Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting was held last evening. Present: The Mayor and Oonnclllora Williamson, Tucker, Roberts, Scaly, Hold, Scott, and Thomas. mayor's statement, The Mayor eaid that she debit balance at the BaDk was £1613 4a 7d. The amounts which had baen received sinoa , !a*t meeting were :— Earth 5i ; Horary account, 8a ; Culverts, 12 1 6d [ ; horee sold, £21 j Fire Brigade refund, Upper Aahburton Road Board, £7 123 ; Canter, i bury Fire Inanrance, JE49 19;) ; pipeg sold, £7 9s 9d ; licenses, keroaone. £2 licenses, dog, £3 103 ; water supply, £2; renta reserves, £10 10a; rates 1887, £9 19a 7d ; rates on Government property, £31 10a. Total, £138 15a lOd, The amount of ratea remaining ancsHeoted was £25 19i 6d. — The A88683---ment Court had held a Bitting since last meeting and a total of £51 had been allowed to objectors leaving the valuation roll at £18,451. No Order la Ooanoil as to the adoption of the Pablo Bodies Powers Aot by the Council had yet been gazatted. CORRESPONDENCE. Letter 3 were read — (1) From Or R, Frledland, resigning his Beat on the Ooancll. — Resignation accepted, and the Clerk Instructed to take the necessary steps to fill the vacancy. (2) Fro en Assistant Railway Engineer asking for quotation for iron pipes. — 1 prioe had been quoted, bat no reply had as yet been received. — Or Roberts wanted to know if the Council had an unlimited supply of pipes. —The Mayor said that he had ascertained that the Engineer had put by 100 lengths for the Council's requirements, but at the same time it would be well for the Works Committee to consider whether it would not be well to Btop the sale of any more pipes, — The Clerk Bald the Engineer had informed him that there were 225 lengths of pipes atlll m stock, over and above tbe number that would be required by the Council. (3) From tho Borough Engineer asking the Council to take into consideration the question of some remone atioo for a great deal of work done by him for the Council, outside tbe proper sphere ef his duties. — After an irregular discussion the muter waß relegated to a committee consisting of the Mayor and Cra Seaty, S. Frledlaoder, Williamson and Thomas. Ora Tucker and Scott voted against the proposal. (4) From the County Council asking for Oouno l'fl share of cost of certain repairs to the Traffic B-idge (5) From Mr T, Bullock enclosing aco mot saleß m con. neotion with sale of horses. (6) from Mr H. W. Jones re Merrywether's Steam Fire Engine, enumerating advantages possessed by the firm's eDginea. In proof of hia confidence m the engine he offered to bring one to Ashburton, either for trial or for onrnpetitlon against engine by any other maker. If the engiue was not selected the Oouncil would be pat to no expense whatever. The cost of the engine,' I together with suction hose and 1000 feet delivery hose, was £500. — The Mayor recounted an interview he had with Mr Jones, who is the engineer of the lovercargill Fire Brigade. An important feature the engine possessed was that it could be utilised with equal advantage,-

with Any water supply from 50 gallons to 360 gallons. Many other advantages were claimed for the engine, which it was said other engines did not poseas. — Oa the motion of Or Scaly It was resolved to inform Mr Jones that his letter would be taken into consideration, when the question of procuring a stesm fire eoglue came before the Council, the matter not having been settled as yet. (7) From the Hampatead Town Board stating that an account for expenses incurred at a fire had been deferred till the next meeting of the Board. (8) From Mr J. Tasker offering to rent reserve recently occupied by A. SpHlard, at 5s a week for three years, — Resolved that the offer be accepted provided the applicant paid rates, taxes, and. insurance. (9) From Mr T. Sleeman requesting permission, to barn rubbish oa hia section. — Granted, subject to the usual conditions, ENGINEERS' REPORT.

