ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1287, 13 July 1886, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers, Baring Square west last evening. Present —The Mayor and Cra Roberts. Craighead, Williamson, Bird, Harris n, Thomas, and Sealy.

M vYOR’s statement. The Mayor said the debit balance at the Bank was £1378 6a 9d. The amounts which bad been received since last meet-

iag were Library account, £1 9s ; rents of reserves, £2 ; excise licenses, £2O; rates, 1886, £8 9s; total, £3llßs There still remained over £7OO of rates to be collected, which must be considered a largo amount for the present time of year. He would move later in the meeting that unless outstanding rates be paid, action bo taken for their recovery. The books which the Library Committee had ordered on behalf of the Council were in port, and would he thought be on the shelves next week. The cottage on the Fire Brigade site had been sold, and had, to his mind, realised a satisfactory Wft fiorl nlnaatiwA in nvaaontino frt

Inguru* jjc uau iu w each councillor a copy of the West Coaet Railway League’s book recently issued. OOBEEBVOMDENCB. Letters were read—(l) From Upper Ashburton Road Board, declining to recognise the Connell's claim for Fire Brigade expenses incurred at Quinton’s fire.—lt was decided to ask the Board to reconsider their decision, the Council being of opinion that some misapprehension must have arisen(2) From Mudie’s Library, London, advising the despatch of books. (3) From the Ashburton County Council, stating that It had decided to plant willows between the railway and traffic bridges for protective purposes, but had no objection to the Borough Council planting ornamental trees there at its own cost.—Received.

(4) From Mr T. Andrews, to the effect that his tender for asphalting, which had been accepted, was not for Tancred street only, bat for a term of two years—The specifications and tender were referred to, and consideration was deferred until after the reading of the Works Committee’s report. (5) From Mr W. Lake, drawing the Council’s attention to a former letter of hia with reference to the levelling of two sections belonging to him.—The mat- | ter had been referred to the Engineer, who reported in favor of thojwork being undertaken,—lt was decided to reply to that effect to Mr Lake. At this stage Cr Reid took his seat. engineers’ report. The Engineers reported as follows ; -

Asphalting, re Mr Andrews letter : ’ hen the tenders ware invited for naphalt paving, intending contractors were requested to tender both for the work now contemplated an I for a general con Wet similar to Bradley’s, which w*s given them to peruse, and which contained both the technical and legal condi ions. After the acceptance of Mr Andrews’ tender, we Informed him we would prepare a contract which wiuld apply to the present work, and preliminary to any general contract, if decided on by the Council and drawn up by its legal advisers. Lamps : There are no lamps or lamp pos‘s in stock to replcs the one broken at the corner of Barnett and East streets. The Council have always kept some in stock in case of accidents or emergencies, but the last were used in Grigg street and the Wakanui road. The lamps have now all been repainted, and also soma of the posts which ko4 •-><-> f kaan rtainfo/1 knfnpn IVfafa) 11 r» nr

streets: Many of the streets requ’re more or loss and ho’lows, and the Works Committee suggest that two more horses and carts be hired, so that the work may bo more economically done. The labor gang have been engaged principally in widening the footpaths on the East Bel r , and in clearing oat the main ontfall drain from the outlet in the river bed to Havelock street. These works are just upon completion, and some of the man will be at liberty to attend to any planting, etc., that may be decided on. Some scooping has been done in the river, at the mill race, and other Jminor or routine matters attended to. The Works Committee recommend that a bonus of £1 10 1 be given to two of the men employed for extra work daring the foreman’s.illness. ASPHALTING. With reference to Mr Andrews’ letter on this subject It wss resolved, after considering the Engineers’ report, that as it was evident he had been under a misapprehension when tendering for the work he sboold have the option of withdrawing if he so chose.

LAMP POSTS. It was resolved to procure three lamp posts, of similar pattern to those now in use. MEXAttINO. The danse in the Engineers’ report with referenda to this matter was adopted, and it was decided to procure two teams for the space of one week to do the work necessary. BONUS.

This danse was adopted. PLANTING COMMITTEE’S KEPORT,

The Planting] Committee reported having visited the 10 acre plantation of gums, and reported that it would cost about £lo to replant with larch and pines that portion of the ground ,gn which the gums had died. Before incurring that expense, however, the Committee wished to have the opinion of the Council. The belt around the river bed reserve required filling up, and the rom-vttic suggested that in Block > -<-E. side,

facing South street, should be fenced off and planted, and on the terrace facing the road to the river pines should be planted ; below that, on the river frontage, poplars and willows.

Or Soaly detailed what was necessary to be done in the plantation, and said that if the Council decided to undertake the work the Council's, men could carry it out.

On the motion of Cr Williamson, seconded by Cr Thomas, the report was adopted. rOTTNDKBEPHR. Cr Roberts asked what amount ot money had been received from the present poundkeeper since he had taken the pound. The Msyor said the sum of £lO was due. The ponndkeaper had several times promised to pay the amount, bet he had not as yet done so. The natter was left in the hands of the Mayor to deal with. PUMP. Cr Sealy asked if the pump forFUing the water cart was yet in order. The Mayer aald the . P um P WM ready for use as soon as requited. OUTSTANDING EATSS. The Mayor moved—“ That notification be made that unless all outstanding rates be paid by the 26th last, they be sued for without further notice."—Carried. Instructions were given to the Clerk with reference to issue of summonses. CONGRATULATORY, In reference to the book issued by the West Coast Railway League with which the Mayor had presented each Councillor, Cr Williamson, in an appropriate speech, proposed a motion expressing the thanks of the Council. # ; Cr Thomas seconded the motion, which ( was carried nnanimonsly.

PAYMENTS Accounts amounting to £134 9a Id were passed for payment. In reply to Or Thomas, the Mayor said that after the work of gravelling, which it had been decided to undertake, was completed, the amount of the pay.shept would be very materially reduced. The Council then adjourned.