ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1548, 9 July 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The adjourned fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Preheat—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Thomas, J. Orr, Nelson, Bird and Harrison. BENTS OP RESERVES. A letter was read from the Ashburton Building and Investment Society, enclosing copy of the following resolution passed by the Directors of that body at their last meeting, viz;—“ That the attention of the Borough Council be drawn to ill effect and injury to their interests, and the interests of the ratepayers generally, arising from the non-collection of rents and rates on reserves upon which the Building Society have advanced money.” After discussion Cr Thomas moved—- “ That an answer be forwarded to the Building Society to the effect that the Council agree with the sentiments expressed therein, and for the future will endeavor to protect the Society as much as possible. ” Seconded by Or Nelson and carried unanimously. RAILWAV CROSSING, CAMERON STREET. The following letter, received from Mr W. 0. Walker, M.H. 8., was read;—“l regret I have to state that I am afraid the Minister for Public Works will not be induced to grant a foot crossing adjacent to the railway. He will communicate with you on the subject, and state that the cost of a bridge or underground passage would hardly be warranted. lam exceedingly sorry that my efforts have been unsuccessful so far as a different decision is concerned. Several accidents of a serious character in different localities have, no doubt, caused the Public Works Department to be very cautious as to additional facilities, such as we were endeavoring to obtain " The Mayor said ho had feared from the long delay in this matter, that the promise given by the Minister for Public Works during his visit to Ashburton would not be discharged. The matter should not, however, be allowed to rest, as great inconvenience was at present experienced by the public in having to go so much out of their way to cross the line. The Resident Magistrate had already pronounced against one ridiculous by-law, and it might be well to bring a test case in connection with this one. He had not yet heard from the Minister for Public .Works with regard to the matter, and suggested the Council should leave it in bis hands to deal with

Or Thomas proposed that the matter be left la the hands of the Mayor. Or Barriaon thought the Council were justified in demanding a foot crossing at Cameron street; it was monstrous to ask the public to walk 20 or 30 chains out of their way to gratify a piece of red tapiam. He seconded Cr Thomas’s proposition. After seme desultory discussion the proposition was carried. NEW MEMBER FIRE BRIGADE. On the recommendation of the Brigade, Mr W. G. Needham was appointed a member of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade. TREES. A letter was received from Mr J. Porter offering trees to the Council for planting purposes at the rate of LI per 1,000. LITIGATION. The Mayor announced that be had accepted service of summons in respect to the claim made by the owner of the horse drowned in one of the Council’s water* races. The case would be heard on Friday next. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee’s report, setting forth the work done by the labor gang during the past fortnight, was read and adopted, RESERVES. The ’Mayor reported that the reserves applied for by the Council had been granted by the Government, and that the Council had been constituted a Domain Board in respect to these reserves. OLD FIRE BRIGADE Or Harrison read a letter from the old Ashburton Fire Brigade, enclosing accounts amounting to L2 15s, owing by the Brigade before disbandment, also cash in hand to the amount of 13s 81. At the suggestion of the Mayor the matter was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee to report upon. PLANTING.

'I Or J. Orr, Chairman of the Planting j I Committee, reported that the tender of , I Stephen Curd, at 9* 6d per chain, had : I been received for fencing 10 acre reserve ’ lin river bed under the control of the ’ I Council. [ I After a conversational discussion the ’ I whole question of planting and fencing ' I reserves was referred to the Planting ' I Committee, and the names of the Mayor | I and Cr Bird were added to the Planting j I Committee. , I BETBENCHMENT. I Gr Harrison, Chairman of the Retrenoh- ' I ment Committee, reported that the Oom- ' I mittee had met, but after a lengthy exI animation of the expenditure of the I Council found they could not reduce the ' I amount by more than L 5 or LlO. It had I been strongly represented by the ChairI man of the Wongs Committee*tha s . the I works now in p ogress were cf importance I and could be effected cheaper now than lat any other season of the year. Later on J the Engineer might be employed as he I was required, but at present his services I could not be dispensed with, as the works I now being attended to could not be oarI ried out under the supervision of the foreI man of the gang. It had also been sugI gested that the duties of the poundkeeper, I inspector of nuisances and Borough ranI ger might be discharged by one officer I The Committee had decided to recopaI mend the Council to postpone the quesI tion for, say, two or three months, when I retrenchment in expenditure might be I made.—Cr Bird poiuted out the iuex- { pediency of stopping works just now, and I Cr Nelson spoke to the same effect.—Or I Thomas was confident no retrenchment I could be effected unless they stopped all I but important works. He regretted that I a suggestion he made come months ago I that direction had not been adopted. I The Borough workarwore being done in a I very satisfactory manner, but they were I not justified in doing all the work at once. The report of the Committee was adopted. jETBB BRIGADE, I Cr Thomas moved—“ That the members of the Ashburton Fire Brigade be made honorary members of the Library. ” The Mayor seconded the motion pro forma. He thought the Council, in justice to the ratepayers, could not grant the ' request. ‘ Motion negatiyed without further dis- 1 cusaion. I

On the qjotion of the Ufayor, it waa decided to provide the Fire brigade with new uniforms, and the Fire Brigade Com* mittee were deputed to consult with the Brigade with reference to the color and style of the uniforms, and call for tenders for a proper supply. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to Ll5O 17s were passed for payment, and the Council.adjourned.