BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19164, 22 November 1927, Page 9

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

RICCARTON. A meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council was held last night, the Mayor (Mr H. Manhire) presiding. Present were: Cre. E. Malcolnison, T. M. Ford, H. Gudsell, H. Telford, R. H. Rankin, J. F. Peters, L. Ormandy; and R. Hepburn. The Mayor stated that the most important question to discuss was the high pressure wator supply scheme. He hoped that they would show a united front, and would do their best to bring the matter to a successful conclusion. A report on the scheme was discussed in committee.

The Works Committee reported that a steel culvert and heavy bitumen crossing' were necessary at the tanks yards, Riccarton road, which would he in conformity w;th the new works I>eing done. All electric points had been installed at the necessary places for road watering, except the school bath pump. The committee recommended that the Wkarenui School Committee be asked to arrange for a conference between the committee, the Bath Trustees, and tho Council with reference to tho pump. The Electricity Committeo'e report stated that a commencement had been made with the installing the suspension lamps in the business area of Riccarton road. It recommended that any consumer whose account was outstanding sixty days after the date of readings, should have his installation disconnected from the Bupply and before' reconnexion was made, a prepaid foe of 5s should be handed to the town clerk. The reports were adopted.

NEW BRIGHTON. The New Brighton Borough Couucil met last evening. Those present were: The Mayor (Mr A. W. Owles), Org. F. D. Muirson. E. Smith, J. C. Scott, T. Robins, A. E. Lawry, H. A. Glasson, K. A. M. Leaver, 1\ D. Muirson, and G. W. Bishop. A letter was received from the South Brighton Gala Committee asking for permission to take up a collection on December 3rd, when the opening of ' the South Brighton bridge is to be performed. It was the unanimous decision of the Council not to grant the request, the opinion being expressed that to ask the public to be present and then take up a collection towards the South Brighton Gala expenses was not right. The Minister for Marine (the Hon. Mr Anderson) has intimated his intention of being present at the opening of the bridge. Mr J. A. Flesher, Borough Council solicitor, wrote, intimating that the City 'Solicitor had written him in connexion with the form of the clause to be inserted in the Local Legislate.. Bill with reference to the Sea View road bridge, and the cost of the recent proceedings which ha'd been forced on the New Brighton Borough Council. Mr Flesher told him that he understood that the liability of the New Brighton Borough Council in respect to its contribution towards the cost of the bridge would be limited to the amount of loan money available after deduction of any extra amount which might be payable for engineer's fees and legal costs, necessitated from the proceedings which'had been instituted against the Borough Council in the matter. The City Solicitor wrote that he was instructed to make it quite clear that the City did not accept any liability for any costs in reference to the litigation. Mr Flesher contended that the Minister made it quite clear that the liability of the Council was to be limited to the amount of money available for the construction of the new bridge, which necessarily was affected by the extra expenses to which the New Brighton Council had been put. It was decided to let the matter stand over, and a deputation will wait on the Minister when he comes to New Brighton on December 3rd. Mr J. P. Martin, advisory solicitor to Borough Councils, forwarded the opinion that there was no authority at law to grant exemption to the ratepayers in the South Brighton bridge special rating area, from being rated upon the £52,000 loan. The letter was received.

The Canterbury Surf and Life-Saving Association requested the Council to appoint a delegate to join a deputation to wait upon the Christchurch City Council with a view to inducing that Council to increase the present erant of £25 in connexion with the appointment of permanent beach patrols. ' The Mayor was appointed to represent the Council.

The Christcanrch City Council forwarded a copy of au application from the Christchtirch Tramway Board for permission to establish an omnibus service between North Beach and the City, via "Wainoni road, and to establish the existing: omnibns service between Bnrwood and Park road to the Esplanade at North Beach. It was resolved that a reply be sent that the Council offered no objection to the Tramway Board's application for a ißrvico Tift Wajucwal road, prptiainf %l yn*

[ not identical with the present service, and with regard to the extension of the Bnrwood bus service from Park road to the beach tho Council would like the Board to confer with it with regard to the route to be taken. The Mayor moved that the New Brighton Surf Club be written to asking to what extent the club would assist in constructing conveniences at the surf pavilion. It was resolved that some wells be tested when a well sinkor was available in the borough. The Council afterwards sat as the Rawhiti Domain Board. A report with recommendations in connexion with the leasing of the eighteen sections under the Rawhiti Domain Empowering Act, 1925, was submitted by Cr; Leaver and the Town Olerk. After a discussion vthe report was adopted.