ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1044, 8 January 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the above Council was held last evening in the Council Chambers, there being present—His Worship the Mayor, and Ors J. Orr, A. Orr, R. Friedlander, A. Harrison, R. Bird, W. Leggett, S. Nelson, G. H. St. Hill and T. Sealy. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. mayor’s statement. The Mayor said that the debit balance at the Bank was L 1,114 8s sd. The following had been collected since last meeting:—Rents, L 4 3; earth sold, Lll; licenses, LI; salaries (Upper Ashburton Road Board), L 5; dog licenses, LI 10s. MOUNT SOMERS RAILWAY COMMISSION. A notification was received from the Under-Secretary of Public Works to the effect that Mr C. N. Bell, M. 1.0.8., had been appointed a Royal Commission to decide upon the Mount Somers Railway Extension, and that he would communicate with the Mayor.—lt was resolved to call a meeting of the Mount Somers Railway Committee for 2 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, the Mount Somers gentlemen interested in the railway to bo invited to be present. RAILWAY ITES. The f .flowing letter was read: - Wellington, 22nd December. His Worship the Mayor, Ashburton. Sir-With reference to your interview with the Minister for Public Works on the subject of the coal, and timber sites at Ashburton, lam directed to reply that the Minister having considered the matter regrets being unable, to comply with the request of the deputation. Closing these sites for the uses they are intended for, would oblige _ the Government to make provision for a goods yards without (he town, which would be expensive and i ’convenient. It appears undesirable to give effefct to the proposal that the' Government should /vbstain from [making the best use of colonial'property for revenue purposes in order to enhance the value of private property. As regards the complaints,'of, certain'lessees under notice, they infringed the conditions of their leases, and have merely been treated as the terms of the lease provide. I have,, etc., J. P, Maxwell, General "The Mayor arid he’ was sorry that the Minister had come to the cpnclusion he had, but he supposed it was no' use to say anything more about the question while the present Government was id office. It was evident that Mr Maxwell, 'Who seemed to be the Minister of Public Works, was opposed to their views. LAND NEAR OLDMB i’s HOME.

Mr E. G. Wright, wrote ia answer to a request that he would communicate with the Minister of Lands re land near the Old Men’s Home, stating that he would give the matter his careful attention. A REQUEST. Mr John Stephens asked that the lease of the reserve ho held should be alloweu to lapse, as ho could not afford to pay the rent. Or St Hill supported the application, but after some discussion the matter dropped. . surveyor’s report.

The Surveyors’ report, which was no important, was read and adopted.

AN ENCROACHING FENCE.

Or St Hill moved—“ That Mr March be requested to remove the fence nCartho Old Men’s Home, which is encroaching-on the Alford Forest road. Or Nelson seconded the motion, and after some little discussion it was put to the' meeting, and carried unanimously, THE INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES.

The Mayor said that he would suggest a committee be appointed to report on the manner in which the Inspector <»rtied out his duties, and to reconimend to the council at next meeting. , He would move that Ora J, Orr, R Frie Hander, and St-Hill be a committee for the'purpose.—Carried. ■ ■' '■ ' TRAFFIC BRIDGE OVER THE ASHBURTON The Mayor moved —‘-‘ That this Council begs again to urge upon the County Council the necessity of erecting a traffic bridge over the Ashburton river in continuation of the Groat South road, on -the understanding that a sum of L 5,000 is already available under the Road- and Bridges Construction Act for this purpose. ’’ This matter had been so often canvassed that he felt'sure that everybody in the Council recognised the advisability of the bridge suggested being er.cted/and he thought that this Council should Again urge 'the necessity of its cotistruotion upon the County Council. ■ ! ; >or Saaley had much pleasure id second- - ing the motion. As one who ! was forced to use the bridge continually, he could testify to the danger that people ran especially on sale days. He was prepared to support anything done Mn the direction indicated, as he thought that the money would be well spent. Or Harrison spoke in support. The opposition previously shown to the construction of the bridge came from those settlers who lived near Methven, but he felt sure that there were very few who would not use the bridge on sale days." Ho knew thpt coachbuilders aaid that there was scarcely an axle in the place which was not injured by crossing the present bridge. Cr Orr wished to know if this Council, was dependent upon the County Council »n the matter. 1 :

Cr Friedlander suggested that a deputation should be appointed to wait on the County Council at their next meeting. The Mayor accepted ■'this addition to his motion, and on being put it was carried unanimously. Or Bird moved—“ That Messrs J. Orr, A. Orr, St Hill, Friedlander, Harrison, and the Mayor form the deputation. ” Or Nelson seconded this, and after a rather personal discussion hsd ensued, and two amendments proposed, neither, of which found a seconder, Or Bird's motion was carried. SHINGLE. The tender of Crum and Addis, in the sum of Is per yard, for tho supply of shingle was accepted LICENSE. , 1 The application of the Templar Hall Company for a license was referred to the Works Committee., ; ’ ACCOUNTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.