BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1075, 16 October 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Council was held last evening at the Council Chamber. Present —His Worship the Mayor, Ors Andrew Orr, Harrison, Sealy, Leggett, Nelson, and Bird. ABSENT COUNCIL! OR. Cr Orr apologised for the absence of Or St Hill, who was at present out of town. MAYOR’S STATEMENT. The Mayor reported that the .debit balance at the Bank was L 913 IBs. The reserves which were applied for have been vested in the Council, and the Gazette notices of same appeared on the 4th lost. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from Mr Peter Walker was read, stating that unless the whole ef the soil (500 loads) was delivered he would not pay for that already left on his property, and would obtain the balance at the Council’s risk. A discussion ensued on the matter, and it was resolved on the motion of Cr Sealy, seconded by Or Nelson “That Mr Walker be informed, in reply to his letter that as soon as he complies with the Council's request, viz—to pay for the soil now delivered, the Council will deliver the balance of the soil as soon as possible.” From Mr Higgins secretary to the Ashburton Fire Brigade, asking the Council to sanction the purchase «f some Fire Brigade material. It was resolved that the application be granted. ENGINEER’S REPORT. This report was read as follows and adopted:—“The labor gang have been engaged in re-forming the Alford Forest road, carting earth to private sections, filling hole at corner of Cox street, west, filling hollows in William street, repairing roads, maintaining plantation, clearing side channels, attending to water supply, etc.” INSPECTORS REPORT. The report of this officer was read and adopted. MOORE STKETT. Cr Nelson asked if anything could be done to remove a number of reapers and binders and other machinery which were lying in front of Friedlander Bros.’ store? He thought that as the other street lines were cleared across the Railway Reserves, this one should be done. The Mayor stated that it was intended to open up the street as soon as a large hole on the west side of the railway line was filled up. Several persons had spoken to him on the matter, and as the work was authorised already, it would be taken in hand as soon as possible. MAORI RESERVES. The Mayor stated that there were a large number of sections in this town which belonged to Maoris, and on which a large amount of rates had become due to the Council. Mr Boyle had been ininstrumental in obtaining about L 6 of these rates, and he thought that the Council should pay a commission for the collection of these rates annually. Or Harrison suggested that the Council should pay 10 per cent, to Mr Boyle for collecting these rates. His Worship the Mayor moved—“ That Mr Boyle be paid five per cent, for collecting the rates from the owners of the Maori reserves, and if it is found satisfactory the Council will bo glad to make permanent arrangements to' him for the future.” Cr Harrison seconded the motion, which was carried. HALF HOLIDAY. Or Harrison drew the attention of the Council to the fact that a step was bei ig now initiated in the Borough to fix a half holiday during the week. Nearly 'he whole of the grain and other merchants had agreed to give a half holiday to their clerks and employes, and no doubt it would become a general thing with all the other trades. He would move—“ That the Council offices close on the half holiday, if the present movement be carried into effect.” Cr Sealy seconded the motion, and it was carried. LICENSES. Carriers’ licenses were granted to R. Cullen, Henry Dailey, T. Williams, and 8.0. Smith. INSPECTOR OP PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 1 The Mayor stated that it was very necessary to have the public halls in Ashburton inspected before the licenses were granted to them. The Council undertook some responsibility when issuing the licenses, and therefore something ought to be done in the matter. He thought that only six days in the week should be fixed for the letting of the hall and endorsed on the licenses. He would rao va_“ That the Engineer be appointed inspector of Public buildings, and should his report be satisfactory the licenses be granted at the following meeting of the Council. Cr Sealy seconded the resolution and it was carried. DEPUTATION. Mr Purnell said that Dr Ross, Dr Leahy, Mr M. Friedlander and himself had been requested by the Committee of the Ashburton Jockey Club to wait upon the Council in reference to an invitation which had been sent by the Club to the Governor. The Club had invited his Excellency and Lady Jervois to attend the race meeting to be held next month; and should his Excellency honor them by accepting the invitation, the Club would, of course, endeavor to entertain him in a proper and suitable manner. While, however, the Governor would necessarily be the guest of the Club, seeing that it had sent the invitation, still they thought it might prove agreeable to his Excellency’s feelings and also to the feelings of the people of the town, as well as of the Council if the matter took a wide range, by the Council co-operating with the Club in receiving and entertaining the Governor, bearing, of course, a share of the expanse. The views of the members of the Club, so far as ha understood them, wore that his Excellency should not be troubled with addresses or anything of that sort, but that their efforts should be directed solely to making the time pass agreeably to his Excellency. Until a reply to the invitation wore received they were not in a position to lay a programme before the Council, because supposing the invitation were accepted, they did not know whether the Governor would atop in Ashburton one or two days ; but if,tho Council would appoint a Reception Committee to cooperate with any similar Committee which might be appointed by the Jockey Club, the two Committees could then jointly settle all matters of detail. Probably it would be thought desirable to decorate the town, and there might also be an opportunity of driving his Excellency about the town and suburbs. On the occasion of the Governor visiting Ashburton all he had seen of the town was the refreshment room at the railway station. The invitation might of course be refused, but it was thought desirable to wait upon the Council this evening seeing that the time for preparation was short and the Council would not meet for another fortnight. The Mayor said that if his Excellency came to the town, it would, of course, be the duty of the Council to receive him ; but if he alighted at the racecourse, then it would become the duty’ of the County Council. Mr Purnell had omitted to mention that the Club intended to ask the cooperation of the County Council. 1 The Mayor could only express the feeling of the (jJpdqoil to be favorable towards helping tlie deputation, aud doing their share in the reception of His Excellency. The Council would at once consider the matter, and acquaint the deputation of the result.

The deputation thanked the Council and withdrew. v After a slight discussion, it was resolved that the whole of the Council form itself into a Committee to assist in the reception of his Excellency the Governor should he visit Ashburton. PIRE BRIGADE STATION. Cr Sealy asked if anything had been done in reference to the completion of the cottage now on the Fire Brigade section. The Mayor staled that the matter was now in the hands of the Engineer. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L 63 were passed for payment. THB ALFORD FOREST ROAD. Cr Nelson said it was quite true that an accident had occurred on the Alford Forest road through some obstructions being placed across it during the past fortnight. Notwithstanding this, a cer•tain Councillor had written to the papers stating that no obstruction, nor had any accident happened on this road through this cause. Ors Harrison and Sealy also confirmed the statement of Cr Nelson. Bis Worship said that the obstruction was not placed there by the employees of the Council, and that no rope was placed across the road in question at the time of the accident. The matter then dropped. The Council then adjourned.