ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1626, 7 May 1879, Page 3

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Monday, May 5.

Present—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Saunders, Ivess, Campbell, Roberts, and Priedlander. Correspondence was read from the Attorney-General, stating the bylaws must be published seven clear days before coming into force, and that therefore the last publication was in his opinion insufficient. It was resolved to call for tenders for re-advertising the by - laws. From town clerk, Christchurch, stating city regulations with regard to storing kerosene. Resolved to leave the matter in abeyance till the by-laws became law. From Mr E. J. Lee, stating that owing to Mr Campbell’s appointment, he considered himself disqualified from taking action regarding Assessment Court. Ho had written to the Government on the subject, but received no answer. His Worship said since Mr Campbell had left he had telegraphed to the Government urging them to appoint a judge, but had had no reply. It was resolved to write to the Government, requesting them to appoint Mr Leo a judge. An application from the Gas Co., for permission to lay down their mains through the streets of the borough, was granted. The consideration of a letter from Mr J. Baldwin, complaining of the state of the drain opposite the Central Hotel, was deferred till next meeting. The town clerk was appointed inspector of cabs and hackney carriages, the fee to be charged being 2s 6d for each vehicle. A letter was read from Messrs Scott Bros,, stating that an extra charge of 5s per lamp post would bo made in the event of the Council ordering less than twenty. It was agreed to increase the order to twenty. The borough surveyor reported on the state of the streets and footpaths. The channelling and kerbing would be at once proceeded with, but he recommended postponing the asphalting till tar could be procured from the local gas works. Cr. Ivess regretted that something more definite had not been done after the resolution they had passed at their last meeting, The winter would be over before tar could be got from the local works, and he thought the cost of carriage of the tar from Christchurch would be a mere trifle. If, however, they decided not to asphalte the streets, they should at any rate put shingle on, as the winter was coming fast. Or. Saunders said the want of monay was the works committee’s principal difficulty. They had had outstanding accounts amounting to £4OO, whilst their credit balance was only £lO. Cr. Campbell stated the cost of asphalting would be much increased by procuring tar from Christchurch, His Worship agreed with Cr. Ivess that the work was urgently necessary, but doubted the prudence of getting into debt, Cr. Ivess said it was agreed at last meeting to proceed with the work, though they were fully aware of the state of the funds, Tney should not have gone in for local self-government if unable to make the footpaths. Surely with a prospect of the rates coming in there would be no rashness in contracting an overdraft of a few pounds to enable them to carry on these very necessary works. It wss stated that the receipts from rates would be £IOOO and the subsidy another £IOOO. Cr. Ivess moved and it was carried—- “ That the works committee be authorised to advertise for lenders for the formation of tVo side street footpaths set forth in the resolution authorising the construction of same, and that it be a recommendation to the works committee to proceed with the concrete channelling along East street.” It was moved by Cr. Saunders, seconded by Cr. Campbell, and carried—“ That the Council call for tenders for cement in the following quantities :—IOO casks, 200 casks, and 500 casks, delivered at Ashburton, Christchurch, and Lyttelton,” After passing accounts, the Council adjourned.