BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1264, 15 June 1886, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers, Baring square, last evening. Present—The Mayor and Crs Roberts, Williamson, Sealy, Eeid, Craighead, and Harrison.

Cr Caygill, the new-oleeted member of the Council, made the customary declaration and took Ins seat.

SIAYOK’S SXAXEiISNT. Tiie Mayor said the debit balance at the Bank was £ll'jl IDs 10d. The amounts received since las! meeting were:—Library account, Us; dog licenses, £2; licenses under bylaws, £1 iJa; licenses excise, £80; rents of reserves, £lO 12a ~,d ; nates, 1880, £l7 3s.

COSFESPONDESCE. Letters were read (1) From Railway Department, acknowledging receipt of Connoil’s letter with regard to crossings on railway line, and stating that the subject would receive consideration. ;(2) From the N.Z. Land League, Oamaru, soliciting tho Council’s support to the objects of the League—the passing of legislation for the resumption of large estates for redistribution as farms of moderate size.—lt was resolved to acknowledge the letter. (3) From the Master of the Hospital, acknowledging the receipt of periodicals lor tire use of the inmates. w From the Christchurch Drainage Board, offering for sale an iron cart which could be utilised as a water cart.—lt was resolved to reply that the Council was not in need of such a cart. (.7) - From the N.Z. Railway League, Hamilton, asking for the Council's support to the League’s proposal to obtain a thorough and impartial enquiry into the scheme of Railway Reform advanced by Mr Samuel Vaile, qf Auckland.—The Mayor explained that he had received the letter from Mr W. C. Walker, M.H.R.— It was resolved on the motion of Cr Reid, seconded by Or Roberts, that the Mayor, on behalf of Council, taflix his signature to the pctiJH. (fi) From the East and West Coast RanHf League, asking if the Council wished cny copies of the pamphlet recently issued by the League.—No action was taken. (7) From Mr T. Bullock, asking what rental the Conncil required for reserve 73, West street, for a term of 11 or 21 years.—The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee, to report at next meeting. (,9) From Mr W. B. Compton, Borough Poundkeeper, in reply to the Council’s request for an explanation of certain charges brought against him by Mra Butler in connection with the impounding of a cow belonging to the latter. The letter ■ was a lengthy one, and was in the main a denial of the charges contained m Mrs 1 Butler's letter, and a statement of what, Mr [ Compton alleged, actually took place.—The letter was received, the Council considering i the explanation satisfactory.—A motion pro- ■ posed by Cr Harrison that tho letter lie at the Council's office for Mrs Butler’s inspection was not seconded, and therefore lapsed.

i-VOISEEH’a EErOJiT. The Engineer’s report was read as follows : —Asphalt Paving : Tenders have been invited and will be laid before you this evening for prices, Ist, at which s contract may be entered into on the same basis as the late contract, and '-’rid for the immediate work in Tancred street only. Library Buildings; The Works Committee recommend that the work required to bo dona to the sonth-weat wall, namely, painting and pointing be postponed till the Spring, and that the. front gutters and drain pipes be cleared out forthwith, which latter work together with some flashing found necessary wc have had done. Outfall Drain S.E. Belt; This work is being carried on satisfactorily, though owing to the shingly ground being met with on the N.E. side of the Wakanui road we have had to make the cutting a little wider, involving rather more excavation than we contemplated. Supply of Clay and Soil; We have had several applications for clay lately. There will be none to spare on the S.E. Belt, bat there is some surplus stuff in Baring square west, that might bo disposed of if the interior of the square is to be reduced to the level of the adjacent footpaths. About iO or 50 yards are at present asked for; will tbs Council instruct us as to whether tho cloy may be taken from the square, and the price. The labor gang has been engaged at the out?all drain, repairing and cleaning rubbish from roads and footpaths, attending to water supply etc. The Works Committee resolved with respect to employment on tho labor gang that burgesses shall receive preference all other things being equal.

l.rßUiHi ECILUItmt,

The clause in the Engineer's report with regard to this matter was adopted.

The clause in the Engineer’s report in reference to day was referred to the Works Committee, ASPIIaLT. The tender of T. Andrews at 2s 2d per yard was accepted fci the work of asphalting in Tanered street. CXIAEITAELE ill>, Cr Harrison, as a member of the Charitable Aid Committee, reported that that body bad declared in favor of the Ashburton County and Borough being constituted a separate district for charitable aid. The Gonneil deferred considering the matter □util later in the evening. QUESTIONS.

A few questions wore asked by Councillors, and answered by the Mayor. C HABIT ABLE AID.

Cr Williamson again brought forward this matter. He said that he bad not heard ot any action being taken by the member for j the district towards having the Ashburton district declared a separate one for tho purpose of administering charitable aid. He had no doubt the matter was not lost sight of, bat at the same time the Christchurch Board waa moving in the matter of closer union. He moved “that Mr Walker, be written to and informed that thisConncil feels strongly the need of separation, and that he be asked if this Council could take any action which would strengthen his bands in the matter of constitutiug.Ashburton County and Borough a separate district.” Cr Harrison seconded the motion. In doing so he spoke at some length on tho matter. He referred to the recent meeting of the local Committee, at which a number of cases requiring immediate attention were brought forward, but with regard to which the Committee were powerless to act owing to the unfair system now in force. 'VBk. Crs Reid and Roberts both necessity of immediate steps being taken to secure separation.

Cr Mealy entered bis protest against tba present system being continued.

The motion was carried unanimously. On the motion xif Cr Reid, tho representatives on the local Board (the Mayor and Cr Harrison) and Or Williamson were appointed a Committee to take any action which might be necessary before the next meeting of the Council.

Cr Sealy moved that the Council communicate with the Christchurch Board expressing its dissent with the amendments that body ia bringing forward.

I The Mayor said that if ho ware not personally in attendance at the meeting of the Board ho would see that a letter to the effect of the motion proposed by Cr Sealy were written and forwarded to the Board, COJIHXTIEES. Cr Caygill was appointed a member of several Committees In place of Cr T. 'jalQ, resigned. LICENSES. A cab license was granted to J. Mcßae ; driver’s license, Harry Elliot; public buildings, Church of England School, I'AvaExis. Accounts amounting to £423 13a lid were passed for payment. BESUMXTIOX 0« ESTATES. The circular of tbo Laud League was referred to Crs Harrison. Craighead, and Caygill to report upou. The Council then adjourned,