ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1560, 17 May 1887, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Present— The Mayor, and Councillors Beid, Williams, M. Friedlander, Tucker Sparrow, and Harrison. , MAYOR'S BTATBMENT. The Mayor said that the debit balance at the bank was £1351 2s sd. The amounts which had been received sinoe last meeting were: — Borough seal, £1 Is; earth, 12a; Library account, £1 6s ; dogs, £1 ; rents of Reserves, £119 11s; rates, 1887, £91 ss; total, £214 15s. The amount of rates remaining uncolleoted was £213 9s. COBBESFONDENCE. Letters were read (1) from the Auokland City Counoil, asking the Council's co-opera-tion m establishing a Municipal Association for the purpose of watching over the interests of Munioipal Corporations. — The Mayor pointed out that a body of the kind had jeen m existence m Australia for years, and had been found to work exceedingly well. He was glad to see the matter was being taken up here. — Councillor Harrison thought the matter required consideration, and moved that the letter lie on the table. — After consultation Councillor Harrison amended his motion to the effect that consideration of the letter be deferred till a later stage m the evening.— Agreed to. (2) From Mr F. Mainwaring, secretary pro torn, advising the Council of the steps that had been taken m regard to the celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. (3) From the Ashburton County Counoil, forwarding resolution that had been passed by that body m regard to the maintenance of the mill race.— Letter acknowledged." 1 INSPECTOR OF WEIGHTS AND MEA'SURESt A petition was read from Mr A. Roberts and 16 others, asking the Counoil to übc its influence towards securing the appointment of an Inspector of Weights and Measures for the distriot. Application bad been made to the Inspeotor at Timaru to visit Ashburton, but he had declined to come unless a certain sum were first colleoted. — Councillor Friedlander moved thai the reqaeefc of the petitioners be acceded to. He referred to the unfair position that business people m Ashburton were now placed m, and to the dilatoriness of the authorities m replying to the petitioners .when they first addressed their request to them. He suggested that the Borough should, m conjunction with the County Council, use its influence towards scouring the appointment of an luspeotor for the whole of the Ashburton district. — Councillor Tucker seconded the motion. — Councillor Harrison strongly supported the motion, whioh was put to the meeting and oarried unanimously. engineers' report. The Engineers reported as follows : — Plantations : According to the directions of the Mayor and Cr Williamson, the trees m the North-west Belt plantation are being trimmed and thinned where necessary. — Fences m paddocks : Two small gate 3 have been placed m No.'s 2 and 3 paddocks, river bed reserve, and,two additional wires fixed (nearly completed) to tho inner plantation fences. — The labor gang have been principally engaged m maintenance work, shingling, and repairing footpaths and roadways, oloaring side channels, attending to water supply, etc, The report was adopted. HINDS RESERVE. The Reserves Committee reported having accepted the tender of Mr J, W. Sutherland for the lease df the Hinds reserve for a period of 14 years. BUILDING BYLAWS. In reply to a question, the Mayor said that the offioers of the Counoil would strictly enforce the provisions of the building bylaws, and the resolution passed by the Council a few meetings ago m regard to a certain ratepayer would not be abated. LIBRARY. Or Harrison pointed out that the repairs which had been executed to the Library, while .effective to some extent, did not entirely answer what was intended. — Cv Williamson Baid the Engineer was of opinion that the peculiar manner m which the spouting was fixed allowed rain water to make its way into the building. — The matter was, on the motion of Cr Reid, referred to the Works Committee, AN AWKWARD PLACE. Cr Reid slated that there was a very bad hole m the road past the Domain, near the engine-shed.— Referred to the Worka Committee. RAXES, Attention was drawn to the fact that the rates were coming m very slowly, and it was decided that unless ratepayers settle more rapidly the Counoil would be compelled to have recourse to legal action. MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION. The matter of the request of the Auokland City Council that the Counoil should accord its co-operaiion towards securing the formation of a Municipal Association was then considered. — It .was resolved, on the motion of Cr Williamson, to extend the Council's oooperation. — It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Williamson, seconded by Cr Harrison, that, m accordance with the request of the Auckland Council, the Mayor (Mr T. Scaly) be the Council's delegate, his expenses to be paid by the Council. FENCE. The Counoil deoided that a four rail fence should be erected round the Library reserve, the Works Committee being empowered to have the necessary work done. PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £98 19a 3d were passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.