BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1276, 29 June 1886, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council's Chambers, Baring Square West, last evening. Present—The Mayer, and Crs Thomas, Beid, Harrison, Bird, Craighead, Sealy, Williamson and Cayglll.

M iTOR’s’sTATE.MENT, The Mayor said the debit balance at the Bank was £1340 5a 4d. The amounts received since last meeting ware ; Library account, £1 ; dog licenses, £1 10s ; rents of reserves, £l4 8s 4d ; excise licenses, £220 ; rates, 1885, £L 10a ; do, 1886, £9 12s 6d ; total, £248 0a lOd.

CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read—(l) From Mr W. 0. Walker, M.H.R., acknowledg : ng receipt of petition from the Council with regard to the constitution of a separate Onaritable Aid district. (2) From the Minister of Public Works, stating that crossings, not be authorised ever the railway line at Moore street and Cameron street.—lt was mentioned that tbs Minister for Public Works when in Ashburton had distinctly promised the crossing‘at Cameron street, and after a short discussion, Cr Reid moved—“ That the Minister for Public Works be again wiitten to, and hie attention drawn to the fact that the crossings had been promised; also, that a petition with reference to the m itter be prepared for signatures.” Cr Harrison seconded the motion, which was carried. (3) From Mr G. H. SS Hill, applying for permission to transfer the lease of a Borough reserve.—The requisite permission was granted.—Other unimportant correspondence was read. engineers’ report.

The Engineers reported as follows : | Outfall drain extension : The excavation and pipe-laying are completed . the sumps will take a few days longer. There will be a day or two'slwork in clearing up, and we would ask if the Council will have the footpaths between Havelock street and the Wakanni road that were formed tOft wide made the full width of 16ft, as the channel sumps are now placed for that width. Asphalt contract; The Works Committee would refer the tenders for asphalting again to the Council, as one of the tenderers had corrected a mistake in one part of his tender. Olay, Baring Square : The Works Committee fixed the price at 6 i *per yard, those who require It to fetch it at their own expense. Planting : We would request that the question of making good the failures of the previous year's planting be considered. There are’not sufficient blue gums alive to keep as a plantation on the 10*aore reserve, and many of the pines have died off. The labor gang has been engaged at the outfall drain, repairing roads and footpaths, clearing away rubbish, and attending- to water supply. Most of the men will be discharged unless the Connell determines on carrying out any further work. FOOTPATHS, BAST BELT The’clause in the Engineers' report with reference to this matter was adopted. ASPHALT TENDERS. With regard to this matter, referred io in clause 2 cf the Engineer's report, the Council decided it could not re open the question, as a tender had already been accepted. WAGES It was decided to pay the Connell's foreman, who has recently been indisposed, half wage’ -for the time he has been ill. PLANTATION. The clause in tho Engineers’ report with reference to this matter was referred to the Planting Committee, who were also requested to report upon the subject of plantations generally. ■FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The Fire Brigade Committee reported Laving considered the request of the Fire

Brigade that the custodian be authorised to hoist the flag for meetings, and recommended that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Brigade stating that the Council thinks it preferable for this matter to be entirely in the hands of the Brigade. The Committee! recommended that the Council should take immediate steps to sell the cottage on the site lately occupied by the Brigade, the same to be removed when sold. The caps for the Brigade had come to band, and had been delivered to the members. The report was adopted, and the matter of the sate of the cottage on the site lately occupied by the Brigade was left in the hands of the Mayor. RKSBBVES COMMITTEE, A report from the Reserves Committee was considered In Committee. FIRE BRIGADE UNIFORMS,

On the motion of Or Sealy, it was decided to refer the matter of procnring distinguishing caps for the officers of the Fire Brigade to the Fire Brigade Committee with power to act.

CHARITABLE AID. It was decided to wire to Mr Walker, M. H R , asking him if it would strengthen his hands in moving for the separation of Ashburton County and Borough from the North Canterbury Charitable Aid Board if a petition werp drawn up and duly signed. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £lB2 9a lid were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.