ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1584, 14 June 1887, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Oounoll was held last evening. Present — Hlb Worship the Mayor (Mr Scaly), and Ora H. Friedlander, D. Thomas, A. Harrison, K. Friedlander, W. Sparrow, J. Tucker, D. Williamson, and U. Reid. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRES?ONDJtNCR. The following'corralkondence was read, and dealt with as stated:— From the Clerk to the Hampatead Town Board, asking when a deputation from that body could be received . The Mayor said the letter bad been replied to — From Mr W. 0. Walker, M.H.K., re visit oflospeotor of Weights and Measures, Received.— From the Fire Brigade Aasoolation, forwarding the annual subscription of £40, and pointing out that an important town like Ashhnrton should be provided with a a l eaoa fire engine. Or H. Friedlander said tne latter was the outoaio of a recent visit of his to Mr Barns, Seoretary to the Aia 1 jclulon. Resolved that the Association be informed tbat the suggestion is being considered by the Council.— From MrJ. Qrlgg, ra trespass of sheep on Connoil'a reservs, and fageefctlng thufc he rud given bo rnaou trouble. Mr Grlgg expressed his willingness to pay a certain amount of compensation to Mr Sutherland. Consideration deferred.— From Mr J. W. Sutherland, In reference to takiug up the lease of a Borough reserve. Consideration deferred. — Trom the Secretary to the Jubilee Committee, asking permission for the bonfire, proposed to ba held on the 21st. Granted. Permission was also granted to the Fire Brigades to use their plant. on the day named. POTJNDKEBPBR. Mr Smith Interviewed the Council In reference to charges levied by the Borough Poundkeeper, whloh he considered exhorbltant, r The Mayor pointed ont tbat Mr Smith hal his remedy at law. If the pouudkejper charged too much, he could be puoiahed through the Court. Or Williamson thought the system of interviewing this way was very Irregular (Hear, hear.) Mr Smith then retired, remarking as he did so that it appeared to him the Ranger could do as he liked. HAMPSTBAD ToWtf BOARD. A deputation from the Hampitead Town Board waited on the Council m refefenoa to the systgrn of managing the dividing roads, charges for services of Fire Brigade, and permission to divert certain water channels. Me Mayo spoke on behalf of the deputtktlon, and explained that the Board wished to have oontrpl of the footpaths ] and channels on the Board's side of the dividing line. The Board would pay the coat, and carry out the work under the supervision of the Borough Engineer. ' t Or R. Friedlander remarked tba*: the 3 k supply of water was a matter on whloh ) the Engineer should be asked to report ; i In reference to the matter of maintenance s of boundaries, the Oounoil should carefully consider it before deciding. Or Thomas, as far as he could see, 9 considered the Board were simply asking 8 permission to use water that was going to 1 waste. , Mr G. W, Andrewe, another 'member

of the deputation, urged that some settlement should bo come to In regard to the maintenance oi the Bait.

Or H. Friedlander doubted the power of the Council to hand over the control of the footpath to the Board ; with respect to the application to use the water from the side-channels, he could seb no objeotlon. (Sear, hear.) Or Harrison hoped the Cjuuoll would endeavor to meet the views of the depu tatloo.

Or Williamson suggested that the opinion of the Engineer should be asked at once. With regard to tho state of tho Belt, he pointed out that It was simply want of fanda that prevented the proper repairing of the Belt some time ago. The Engineer explained that the whole matter was one of concentrating the water sufficient to flush the outfall drain. The Mayor said the Council wonld carefully consider the question and do what laid In their power to assist the Town Board. Mr Mayo having thanked the Council for a V3ry courteous reception, vhe deputation withdrew. QUBBN'S jrjBILEB.

