ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1022, 11 December 1883, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this Council was held last evening. Present—tlis Worship the Mayor, Crs Andrew Orr, Leggett, Sealy, Bird, Nelson, Harrison, and St Hill. mayor’s statement. His Worship the Mayor reported that the debit balance at the Bank was LI ,070 18s 4d, and the amount received since last meeting was L7l 7s. APPLICATION. Messrs Ward and Sons applied for leave to burn garden rubbish on a section in 0 x street, which belonged to Mr Kingsley. The application was granted on the usual conditions. APOLOGY. Cr Bird apologised for the absence of Or John Orr from the present meeting. NUISANCES The Inspector of Nuisances’ report having been read was considered and adopted. ELECTION OF MAYOR. The Town Clerk reported che election of Mr Donald Williamson as Mayor of Ashburton for the ensuing year. SURVEYORS’ REPORT. The Surveyors’ report was real and adopted. QUESTIONS. Or Nelson asked whether anything had been done regarding the opening of the Moore street crossing. As the grain season was fast approaching, something ought to be done in the matter. The Mayor stated that the matter could be disposed of at once. Cr Bird drew the attention of the Council to the fact of a number of fences which were placed across certain roads. Cr St Hill asked when Mr March intended to shift the fence at the Old Men’s Home ?

Cr Sealy asked that steps be taken during the visit of the Public Works Minister, to bring the matter of the Railway Reserves leases before him. The Mayor stated that he did not know the exact date when the Minister would visit Ashburton, as he had noticed he (the Minister) intended to meet a deputation in Christchurch on Friday next. THE OLD men’s HOME JJOAD. The Mayor reported ha.ing visited the spot where the road and fence at the OM Men’s Home which was referred to by Mr Lt. Hill, with Mr March and the Commissioner of Lands. Ha thought the result would be a re survey of the laud in the neighborhood. He thought that the Council should oppose the re-survey, as it affected the interests of the ratepayers. In any case the Council should be consulted with first. He would not like to see the river frontage taken away from the Borough. He would move this Council has reason to believe that it is intended to apply fora re-survey of the block on which the Old Men’s Home stands, with the view of having part of a thoroughfare or roadway on the bank of the river added to the ground of the Home. That this Council, on behalf of the burgesses and i,habitants of the town, most emphatically protest against

any sucli action, which would ba a serious encroachment on the privileges of the people; and that Mr Wright, the member for the district, be requested to forward this resolution to the Minister of Lands, and take whatever action he may deem necessary to protect the rights of the public in this matter.” Cr St Hill seconded the motion. He hoped that the road known as the termination of Tancred street would not be interfered with, as the river frontage belonged to the inhabitants of Ashburton. Or Harrison said the Council should oppose the re-survey, as it was clear that the Land Board only wanted to close the road altogether. The resolution was carried. HOLIDAYS. It was resolved that the usual three days’ holidays be granted the Clerk and officers of the Council. BOROUGH SCHOOL TREAT. Cr St Hill asked the Council to make a grant of L 5 towards the school treat, as hitherto. A considerable discussion ensued. Ors Harrison, Bird, Leggett and Nelson opposed the resolution, as it was expending the ratepayers’ money without duo cause. Cr Bird proposed, Cr Harrison seconded —“ That the grant be not made.” The motion on being put was declared carried, Crs Bird, Harrison, Leggett and Nelson dissenting. railway reserves’ leases.

Cr Scaly proposed that a deputation bo appointed to wait upon the Minister of Public Works in reference to the reserves in East street. He thought the matter ought to be settled at once, as a certain amount of unfairness had been occasioned by causing some to move off the reserves and others allowed to remain. Or Nelson seconded the resolution. Or St Hill thought that it would be going too far to have the coal merchants’ yards all removed, but the buildings certainly should be. He thought that if they were obliged to remove, the consumer would have to pay for the extra cartage of the coal, efc. The Mayor thought that none of the lessees would complain if all were treated alike and swept off the east side. They could take up sites in West street or on private sections. Sidings could ba made from the railway to the private sections, and so the cost of carriage would not be increased. Or Sealy thought that as the Council had taken the matter up so strongly, the whole of the coal and timber businesses should be removed from both Bast and West streets. He thought they would cause Just as much nuisance in West street in a few years as they did now in East street, Cr Leggett agreed with Or Sealy. Or Andrew Orr thought that some representations should be made to the Minister of Public Works in reference to the handing over of these reserves to the Council. In any case East street should be cleared first. After some further discussion in committee, the resolution was carried. ACCOUNTS.

The usual fortnightly accounts were then-passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.