RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2117, 6 December 1880, Page 3

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of this Council was held in Chambers on Friday evening last. Present: Councillors Burt, Johnston, Ellis, Orowthera. Or. Boyd proposed that Or. Good, Ivory, Boyd, Stephens, White, and Johnston take the chair, the Mayer being absent through indisposition. Carried. Letters were read—From Mr J. E. March, stating that Mr dough would be received into the Home at Ashburton and all his expenses paid thereto. From Mr G. Buokham, treasurer of Literary Institute, stating that the Kaiapoi Institute neither pays rates nor license fees, and asking for the same privilege for the Bangiora Institute. From Mr 0. H. Williams re share of fencing on Borough reserve at Methven, and asking for oheque for the amount. From the Under Secretary General Crown Lands Office re conveyance of Methven reserve to Borough Council. From Mr J. E. March re Charitable Aid grants. From Mr S. H. Andrews, re gift of £IOO towards fencing and planting (in share with Borough Council) Maria Andrews Park. From Mr Ho worth, agent for Mr Andrews, re the same. From Mr W. B. Perceval, re payment of certain rates. From Traffic Manager, re a man named Boaoh. From Mr J. E. Maroh re B. Vaughan. From Mr G. H. Blackwell, stating that the Oamaru Fire Brigade was anxious to sell a manual engine at a reduced prioe, and calling the attention of the Borough Council to same.' It was resolved that a share of the acoount ior fencing the boundary of the reserve (£25) be passed. Or. Boyd proposed—" That the' surveyor be authoriied to inspect the fencing and see to other matters of import to the Council." Or. Good seconded the motion, which was carried. Or. Boyd proposed, Or. Ivory seconded—" That the Institute nay the rates this year, but in futnre the valuation be omitted on the roll." Carried. The Clerk asked for instructions in case the treasurer should refuse to pay the rates this year. It was stated that;' suoh would not now be the case. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Boberts, Sutton, Best, Bridget, Jennings, and Bobilliard, was received. Mr Best stated that_ the deputation were informed that kerbing, channelling, and asphalting were to be done ia the improvements that were contemplated from the oorner of Ashley street to Or. Good's boundary, and the present deputation was astonished to hear that only kerbing was to be done at present. The kerb was in a state of decay, and he wished to say that the occupiers were determined not to have the kerbing only done on their request. They wished the whole thing to be oompleted as regards oonorete kerbing, channelling, and the pathway fully asphalted. He stated that nothing had as yet been done to improve that part of the town, and he respeatfuUy asked, for the deputation, that the Council would reconsider the decision, and grant the petitioners what they required, and what was so much needed. The Chairman stated that there was a building to be erected at the oorner of Ashley and High streets, and perhaps, with immediate repairs required, it would be better to wait until that was finished, and then to carry it out as wished. Mr Best stated they only asked for what had been repeatedly offered. He sincerely trusted that the matter would be carried out in full. The chairman promised a fair consideration of the petition. Some further discussion ensued, and the deputation then withdrew. Or. Boyd reported that the furnishing committee had accepted the tender of Mr Jennings for a clock, at £7. The clerk then read a statement showing that no tender had been received for the kerbing as advertised. That owing to the amount of work necessary he had been compelled to employ extra labor, and asked to be allowed to oontinue same for some time. That another man be employed to screen shingle, so that screenings can be used to repair footpaths. Granted. Or. Stephens stated so far as " unemployed," as they were called, were concerned, he did not believe a good man in the place was unemployed. Or. Burt objected to this, as he knew that many good men were unemployed. Proposed by Or. Boyd, seconded by Or. Orowthers—" That all the names entered on the valuation list as double assessments, those whose names and whereabouts were unknown, and weekly tenants, should be struck off the new roll, and that the new Church Sunday School could not be assessed." Carried. An unemployed hand here stated that he had been sixteen weeks without work, and wished to get something to do. The matter was left in the clerk's hands. Or. Stephens said he had examined the newly opened gravel pit in the Oounoil ground, and thought it was a pity to continue using it as it Bpoilt the section, and probably would prove of little use eventually. Or. Ellis proposed, Or. Stephens seoonded—" That the clerk report respecting a paddock for the horse at next meeting." Carried. Or. Good proposed, Or. Stephens seoonded—"That two new lamps be purchased for the Council Chamber." Carried. It was deoided that the clerk should write to the Hospital Board re amount due from Vaughan. Aooounts were passed for payment amounting to £7l 19s 3d. The balance in the bank was stated to be £364. Cr. Boyd stated that the action he had taken in the matter of asphalting the whole of the footpath as proposed was simply to preserve the strict economy of the Council's funds. In reference to the Drain street footpaths Cr. Burt proposed, Cr. White seoonded—"That the prayer of _ the petitioners be acceded to, and the work be at once commenced from the earner of Ashley street to Or. Good's oorner. The part near the proposed site of the Bonk of Now Zealand to be left for the present." Carried. Cr. Boyd proposed and Cr. Ellis seconded an amendment—" That the kerbing, channelling, and half the asphalting of the footpath be done only if the ratepayers be willing to pay their share of the expense." Or. Good moved a further amendment—

"That the whole of the asphalting and kerbing, without channelling, be formed." Or. Orowthers soconded. The Chairman considered the prayer of the deputation should be carried out in its entirety as the beßt and certainly the necessary course to adopt. Or Ellis thought if the half of the asphalting were done the occupiers would be glad to do the remainder themselveß. The motion and both amendments were put and negatived, and the following was carried, proposed by Or. Good, and seconded by Or. White—- " That the kerbing and asphalting the whole width of the footpath be done at onoe." The clerk was instructed to write and inform the deputation of the decision arrived at by the Council. After a vote of thanks to the chairman the Council adjourned to Monday, the 13th insfc.