ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 298, 21 March 1881, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Special Meeting. A special meeting of this Council was held at the chambers, Baring square. Present Messrs W. C. Walker (Chairman), E. G. Wright, T. Bullock, D. Cameron, J. Jackson, and E. S. Coster. The Chairman stated that this meeting was held for the purpose of considering what steps the Council should take in reference to the reception of *his Excellency the Governor. A draft of an address had been prepared for the consideration of the members present. Mr Grigg had written ah apology, stating that he was unable to attend the meeting today. . SIR ARTHUR GORDON'S RECEPTION. Mr Bullock moved, and Mr Jackson seconded—“ That a committee be appointed of the following, for the purpose of arranging the details in connection with the Governor’s reception, viz. :—The Chairman and Messrs Wright and Coster Carried. NOTICE OF MOTION. The Chairman gave notice to move at the next ordinary meeting—“ That the sum of L be devoted by the Council towards the expenses incurred in conjunction with the Ashburton Industrial Exhibitibn.” PLAINS WATER SUPPLY. Mr Wright reported that already the value of property adjacent to the course of the water-race had risen considerably. A valuator had already valued theland in its vicinity at an increase of LI per acre. Mr Winter, of Messrs Winter and Roberts, interviewed the Council as to a proposed branch of the water supply leading to his property. After some discussion it was de;ided that the existing arrangements in connection with this matter shall stand good until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

PETITION,

His Worship the Mayor interviewed the Council, and presented a memorial which had been prepared for the purpose of praying the railway authorities _to remove the engine shed out of Baring Square before taking steps towards enlarging it. Mr Bullock said that in 1879, the railway authorities had promised to remove the present shed, to somewhere near the Domain. It was asked because the shed was built in the centre of the town, and was not a permanent building. A public meeting was held in the Town Hall, when resolutions wore passed, asking the Government to remove the building, but at that time the Government were short of funds. The Assistant-Engineer had pointed out to him (Mr Bullock) that the present shed was greatly in the way, and interfered very much with the traffic at the station. He would ask the Council to pass a resolution approving of the memorial now before them. Mr Bullock then moved, and Mr D. Cameron seconded—“ That the Council approve of the removal of the engine shed, as suggested by the petitioners. ” —Carried. Mr Bullock asked that a copy of the resolution bo sent to the railway authorities, and ho would also like to mention the fact that it was necessary to improve the present station accomodation. Mr Wright reminded Mr Bullock that very strong representations had been made to the Government at (he last sitting of the Assembly, and a promise was made that the Ashburton Station should be enlarged as soon as possible. The memorial, as presented by his Worship the Mayor, was handed round for signatures, after which he thanked the Council and withdrew.

The special meeting then adjourned. Committee Meeting. The Water Supply Committee held a committee meeting directly afterwards.