Mr Doyle interviewed the Oounoll m reference to supply of illuminated designs for the Jubilee^ 9 The Mayor doubted the power of the Council to spend money m this direction. Or Williamson hoped the Council would show the citizens a good example by illuminating the Library. (Hear, hear.) Or Friedlander moved. Cc Williamson seconded, and it was resolved—' 4 That the Library be illuminated on tho occasion of the Queen's Jubilee, and that the matter be left m the hands of the Works Committee. ESCSTNBEBS' EEPORX. The Engineers reported as under : — Council Chamber : Acoording to instructions we obtained three tenders for fixing the partition m the Council room, and accepted that of Meßßrs Barnes and Smith, tho loweßt, at £5 10a, who have since completed the work. — Metalling : Tenders have been oalled for the supply of 800 yards of shingle ; five have been received, and will be laid before you for your decision to-night. — The Labar Gang : Has been employed principally -ia forma* tlon and making good m William (street, AUken street and the North-east Belt, preparing holes for trees In the river plantations, completing brush wood groins for river protection, clearing side channels, attending to water supply, etc The report was adopted. STEAM FIRE ENGINE, Councillor H. Friedlander moved, In aoeordance with notice given — " That the qoootlon of procuring a steam fire engtae for the Borough be now considered."; The mover referred to the question of subsidy from the Fire Insurance Assoolatlon, which he stated would probably be ! withdrawn If the Oounoll decided not to purchase a steam fire engine. He was also Informed that In addition to the withdrawal of the subsidy m the event of non-compliance, the Association would have to increase the 25 per cent now allowed on premiums. Councillor Friedlander spoke strongly ia favor of procuring an engine, acd moved In that direction. Councillor Williamson ohjpoted to the resolution ; Councillor Friedlander could only amend or alter his resolution by leave of the Council, Councillor H. Friedlander, m reply to a question, sMd an engine whloh would throw 150 gallons a minute would cost abont £500 or £600. Councillor Thouatt cuar&cterUed each an engine as " a penny squirt." On a dlviolon it *a* resolved, by 5 to 1 4,. to allow Councillor Friedlander to ! amend his motion, so as to read " the Oounoil to procure a steam fire engine of the most approved make." Councillor Tucker seconded the motion, and In doing so pointed out tbat the engine now used could be sold for abont £150.

Councilor WHlUmooa wanted to know where the money iraa to oome from, the revenue for the year having been allocated.

Councillor Thomas proposed as an amendment that the question of prooarlng a steam fire engine be referred to the ratepayers for decision. In reply to Councillor R. Friedlander, the Mayor ruled the amendment m order;

Councillor Thomas Added that a poll of the ratepayers be taken as to whethor a atoam engine should bo procured by mean's of a special rate oc gtb«cwiag.

Oounoillor Harrison seconded the motion pro forma. Oounoillor Williamson said he would second it " right out," and> objected to such a half-hearted way of seconding a moiioD.

After «> rather warm .passage of umi between Councillors Williamson and Harrison, during which the latter objeoted to being " insulted by a man old enough to be bis father," and Oounoillor Williamson had calied his via avis " thin skinned," Oounoillor Williamson spoke at some length m favor of the amendment.

Oounoillor B, Frledlander and Oounoillor Harrison supported the proposal to seonre a steam fire engine, both Councillorn at the same time being m favor of consulting the ratepayers. Councillor R, Friedlander added that m his opinion the amendment should have been taken as a substantive motion.

Oounoillor Reid supported Councillor Thomas' amendment.

The Mayor also supported the amend* ment, and m doing so pointed out that there was no guarantee of a saving of £750 a year m the event of obtaining a steam fire engine. He would like to sec a steam fire engine m the place, but thought the Vite Insurance Association should be called on to pay their fair chare toward the cost, remembering their risk. Mr D. H. Browa informed the Oeunoil that he was authorised to otate that Mr 0. W, Turner would give £25 towards the oost of a steam fire engine, although he was outside the Borough. After Councillor H. Fiiedlander had replied m a lengthy speech, Councillor Thomas' amendment, that the matter be referred to the ratepayers, was carried by 5 to 3.

Councillor H. Frledlander desired to explain that he waa In no way opposed to the subject being decided by the ratepayers. Oounoillor R. Frledlander made a similar explanation. On the motion of Councillor H. Frledlander it was resolved that a poll of the ratepayers be taken on the subjeot, and that a public meeting be called to discuss it. A. vote of thanks was passed to Ojunolllor H. Frledlander for the trouble taken by him m Ohrlstohuroh In this matter, ' JUBILEE HOLIDAYS. It waa unanimously resolved— " That the Mayor be requested to proclaim the 20th and 21-st poblio holidays la honor of tho Queen's Jubilee. THE HAMPSTEAD DEPUTATION. The qaeatioa spoken of by the deputation from the Hampstead Town Board were referred to the Works Committee, to report at next meeting. VBW BUSINESS. On the motion of Oounoillor Williamson It was resolved—" That no deputation be received by the Council of which notice has not been given m writing, stating the matter to be dealt with." TENDERS. The tender of P, Clifford for shingling at 11 was accepted. ACOOUOT3. Accounts to the amount of £55 2« lOd were passed for payment and the Council then adjourned,