ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1340, 1 December 1885, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Ora Williamson, Sealy, Bird, Roberts, Harrison, Thomas, and Quil 1 . ■ mayor’s statement. ' ' */.•/? The Mayor said the Bank ovord aft was LI ,323 19s. The amounts received since last meeting were—Earth, Is ; proprietor of Canterbury Mills,' L 22 130 10d f rents of reserves, L 22 2s 5d ; rates, 1885, Ll 3 3a ; Library, LI 6a—total, L 59 8s 2d. The rates for 1885 remaining onpaid amounted to L 64 2s. The Mayor reported business done at the first meet ing of the North Canterbury and Ashburton Charitable Aid Board. Ha was sorry there were not more of the Ashburton members present at that meeting. Their small representation had prevented the best possible arrangement for the County being made, but the one entered upon was only for six months, and at the end of that period it could be re-considered. He had receive the resignation of Or Orr, that gentleman having resigned to avoid the penalties provided by the Local Bodies’ Contractors Act.—The Mayor referred briefly to th“ correspondence to be placed before the Oonncil. CORRESPONDENCE.

' The following correspondence was read : —(1) From Railway Engineer, stating that a sample of the water alleged to have been polluted by the railway drainage bad been submitted to Professor 'Bickerton for analysis, and that gentleman had reported that the water was free from any pollution of the character alleged.—The Clerk was directed to communicate the tenor of the letter to the person who had reported the matter to the Council. (2) From the Ashburton Jonnty Council stating that the Council had appointed a Bridge Committee to confer with the Borough Council in respect to the maintenance and control of tba bridge.—The Mayor thought the Borough, being merely a contributor towards the cost of oonstruoton the control might be left in the hands of the County Council.—Or Williamson moved in the direction suggested by the Mayor.—Crs Roberts, Bird, and Thomas thought it would be better to appoint a Committee.—Or Sealy moved ihat a Committee, consisting of th» Mayor and Cr Williamson be appointed to confer with the Bridge Committee of the County Council in respect to the main,;. tenanoe and control of the bridge.—Cr Thomas seconded the motion proposed by Cr Sealy, and Cr Harrison second the motion proposed by Or Williamson.— After a desultory discussion the latter motion; was withdrawn, and that moved by Cr Williamson carried unanimously. —(3) From the Secretary of the North Canterbury and Ashburton Charitable Aid Board, applying for L 67 3s 5d the Oouqoil’s contribution towards charitable ajd* expenditure of the district. —(4) Fjpom. Mr John Orr resigning his seat on;tl»e Council.-The resignation was. accepted with, an expression of , regret, and tae Reiqrmijg OQjcer iuetrUcteq to qnqagti

for the election to fill the vacancy —(6) From Mr 8. Elliot, the ponndkeeper, applying for certain repairs to the pound fences.—Cr Bird, Chairmen of the Works Committee, reported that the repairs being much required they had been pat in hand by the Committee.—The action of the Works Committee was approved of (6) from the Borough Engineer acknowledging receipt of notice terminating hit engagement with the Council, and ex* pressing bis readiness to make other ar rangements BVGINBBBS’ KKFO The Engineer's report was read aa follows:—Aster from streets in eastern quarter of town. —Be application from the Wakanni Road Board, we presume tost this matter should be reported ou, although it haa not been formally referred to na by the Council, and we have accordingly examined it. The water from all the streets east of Peter street, including

parts of the North-East and Sonth*Baat t elts, haa for the last fire years been taken into an old gravel pit on the north-west side of Smith’s road, which runs northeasterly in continuation of. the S.B. town belt. The Only way of disposing of the water along this road would be by turning into a gaily on private property between the town belt and the Wakanui creek, as there is not sufficient fall from the belt to the creek itself. This plan would involve a good deal of cutting and filling along the side of the road, bat we have not thought It necessary to take detailed levels, as 1 there wobld be suffinent

