ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1003, 24 July 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council took place last evening, at the Borough Council Chambers, Burnett street. There were present—His Worship the Mayor," and Crs A. Orr, W. Roberts, S. Nelson, G. St Hill, R. Bird, and A. Harrison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. BANK OVERDRAFT. The May or stated that the amount of the overdraft was now L 706 7s 6d. C IBRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr H. Friedlander, objecting to pay the amount of the tax-levied on him for the shop lately occupied by Mr Martin, butcher.—As it was thought by Councillors that Mr Friedlander must be under same-misap-prehension in regard to the matter, the Clerk was instructed te refer the letter back with explanations. From Mr W. E. Dolman, accepting the position of caretaker of the Fire Brigade property, and thanking the Council for the appointment.

From Mr Joseph Clark, desiring to relinquish all interest in the reserves let by the Council to Mr F. Pavitt.

From the Clerk of the Wellington Borough Council, offering a waterworks plant for sale. From Sergeant Felton, asking for a lamp to & be placed at the corner of Kermode street and Mona square for the convenience of the police.—Request complied with. From Mr Geo. Cates, drawing the attention of the Council to the state of Gray street.—Referred to the Works Committee. From Mr J. Ward, asking the Council to nominate three members, including the Mayor, to act on the new Domain Board. —Cr St Hill proposed—“ That Cr A. orr and the mover, with the Mayor, represent the Council on the Domain Board.’’-—Cr R. Bird proposed —“ Crs A. Harrison and John Orr.”—Cr A. Orr retired in favor of Cr Harrison. A vote was then taken with the following result :—St Hill, 5; J. Orr, 5; A. Harrison, 4. Crs St Hill and J, Orr were accordingly elected. FINANCE. His Worship stated that he had asked Mr Shury to put himself in communication with Christchurch to see what were the best terms the Bank could give the Council for an overdraft |to the extent of L2 000, but no reply had been received. —lt was resolved —“ That the Finance Committee take the matter in hand, and make the best arrangements they could.” ENGINEER’S REP- )RX. Gentlemen, —We have the honor to report as follows :—At a meeting of the Works Committee on the ißth ul imo, the question of the mistake in Cameron street was considered. The foreman, who was present, explained the reason of the error to the satisfaction of the Committee. —A proposal from Messrs Davison and C- ', offe ing to supply broken metal at 4s 6d per yard, provided the Council take 5° yards per month for 10 or 12 months, was referred to the Council for their consideration. —They also resolved that thb Fire Brigade be asked to test the several pipe wells in order to ascertain their efficiency or otherwise —The contractor for asphalting footpaths has been engaged in putting those in t-ast street in repair, and we have given him a certificate for the balance of his contract, in acc«’ dance with his agreement.—The labor gang has been engaged in levelling Fire Brigade section, repairing roads, clearing tussocks off footpaths, clearing side channels, making and fixing bridges, etc., attending to water supply, etc., etc.

The various clauses of the report were adopted, with the exception of clause 2 —broken metal for roads—Councillors deciding to use shingle from the river bed instead.

nuisances’ report. The Inspector of Nuisances’ report, and the report of the Reserves Committee were then read and adopted. NEW BUSINESS. Cr St. Hill thought some effort should be made to dispose of the hydraulic pumps now in the possession of the Council, and which had cost L6O. Cr Harrison moved —“That the clause in the Engineers’ report re the formation of Alford Ferest road be rescinded, and that the roads in the north end of the town be gone on with.” This was seconded proformd by Cr St Hill. After a lengthy discussion, it was proposed by his Worship as an amendment “ IVat the re-formation of Alford Forest road be gone on with at once.” In speaking to the amendment the Mayor said he could have ha 1 this road done years ago if he had wished it, when the other streets in the Borough were formed, but having an eye to economy, he had waited until the road was perfectly worn out before moving in the matter.

Or Harrison considered that the Alford Forest road was in moderately good condition, as compared with the other streets. The amendment was then put and carried. RAILWAY RESERVES. flia Worship said that no reply had yet been received from Government re railway reserves, about which Major Atkinson was interviewed when he passed through Ashburton. He did not think it was ever the intention of the Govern-

ment to reserve some of the best business sites as a source of revenue. It was resolved—“ That, the Mayor write to Government, pointing out the use of these reserves as seriously retarding the progress of the town.” STREETS. On the motion of Or Roberts, seconded by Or St Hill, it was resolved—“ That a separate account be kept for each street, showing the amount voted and expended on same since the formation of the Borough. ” ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 94 8s 2d were passed for payment.