BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1335, 7 September 1886, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the tl Ashburton Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers, Baring Squai® West, last evening. Present— 0 luncillors a Sealy (in the chair), Thomas, Reid, Cayglll, Bird and Harrison. Apologies wore received for the absence c of thojMayor and Or Craighead. 8 cuairman’s statement. ■ The Chairman stated that the debit balance at the Bank was £1196 10s Bd. The'araouuts received since last meeting were—Dog licenses, 10s ; Library account, £1 13s ; rents of reserves, £ll 13s 4i ; do Pound, £9 10s ; rates, 1885, £2 2s ; do, 1886, £55 12s ; ’otal, £Bl 0a 4d. The total amount of rates which had been collected was £9?7 10a 3d. The amount remaining uncollected was £172 6s 9i. <J )RUESrONDKN€E. Letters wore read (1) From Mr W. C Walker, M.H.R., thanking the Council for vote passed at last meeting. —(2) From Mr W. J. Steward with reference to a contract which had been made for printing Fire Brigade Rules.—The matter was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee with power to act. —(3) From the Upper Ashbui ton Road Board declining to pay accounts in connection with Quinton’s fire.—Crs Bird and Thomas having spoken, the latter moved “ That in consequence of the action of the Upper Ashburton Road Board it be notified that in

future the Brigade will not attend fires In that District Or Bird seconded.—Or Harrison deprecated hurtled action, and suggested referring the matter to the Fire Brigade Committee to enquire carefully into the circumstances.—Or Bird did not see any reason for delay. If the ratepayers outside the bolts required the Brigade’s services they should pay for them. The Council only asked a refund of actual expense incurred.—Cr Oaygill agreed with Or Thomas that the Council should put Its foot down firmly. At the same time, he also agreed with Cr Harrison’s suggestion that the larger question of the Brigade going beyond the belt should be referred to a committee to consider carefully. The Chairman recognised tl.o unfairness with which the Road Board was treating the Council, but he th nght that before taking any decided action the Board should be again asked to reconsider their decision. A similar difficulty had arisen w’th the Wakanui Road Board, but after correspondence that Board agreed to meet the Council. Or Thomas said he would withdraw his motion if the Chairman would more in the direction of his remarks. The Chairman moved to that effect.—Cr Harrison seconded. —Cr CayglU thought the Council was acting in too generous a way. The Road Board should take the consequences of its action.—After some discussion, the Chairman’s motion was put to the meeting, and carried.—(4) From the Trade and Customs Department, forwarding regulations with regard to articles which came within the provisions of the Dangerous Goods Act —(5) Circular from Mr W, Badger, with regard to Local Bodies Guido —(0) From Mr W. B. Denshire, calling the Council's a'tention to the bad condition of William and Cox streets at their junction.—Referred to the Wjrks Committee, with power to act.—(7) From the Hakatero Town Board, with reference to storm water on East Balt.—Referred to Engineer to report (8) From the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, stating that the matter of instructing the custodian to hoist the flag on meeting nights had evidently been overlooked.—After soma discussion, it was resolved that tha attention of the Brigade be c tiled to the Council’s former letter on the subj -ct, and if this be not satisfactory, that the Brigade be asked to confer with the Fire Brigade Committee of the Council on the matter.—(o) From Mr J. Tait, complaining of the state of the right-of-way near his premises.—lt was decided to notify the owners of premises ad j icent to abate the nuisance, otherwise legal proceedings will be taken

DErDTiTICN. Mr J. L. Brown waited on the Oounc with reference to a Council reserve, th lease of which he had taken. He said th rent ho was giving was excessive, and h asked for a reduction. Mr Steele waited on the Council.with aimiiar objec'. Several questions were asked by Gout clllors, and answered by Messrs Brow and Steele. The deputation then withdrew. The matter was, on the motion of C Reid, sec mded by Or Harrison, referre to the Reserves Committee to report t next meeting. ENGINEERS’ REPORT. The Engineers reported as follows Crossing In East street : The Works Com mlttee do not advise of any permanen crossings to be made at present, bu recommend be scooped an* swept when necessary. Side channels The Works Committee are of opinioi nothing eff ctual can be done excep laying the concrete channelling, but unti that be carried out they recommend tha the holes in the beds of the channels b cleaned out and filled np with shingle Instructions have been given to put in i culvert at the junction of Grlgg an< Cameron streets, and also to make gooc fencing to paddocks in river bed reserve and to put in a few gorse fascines foi protection where the river has encroached on same. The labor gang has been en gaged in planting trees in plantations, and poplar stakes at rear of Old Men’s Heme, patching footpaths and roads with shingle, pat ing in bags at head of mill race, general maintenance, attending to water supply, etc. Tha re-shingling of East street as far as authorised will bg finished t -morrow, but there are one or two

places, especially in the lower part of Bui nett street east, which we think ought to have some metal before the dry weather sets in.

f Tho report was adopted, LIBRARY. The Library Coraml'tee reported as follows Your Committee bsa the honor I to report having met and considered the various matters referred to it, and begs to recommend ag follows :— 1 lamp at street corner—That this matter be deferred till lighting arrangements for next year are made. 2 Catalogue—That 2.'0 catalogues be printed, at a coct of £ , and sold to subscribers at la each. 3. Binding Magazines—That soma of the leading magazines be bound and given out as books; the cost wiU be about 2s per volume. 4. Case for rnuaenm exhibits— Your Committee has given instructions to have a suitable cupboard made, to be placed in the reading room. The report was adopted. FIRE INSPECTOR’S REPORT, Tho Fire Inspector reported the occurrence of a fire on Acgust 26. Tho expense Incurred by the Brigade amounted to £2 14s. The amount was passed'for payment, and It was decided to apply for a refund to tho Hakatere Town Board. Does. The Chairman said ho had been asked to move that, in consequence of the great number of sheep which had been destroyed by dogs in the neighborhood of the town, the police be requsted to enforce , clause 13 of the Dog Registration Act, , which gave power for tho destruction of , all dogs found without cellars. { Cr Bird thought the dogs should be ; kept a certain length of time before being ( destroyed. Valuable animals which 1 were registered, bat which happened to be found without collars, might otherwise be destroyed.

Cr Thomas moved as aa amendment That the Inspector of Enhances be authorised to collect the dog fees till Dee. 31, that he receive a.oommiielcm of 3b per

Bad, and that all dogs unregistered shall a taken to the police, and destroyed at la end of 72 hours. Cr Reid seconded the amendment After some discussion, the motion and mendment were put as separate motions. The Chairman’s motion was carried. That moved by Cr Thomas was, on the isting vote of the Chairman, hold In beyanc i. After further dßcuasion the matter Iropped. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £77 9i XOd vore passed for payment. COMBINATION OF OFFICES. Applications for the combined offices of Poundxeeper, Ranger, and Inspector of Nuisances were opened, and after a long consideration In committee, the final selection was postponed till next meeting. The Chairman was authorised In the meant'me to make temporary arrangements for carrying on the work of the various officers concerned. The Council then adjourned