The Engineers reported aa follows : — Hampstead water supply : The Engineer to the County Council has informed us that the plan suggested by the Borough Council of delivering the water has been adopted, and that a sum of £20 will be contributed towards the cost of taking a supply from the Domain reservoir for delivery at the junction of the Wakanul road and the South East Town Bait. We have before reported that it would be necessary to Inoreaae the amount of water taken aoroaa the railway, both on account

of this work and In view of the purchase of a steam fire engine, and If inßtrnoted we will prepare a plan and estimate of cost for your consideration, — With

referenoe t o Ah Kin's application for a water supply from raoe m Winter's ro«d, the Engineers reported that the water was required for a market garden, whloh was contrary to the prinoiple laid down by the Council on o former occasion, — Some

few weeks ago the owner of a seotion m Wills street laid some pipes under the fuotpath adjoining the aeotlon, and by damming the side ohannel led the water into hie gardan, The Engineers gave him verbal notice and aftar a written notfoe to remove the pipes, whloh he refused to do, acting under instructions from the Chairman of the Worka Committee, they coDeulted the Borough aolloUor who adviaed laying an Information.

The foregoing report was sen^. m, a fortnight ago, bat tho meeting of the 0 'Unell to have been held then lapsed. Another report h<»d smoe been ro:eived as follows ;— Hampstoad Water Supply : The Work 9 Committee went into some details and estimates that are had prepared, but as there had been no formal comrnunica lou from the County Council Qr Town Board full discussion was adjourned — Tampering with the Water Supply: The Foreman by our instructions hus removed the pipes that had been placed across the footpath mWi Is street. The question re further action for trespass under the Bylaws awaits the Council's decision.— Appropriation tor Works, 1888-9 : Tt wH be necessary that an estimate of proposed works, eto, bB drawn up, preparatory to striking a rate for the year. Ah Kin's application was referred to the Works Committee. Some discussion took place m regard tq tampering with the water supply, ft was decided to take no further action m the present case. The Workß Committee were instructed to prepare an estimate of works for the yoay, FII^ES. The Secretary of the Fire Brigade reported that two fires had occurred dqring the month. Accounts for expenses were forwarded. CONDOLENCE. Or Thomas apologised for the absenca of Or Hugo Friedlander. The Mayor said that he had no doubt the Council would be unanimously with him when he expressed big regret at the bereavement their fellow Councillor had undergone. He moved, <' That the deepest sympathies of the Council be conveyed to Cr Hugo Friedlander m hia great Ioob," Cr Williamson seoonded the motion, which was unanimously passed. RATE, It was decided to give notice of the Council's intention to strike a rate, OFFICIALS, After a great deal of discussion a Committee was appointed to draw up a schedule of duties for the recently constituted offices of Town Clerk; $nd Engineer,

COMMITTEE?

Pursuant to no'ice Or Thomas moved": "That it be a iule of ihis Council for the future that no Committee bo appointed to bring up reports, containing a majority of the Council, because snch appointment simply means gagging the Council and compelling it to pass whatever recommendation the said Committee may bring m." Cr Thomas, m speaking to his motion, said that be did not require to point out that any body of councillors strongly interested m carrying any particular matter had only to secure a majority of a large Committee. The recommendations of a Committee were eupposed to be unanimous, and the majority on the Committee it appeared to him were considered &b being bound to sink their objections and support the report of the Committee m the Council They were told that large Committees were appointed on account of the information that could be gained, but there might be other reasons as well. Or Scott Beconded the motion, with whloh he entirely egreed. Or Williamson did not think It wise to tie up the Council ip the way proposed by the motion. Cr Thomas had said that the report of a Committee was supposed to be unanimous, but the members who did not agree with the report were quite at liberty to oppose It In the Council. They had had examples of members of a Co turn ttee opposing a report and he thought the motion was unnecessary.

Or Roberta would also oppose the motion. His views coincided with those expressed by Or Williamson,

