ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 850, 24 January 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held this morning. Present—Messrs E. G. Wright (Acting-Chairman), J. Jackson, J. Lunbie, T. Bullock, and H. T. Winter, APOLOGY. A letter was read from Mr W. G. Walker, apologising for his absence, chairman’s statement. The Chairman said the special business for consideration at this meeting was—(l) striking a rate ; (2) matters in connection with the trespass on the water-races ; and (3) the appointment of a Returning Officer for the Licensing Committee election for the County. BANKING ACCOUNT. The Chairman read a statement of accounts relative to the Council’s banking accommodation for temporary purposes, which was very satisfactory.—The Chairman’s action was approved of. RETURNING OFFICER. Mr Mainwaring, Clerk to the County Council, was appointed Returnirtg Officer for the election of the Licensing Committee for the Ridings of Ashburton, Longbeach, Upper Ashburton, and Mount Somers. i .... PRESIDING OFFICERS, It was resolved that the clerks of the respective Road Boards be appointed presiding officers for the election of ’Licensing Committees. ; CORRESPONDENCE. ' y - i A letter was read from Messrs Fopks and Sons, relative to the necess ty for providing some means to inspect the roofs of, the County Council offices.—The necessary outlay was agreed to. j A communicatian was received from the Chairman of the Christchurch Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, re appointment of a representative to attend the next meeting of the Board. A discussion ensued as to any suggestions which the Council’s representative should be asked to bring before the Board relative to the contributions, etc., members generally being of opinion that a rate would be much more satisfactory than a system of voluntary contributions. —Mr E. G. Wright,' M.H.R., was Unanimously appointed the Council’s representative at the Board’* meeting, in terms of their letter. A letter from the Ashburton and Rakaia Forks Railway Company, re striking the rate for railway purposes, was read but its coh-id "ration was deferred Until the next meeting of the Council. INSUCANCE ON THE HOSPITAL. It was decided that the insurance on the Hospital buildings be renewed for another year. GENERAL COUNTY RATE. The consideration of the rate for general purposes was then gone into and confirmed. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE. A letter from the Under-secretary in reference to the appointment of a separate resident magistrate for Ashburton was read and received. TAMPERING WITH WATER-RACES. , The Council then went into committee to consider the cases of tampering with water-races. The Ranger to the Council was present, and pointed out where the obstructions in the races are situated and their nature, iu accordance with a report recently laid before the Council by him. On resuming, the Council were of . opinion that no action could be taken against Mr Hussey, on account of alleged tampering with the race through his property. Other complaints brought before the Council were deferred for further evidence. NEW WATER-RACES. Applications for a number of new branches of water-races were received, but the Council decided to defer making any additional races until after harvest. The Council then adjourned.