer from 1 June 1813.
First, the lease for three years of a piece of ground at Poynernook situated on the west side of the High Road leading towards the Floodmark and brick kilns called Dee Street, currently held by John Scott Esq of London and occupied by Hugh Arthur Low, wood merchant, as delineated on a plan and marked number two, was taken by James Bowman, residing in Aberdeen, on behalf of the said Hugh Arthur Low at £20 annual rent.
Second, the lease for three years of a piece of ground lying on the east side of the Pocra Road, half of which is held by Alexander Mackie, blockmaker, and the other half, extending to the Back Road also leading to the Pocra Road, not at present under lease [measurements given] was taken by the said Alexander Mackie at £7 annual rent.
Third, the lease for three years of a piece of ground on the east side of the said road, formerly held by Pirie, Read & Company, now by Donaldson Rose, Shipbuilder, bounded on the south by the shipbuilding yard of Alexander Hall & Company and extending thence along the Pocra Road and back to the Back Road, with certain liberties [details of privileges given] was taken by James Brebner, merchant as a shipbuilding yard at the annual rent of £16.
Fourth, the lease for three years of a piece of ground on the east side of the said road, currently held by John Rae, merchant in Aberdeen, bounded on the north by Alexander Mackie's yard, on the west by the said front road leading to the Pocra, on the east by the Back Road [measurements given] was taken by George Henderson at the annual rent of £10.
Fifth, the lease for seven years of a piece of ground in the Links, lying on the east side of the Back Road leading to the Pocra in a line with the Bon-Accord Whale-fishing Company's building, immediately behind William Stephen's yard, was taken by the said William Stephen at £8 annual rent.
Two other pieces of ground on the east side were exposed for three years at £12 yearly rent, one held by James Brebner, the other by James Mackie, merchant, but no offer was made.
(259r - 260r)
The Provost reported that the standing committee upon an application from the Aberdeen and Union Whale Fishing Companies had agreed to grant them a lease of additional ground east of the boil houses for the remainder of their present leases, being for seven years from 1 June 1813 at £7 annual rent, the Aberdeen company now paying £37 annually and the Union Whale £47. He further reported that the magistrates had also approved an application from the Greenland Company for additional ground at the back of their present buildings for seven years from 1 June 1813 at £10 annual rent, bringing the total payable to £20, all the plots as marked on the plans drawn up by Mr John Gibb, Superintendant of the Harbour Improvements. (260r - 260v)
The Council made its annual Perambulation of the Inner Marches which were found to be clear although the following observations were made; that the Tailor Incorporation had built a small dyke within the line of the Town's March upon the Links at the end of the Bowl Road and orders were given to have them removed; that the Lime Quay opposite the ship yard of Donaldson Rose is blocked with London causeway and other stones - George Turriff, the Town Sergeant was directed to instruct the owners to remove them; that Dr Dauney had erected a timber railing in the line of the March at the entrance to the Burn of Broadford - the Clerk was instructed to request Dr Dauney to remove this encroachment to facilitate clear access, particulary for the tacksman of the Town's Mills for cleaning out the mill lead; the Council recommended that Mr John Smith, architect, erect a new march stone opposite the gate of the Gilcomston Brewery. (260v - 261r)
The Council approved the application from Professor George Glennie, Preacher in the College Church, to remove a stair in the College Church leading up to the Gallery belonging to the Marischal College for the better accomodatiom of his hearers, on condition that he should produce an extract minute of the Faculty approving of the measure. (261r)
The Provost reported that in consequence of the Act and Resolution to transfer the house and garden in Footdee belonging to the Dean of Guild to the Treasurer, the magistrates had employed Mr John Smith, architect, and Alexander Nesbit, mason, to value the property, and that they had reported that it was worth £800. The Council approved of the valuation and authorised the transfer. (261r - 261v)
The Provost stated that, several years previously, advances had been made by the Town to the Commutation Trustees of the Aberdeen District concerning a loan from the funds of the Bridges of Dee and Don to assist them in defraying the expenses of building the roads between the Bridges and the Town, however the interest due did not appear to have been paid. Which being considered, the Council appointed a committee to meet with the Trustees committee to consider the claims of the Town upon the Commutation Money, the committee being the Provost, Baillies Garden and Duncan, the Treasurer and Mr James Hadden, or any three of them. (261v) |