Cr Scaly stated his intention of oppos ing the motion. Very of tenths whole Qouu ell acted as a Committee bat this could not be always the case on acoonnt of the difficulty of securing the attendance of all members. He thought a large Oommlttee was an advantage rather than otherwise on account of the facilities B'tnauy oounoillora woald have of beootnIng thoroughly acquainted With the matter under review. Ie dtd'nt follow that becsuae a councillor was a member of » Committee that he was bound to agree , with the report brought In. Cr Reid expressed similar sentiments. Or Thomas In replying, took exception to what the previous Councillor Bald At a meeting of the Fire Brigade 0 >mmittee,

an a ti < c when, he believed, Ur R

Friedlander was Mayor, fonr of the members of the Committee were for a certain report and he (Or Thomas) was against it. It was then said that It would look better if they were unanimous, but now Or Reid thought that a member was not bound to agree with his colleagues His (Or Thomas' experience during thr time he had been on the C mnoii was tha* a Committee was supposed to be omni mous, and that a minority had to sink itviews. That was his experience. He might ba wrong, but if bo he had been Informed wrongly. It had been said that the whole Council sometimes acted io Committee, bat that was not m ordinary Committee . work, but only when they did

n"t wish a particular matter reported. Il

would be better if the Council did under take some Committee work Instead of rele

gating it to a certain section of the Councillors 9e did not wish to say nasty things, but public bodies were apt to run m cliques, though he did not say the Council was. Supposing blx Councillors were appointed on a Committee. Four might be foe a certain proceeding and two against ; the minority would have to give way, thus making six m favor of a certain lino of action, a m»j >rlty of the whole Council. T-at was his objection to the present state of things. Cr Reid asked to make an explanation

as his name had been referred to by Or Thomas. Ho did not remember Baying that It looked bad If the Committee were not unanimous, but even if he did, he did not think that Or Thomas should take him as an authority, seeing that he was a young member of the Council, Or Reid ravilic*«*;ffpla{nfld fcha natnrA of the.rHpnri that waa under the consideration of th(> 0 immittee at the time referred to by Or Thomas. The motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. TIRE BRIGADE.

Or Soott brought np the matter of the site of the Fire Brigade Station. He said that when a fire ocourred the Brigade often had to send to the bell to ascertain the whereabouts of the fire, Hither the bell should be removed to the Bite of the Btatlon or vice verm. Or Williamton moved thai; the matter be referred to the Fira Brigade Committee. He understood that the bell would have been shifted long ago, only that the Brigade were m favor of It remaining where It is. Or Thomas said that If he remembered rightly the reason why the bell was not shifted was because the committee reported that the removal would ba too oostly, and that a new derriok would be required, Or Reid thought that before the matter was considered by the committee it would be well to know the opinion of the Brigade. Or Soott said that there was only one opinion among the Brigade. The present station was m a hole whereas the former site «vas In the best that oould be obtained. Or Roberts aßked If It woald do if another bell were set up at the station, leaving the present one where It now is. He did not think a bell woald ba very qoatly. Or Williamson suggested that the difficulty might; be met by only paying the uiver of an alarm If he went to the Brigade nation after ringing the bell, m order to give information where the fire was.

Or Scaly hoped that the question of site would not he reopened beoauae if it ware it wo ald only brint; about the same diffioalty they had to contend with onoa before He thought that the question of site had been fixed onoe and for all by the C mnoil some Mnia ago. If the bell were the only difficulty then let them do something with It. Or Williamson said that he did not msan that hia motion should be taken as having aoy reference to the cite of the station. Or Thomas Bald that the CoanoU'a finauclea .would not permit of the station being removed. Or Tucker Bald that Qr Soott had stated that the present aita was moat inconvenient. If that was bo there was no reason, except perhaps that of expense why tha station should not be removed. Or Wllliamaon'a motion was carried, A CITIO VISIT.

Or Thomas moved that the Mayor and \ Or Scnly visit the Fire Brigade, at the) latter'a next practloe. He said that visits such aa these would result m much benefit* Some time ago the Council deputed two of its member! to attend a Brigade praotioe bat the Oounoillora failed to do bo, and the Brigade felt somewhat sore m consequence. Or Scott said that the Brigade would be glad to see the Councillors at any of the praotlcGß Or Sdaly explained that it was impossible for him to have attended the former praotiae. The motion was !oa K . Or Williamson expressed his pleasure at the result He thought Bach a motion was ridiculous because he was sure the Brigade would be glad to see any of the Councillors at any practice. MISCELLANEOUS. A quantity of other business was transacted, acoounts were passed for [•jment and the Ootmoil adjourned.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18880306.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1782, 6 March 1888, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,487

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1782, 6 March 1888, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1782, 6 March 1888, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert