RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1595, 31 March 1879, Page 4

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thp u-iual meeting of this Council was held on Friday evening last. Present The Mayor (air Blackett), Councillors Burt, Thome, Boyd, Luxton, White, Robinbod, Good, and Johnston. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Mayor said that before proceeding with the business of the evening, he wished to state that he thought the "Times " reports of the Council's meetings would be more reliable if the reporter would not draw so much upon his imagination for information as he has been in the habit, of doing. Ho would ask the Councillors to give him all the assistance in their power to cirry out the regulation* for the conduct of business of the Council. The correspondence was then read, viz., copies of letters sent by authority of the Council to Mr R >wloy re opening of a road across the line n«ar the barracks ; to the Commissioner of Railways re same crossing and a gate on the line; to Mr J. Boyle re transfer of hia lease to Mr J. 0. Boyle; letters from Mr Gray for Professor Bickertorj re receipt of samples of water sent for analysis ; from J. Oilivier, asking for a return of reserves in the municipality ; a letter from the Major of Christchurch, asking the cooperation of the Council in using endeavors to get the next session of the General Assembly held in Christchurch. Cr. Good moved—" That the Mayor of Christchurch be informed that the Council heartily agree to co-operate with him in the matter." Seconded by Cr. Robinson, and carried. A discussion took place on the transfer of the lease of the Reserve from Mr Boyle to his son, and Or. Thome movf d—" That if Mr Boyle wishes to give up the land the Council will be willing to release him." Cr. White seconded the motion, which was carried. The surveyor's report was then read and considered. It stared that the levels along the footpath on the Drain road were sufficient to allow the water plenty of fall to run away. He asked the permission of the Council to call for tenders for the formation of the path. He recommended that an addition be made to the oulvert opposite Mr Schmidt's property. That he had given instructions for putting down two pipes for fire extinction purposes, the inhabitants living near guaranteeing one half of the cost. That the well opposite Or Thome's had been attended to and cleaned out. With regard to the culvert by Mr Sohmidt's, Cr. Burt moved—" That the work as recommi nded by the surveyor be carried out." Or. White seconded. Cr. Boyd thought Mr Schmidt would contribute towards towards the work, and moved--" That the work be done if Mr Bchmidt will contribute one-third of the cost." Seconded by Cr. Robinson and carried. It was decided to have the dangerous part fenced if Mr Schmidt does not assist in the cost of work. The Mayor reported that the amount received for the sufferers by the Kaitangata accident ■was £37 9s, which he would remit at once to the general treasurer. The town clerk stated the receipts for the past fortnight have been £8 5s 6d ; payments, £133 Os 6d ; balance in the Bank, £956 15s 9d. The pay-sheet for the past fortnight, £SB 19s 6d, was ordered to be discharged. The Mayor here brought forward a scheme for the supply of Rangiora with water from the bod of the Ashley. He stated that for some time past the nrcessity of a steam fire engine or other means of extinguishing fires had been very apparent, and he thougnt that before deciding to purchase a fire engine the question of getting a water supply for Rangiora should be considered. He thought that if a fall sufficient to give a pressure of 801bs to the inch can be obtained, that would be sufficient to throw a jet of water 40 t high. He might also refer to the fact that it would be utilised for household purpoees, and for watering the streets The cost might be about £3OOO, but he thought that that would be cheaper than buying and keeping up a fire engine. He would ask the Council to get the levels taken from Rangiora to the Ashley, and the supply of water in the river tested, as a preliminary step, and to prove the practicability of the scheme. Cr. Thome brought before the Council the question of calling for tenders for tbe footpath along the east side of the Drain road, and moved that it be done. Seconded by Cr. Good, and carried, after a good deal of discussion. With regard to the well near Cr. Thome's, it was decided that it be cleaned out and bars placed across the mouth to prevent accidents. Tenders were then opened for the erection of two rooms to the cottage on the Council's property, and for removing the old one to a more suitable position on tbe section. Mr E. Rossiter's tender of £123 was the lowest and was accepted. Tenders for shingling New and Burt's street were opened, but they were returned for fresh offers, the town clerk to accept the lowest. Tenders for the formation of the footpaths on the East and West town beltß were opened, and one in each case accepted. Cr. Burt then moved that the Council proceed with the concrete kerbing and channellinggon the north side of High street from the railway station to the West town belt, and the footpath be asphalted three feet in width, the inhabitants bearing one half of the expense. The cost of asphalting and kerbing would be £9 per chain, and he thought it would be a great improvement to the town if it was carried ou'-. He said that the channels oould be much easier kept clean if the concrete kerb is put down. Cr. Thome seconded the motion, and suggested that the inhabitants should be requested to assist in the cost. He hoped that the Council would be requested to put down kerbing and asphalting in many parts of the town. Cr. Boyd was in favour of the motion, and would like to see it made compulsory on the landholders adjoining to contribute towards the cost. Or. Robinson would oppose the,motion, as in the present state of the funds it would be unwise to go to such an expense at the present. The Mayor, Crs. Good and Luxton also opposed the motion on the score of expense. Or. Boyd moved as an amendment that if the owners of property are willing to contribute ono-half the expense, the path from Cone's corner to the Junction Hotel be asphalted throe feet, and a concrete channel and kerb be put down. Cr. Johnston seconded the amendment. The amendment was carried, and the meeting adjourned.