BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1265, 28 May 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship the Mayor, and Ora Friedlander, Nelson, J. Orr, A. Orr, Leggett, .Sealy, Bird and Harrison. The minutes of iho previous meeting were read and confirmed. match's statement. The Mayor said that the debit balance at the Bank was L 1,061 6s Bi. The rates paid up ,to date amounted to L 333 6s, and there was still L 983 14s owing. The rates were coming in very slowly, while the Council was paying interest on a very large overdraft, and unless ratepayers tooK this warning it would be necessary to institute proceedings. THE FERBIMAN CASE. A letter was read from Mr E. G. Crisp, the Borough solicitor, stating that in his opinion no steps could be taken in regard to Mr Ferriman’s building, unless' it was shown that soma arrangement had been made with Mr St. Hill. He had asked the latter to furnish him with any written documents upon the question, but this had not been done, and therefore no further steps could be taken. The Mayor said that he thought it was desirable to consult the Borough solicitor on the case, and he had accordingly instructed the Clerk to do so. The opinion just read would have been forthcoming earlier, but he thought it was better to delay the matter in order to see whether some arrangement could be made with Cr St Hill. It now remained with the Council to say what should be done. Cr Friedlander thought consideration of the question should be postponed till Or St Hill was present. He would move to chat effect. Cr Bird seconded this, and it was carried unanimously. BURNING RUBBISH. Messrs G. Cates and S. Potter were granted leave to burn rubbish on their sections in Grey street, subject to the usual conditions. engineers’ report. The following report was read and adpoted.

The Works Committee make the following recommendations:--!. That the Council be recommended to call for tenders for horse feed for the winter ; say, for 200 bushels oats and 2 tons chaff, instead of buying it in small quantities as at present.—2. That tenders be called for the supply of shingle as it may be required for the next six months ; say, from 1,000 to 1,500 yards of road and foo'path shingle, which will be required for metall ng the footpaths lately formed and for the road to the Hospital, as well as for any minor works that may need it.—3. That on account of the extra labor in the work of clearing the outfall drain and water races, a bonus of L.I each be granted to Hayes, Hoarcan l Sleeman. —4. lhat as there has been a considerable amount of traffic on the upper part of Havelock street west, which has rendered it in some places almost impassable, the Council be recommended to reduce a portion of it, say from Winter street to Grigg street, to its proper level. The stud taken from this street could be used in filling in Cameron and Grigg streets, part of the proposed route to the Hospital. —Asphalt pavement at Messrs Matson, Cox and Co. ’s store: The alteration of level of this footpath was caused by the necessity for putting in a stronger crossing than usual over the water channel, which consequently stood above the footpath, and the asphalt was accordingly raised by the c jntractor with the approval of Mr Fooks, senr.—The labor gang have been engaged in forming footpaths, the S>. E. Belt and Wakanui road, clearing rubbish from the streets, attending to water supply, etc, etc. MATSON, COX AND CO.’S PAVEMENT. On the clause in the Engineer’s report referring to the above being read, Or Friedlander said that the path was dangerous to foot passengers. He could not see why the Council should be so strict in this matter of footpaths in one case and so lax in another.

A long and somewhat acrimonious conversation followed, in the course of which it was pointed out that Messrs Matson, Cpx and Co.’s footpath had been formed with the express concurrence of the Engineer, and not, as in other cases previously dealt with by the Council, in opposition to that officer’s wishes. Ihe clause as read was ultimately adopted.

I VSPECTOr’s REPORT. The report of this official was read and adopted. auditors. The returning officer reported that only two nominations had been received for the office of auditors to the Borough, and' he had therefore declared Messrs Gandry and Duncan elected. st Stephen’s school. The Engineer reported that the means of egress from St Steph n’s school were not sufficient incase office. —It was resolved to call the attention of the Hev vir Scott to the report, and that the license be not granted till t le Engineer’s recommendation be carried out. SOUTH BAST BELT. , Or Friedlander drew attention to the fact that the path at the South-east Belt was not yet shingled. ■Grs Nelson and Soaly said that the path referred to was being formed and would be finished within a day or two. MOORE STREET CROSSING. ;Cr Sealy moved that the Government be requested to re-open the Moore street railway crossing. He said that when before applied to the Minister had refused fluly to comply with the request, and it had been suggested he had not had time tO'iconsider the question. Since then Mr Mitchelson had been busy in the North Island, and perhaps he might give the request more favorable consideration non,. He (Mr Sealy) would refer to what Mr Baddeley had said on the Bench as to the danger accruer >g to people crossing ihe line qa account of the coal treats preventing an approaching train

being seen. Were the Moore street ei casing opened it would take off son s of the traffic now passing through othet streets, and so obviate to some extent the danger referred to. Cr Kelson seconded the motion, which was carried. A DEFECTIVE ROAD. Or Frisdlander called attention to the state of the road through the railway reserve near Moore street. At times the place was so bad that anyone having to pass that way was compelled to wade ■ through slush knee-deep. The Mayor suggested that the Railway Department at Christchurch be written to concerning it. Cr Sealy moved that the matter stand over till a reply was received from the Government re the Moore street crossing, and this was carried. CAMERON STREET EAST. On a suggestion being msde that certain repairs should be carried out in the above street, Cr Harrison said that he advocated all street works should come In rotation. Havelock street west was in a disgraceful state, and its proper formation was a work of urgency. If other places were to he attended to out of their proper turn, many more important and necessary repairs would have to be postponed indefinitely. Cr Sealy pointed out that the men were now working in close proximity to Cameron street, and what was needed could be done by two men in a tingle day. He could assure Cr Harrison that the Works Committee were quite alive to the necessity pf improving Havelock stveet, and the Engineer had arranged to carry it out forthwith. Other Councillors havin-; spoken In the same strain, Or Harrs.n was understood to withdraw his eppoaitioo, and the original suggestion was adopted. LICENSE. An application for a cab license was granted to Frank Brothers. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to LSI 10s 9d were passed for payment. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Friedlander gave notice to move—- “ That all footpaths in the Borough be brought to their proper levels. The Council then adjourned.