ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1924, 21 August 1888, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Gounoil was held last evening. Present — The Mayor, and Orß Williamson, H. Friedlander, Roberts, and Reid. mayor's statement. The Mayor said that the debit balance at the Bank was £1261 13s 4d. The amounts whioh had been received since last meeting were :— Lioenses, dogs, £3; water supply, refund Canterbury mill, £45 163; Library, 7s; rents Reserves, £11 10s; rates, 1888, £105 15s ; subscriptions for steam fire engine, per Cr A. Roberts, £130 2s 6d ; Postmaster. General, fines, etc., £11 7s; total, £307 17s 6d. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read (1) From County Counoil, enclosing copy of resolution passed at Conferenoe re olearing of "Wakanui Greek.—Reoeived." (2) Prom Mr J. W.Sutherland, drawing attention to loss sustained by him m connection with Borough Reserve at Hinds, rented by him. He asked the Oounoil to make him some allowance for his loss. — The letter was referred to the Reduotion of Rents Committee to report.— (3) From Upper Upper Ashburton Road Board, requesting payment of rates on Borough Reserve m the road distriot. It appeared that a portion of the rates were owing by the Oounoil and a portion by the tenant. — The matter was left m the hands of the Mayor.— (4) From Mr J. Hefford, oflering to re-lease certain Borough Reserves.— It wbb decided to reply that unless applioant offered former rent, tenders would be called for.— (s) From Paymaster- General, forwarding cheque for fines, etc— (6) From Mr J. G. Duncan, m referenoe to the liability of a olient for rents to Borough. Mr Duncan offered, subjeot to certain conditions and deductions, to pay to the Council, towards liquidating the liability, any sum that might be received m the way of rent from Bub-tenanta. — It was resolved to inform Mr Duncan that the amount must be paid forthwith, otherwise the Counoil would foreoloae. — (7) From Building Sooiety, asking for further reductions m. rent of certain reserves held by the Sooiety. — It was deoided, after discussion, to inform the Building Sooiety that the Oounoil did not Bee its way to make any reductions beyond those already intimated. — (8) From Western Fire Brigade, pointing out that the Brigade incurred other neoessary expenses beyond those incurred at fires. — Or Williamson moved that the matter be deferred till next meeting, there being only a bare quorum present. — Or Reid moved as amendment that the matter be referred to the Fire Brigade Committee. The amendment lapsed. — (9) From Mr J. Scaly, applying for new lease, containing compensation olause, for reserve held by him.— Raforred to Re. serves Committee.— (lo) From N..Z.L and MA. Company, asking that the inoreaße m rent of reserve occupied by the Company, be foregone similar to the concession granted to other tenants. — The Reduotion of Rents Committee had recommended that no reduction be made.— Cr H. Friedlander deolined to vote m the matter, stating that he had been almost charged by one of the Company's officers with a personal interest m this particular oase. — It was resolved that the previous recommendation of the Committee be adhered to.— (11) From School Committee applying for permission to put down culverts. Referred to Works Committee. ELECTRIC LIGHTING, £10. Mr D. H. Brown waited on the Counoil m referenoe to the proposed electrio lighting and high pressure water-supply Boheme. He said that he did not think it would be wise to altogether shelve the thing. He believed Mr Fooks' estimate to be within the mark, except m regard to one or two things. He did not question the Engineer's figures with regard to the water.pipea, tower and so forth, but he was certainly of opinion that the amount estimated for power was exoessive, as the boiler and plant need not oost any. thing like what was set down for them. Then again £300 was Bet down for coal, whioh he considered a very excessive estimate. If the Council desired an acourate estimate of the cost of installation of the eleotrio light here it oould be obtained from Ashoroft and Co. of Wellington. Mr Fooks m his report had made no estimate of the income to be derived; only the cost had been set down. In regard to the proposed procuring of a steam fire engine he desired to point out to the Oounoil one difficulty whioh it was likely they would have to face. The engine | ran at a very high speed, and the silt whioh was oontained m the water whioh would have to be used would oause a great deal of injury to the valves and other working parts, and it was likely tne Counoil might be oalled upon to provide a great deal more for maintenance than they had any idea of, The Mayor thanked Mr Brown for the exposition of his views and promised them due consideration at the bands of the Counoil. ENGINEEBS' REPORT. The Engineers reported as follows :—Protective works : The river was again In fresh on the 11th inst. and continued high through the week, The damage done has been again to a greac extent on the north-west eide of the railway line, near the Old Men's Home. No 3 groin was oarried away, with the fencing adjoining, but Nob. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have not been injured,. Below the bridge no damage was done ; m f aot the heavy Btream seemed to be leaving the east bank until the 16th and 17th, when the river shifted again into the first willow plantation, below the bridge, carrying away several chains of fencing. Since Saturday the stream has increased m volume and has attaoked tha high bank and haß scoured from 8 to 10 feet m width for a length o* about 1J ohains. We have had Borne trees put m secured to the bank to break the force of the water, having obtained some pinuß insignia from Mona Square; with the trees and some gorse fasoineß that are on the spot we believe further damage can be arrested and we should not recommend other work being attempted, beyond simply protecting the banks from I further soour, until the freshes have Bubsided. The report was adopted. STEAM HRE ENGINE It was deoided to apply to the Fire Insurance Association for payment of their promised subsidy of *70 towards the purchase of a steam fire engine. A vote of thanks was passed to Cr Roberts for the trouble taken by him m getting m subscriptions, FOOTPATHS. On the motion of Cr Reid it was deoided that certain necessary repairs on footpatha should be attended to. PAYMENTS. Accounts were passed for payment and the Oounoil adjourned.