objection m the fast of the gaily being private property. To take the water down the road that rnns south-easterly in continuation of the N. E. belt, it woald reqiore a ditch nearly 4ft i«ep along the aide of the road for tome chains at the upper end near the belt, a shallower ditch would than conduct the water to the Wakanui road, and finally into one of the County Council water races. An alternative, and we consider preferable plan, though more expensive, would be to lay down the Council's 12m iron - pipes in continuation of the outfall drain from Havelock street to the junction of (he North East and South-East belts. We have not worked this out as to details or cost, bn. we believe that it might be planued so aa to be sufficient for the Borough’s requirements for the conveyance of waste water for the next 20 years. If desired, we will make a detailed report and estimate on the aoheme for the next meeting of the Council.—The labor gang has been engaged in putting in sump in Ker anode street, forming East street and the NorthEast belt, making and fixing culverts, clearing out aide channels, attending to water supply, etc. The Engineer was requested to report in detail upon the aoheme of drainage referred to in the first clause of hie report.—The balance of the report was adopted

INSPECTOR OF Nuisances The Inspector of Nuisances submitted a report with regard to licensed houses and other matters. —The report was adopted.

▼OLUNTBBB FI KB BRIGADE. A letter waa read from the Secretary of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, enclosing the following resolutions, in reference to the proposed change of station rite, adopted by the Brigade “ That in the opinion of this meeting the present rite is more for Brigade purposes than the proposed site, for the following reasons : (I) The present site being about 20fc higher than the proposed site, possesses greater advantage for tanning the engine to any part of the Borough. The bell also can be heard mach farther. (2) The present site being at the junction of aix roads, possesses- greater advantage foe getting the engine- away quickly !in any direction. (3) The present rite is nearer the main street, and more central. The town is growing miacly in .an eastern direction, and in a short time the present site ptfemiaes to be aa central as can be obtained. (4) The proposed placing the meeting room in the caretaker's quarters would be uncomfortable for both parties. (6) The present site, while affording a most central situation for Brigade purposes. is not likeiy to be required for other purposes, nor are the Council likely to be deprived of any considerable revenue by its being need as a Brigade Station. (6) Foe the above reasons the present aite would better repay the expenditure of money than the proposed site. - To pro-

vide the requisite aooomiuodation m-the proposed sue, it would be necessary to carry out toe following works :—(a) Alter* <*cious to house to provide ar least three rooms for caretaker, and meeting room as large as at present for brigade ; (6) alterations to shed so that doors would open on to street, alteration to gateway ; (c) erection of new bell tower 30ft higher than at present, so as to bring bell on same level.”—“ln the opinion of the Brigade, the same amount of money necessary to carry out these works would, if spent on the present site, go far towards providing the brigade with all the accommodation they require.” The Mayor suggested that the matter should be referred to the Fife Brigade Committee to report upon. On the motion of Or Besdy, eecondod by Or Bird, it -was resolved to refer the * matter to the Fire Brigade Committee.,

nan The Captain of the Volunteer Fire Brigade reported upon fire meat Gasworks, which took plane on November 14, anti enclosed account of expenditure in respect to the seme. , ELECTORAL. Ihe Returning Officer reported tha election of Mr B. Friedlander as. Mayor, and Mr 0. Reid as a Oonnoillur. EHROTHO RDEBBSH. Permission was granted to Mr A. Harrison to bum rubbish on bis town section. tenders The following tenders wars accepted r Compilament of Borough Bata 8011, Fooks and bon, L2O; supply of dog collars, J. Heaeltiue, 200 at lid ; scavenging, Crum and Addis. SAT SABVfiST. The Works Committee was instructed to have grass in Baring Square and in plantations mown. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Cr Thomas called attention to the balloting at municipal elections. He said the numbers placed on the ballot papers were exposed. After reference io the Act, it was agreed that the Reluming Officer had • conducted the election strictly in accordance with the provisions of the measure. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to LlO7 2s 6d were passed for payment. NOTICE 07 MOTION.

Cr Quill gave notice that at next meat* iog he would move—“ That the advisable* ness of farming a paid Fire Brigade, to consist of not more than fifteen members, be considered. ” ADCCODRSMENT. The Council then adjourned until Monday, December 14.