ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2142, 6 January 1881, Page 3

ASHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday. Present—Messrs W. 0. Walker (chairman), Wright, Coster, Jackson, Cameron, Bullook, Grigg, and Saunders. The chairman read a statement of the business to be laid before the Council. The engineer’s report was then read, and also a petition signed by Messrs Roberts and Winter and others, praying for continuing the water supply through their properties, as it would prove a great boon to them. On the motion of Mr Grigg, and seconded by Mr Bulloek, it was agreed to comply with the request, the engineer to arrange details. The report of the Hospital Committee was read. It stated that the first patient was admitted on the 3rd of September last, and thirty patients had since been treated there, four patients had died, and eight remained under treatment, the rest having been discharged cured or relieved. The want of a female ward was much felt. In compliance with a suggestion of the surgeon, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Grigg, “ That the fees in all cases, when the surgeon think advisable, should be received, and the fees remitted in cases recommended by the report.” The report of the tariff committee was read, extracts from which have already been published. The chairman said that the assertion of the manager of railways, that as certain matters connected with the management of the railways involved a political question he could cot deal with them, made him think that the railways would never be properly managed while under political influence. He would therefore give notice that at next meeting he would move opinion of this Council the railways should be managed by a non-political Board.” Mr Wright said that he was in a position to say that certain amendments were to be made in the grain tariff. There was to be a reduction of about 10 per cent, and though he did not think that would be fair when compared with the charges for other commodities, in the present state of the finances it was perhaps as much as could be got. The chairman moved the adoption of the report, which was carried. Accounts to the amount of £ISOO were passed for payment. It was resolved that the hospital committee communicate with the Mayor of Ashburton with the view of ascertaining what sum tho Borough Council would contribute to the hospital fund pending further legislation on the subject of hospitals and charitable aid. On the motion of Mr Coster, it was resolved —“ That in acknowledging the letter of the General Manager of Railways re reductions in the rate of freights, his attention be drawn to the fact that as regards stock the tariff which induced most traffic, yielded the largest profit to tho department,and best suited to the public, was one which was in force about three years ago, when sheep were carried at the rate of 10a per truck for the first twenty miles, and 4d per truck per mile afterwards up to fifty miles.” After some discussion the chairman and Mr Wright were appointed a committee to confer with the Geraldine County Council re the Bangitata bridge. A deputation, consisting of the Hon. Mr Petors, Messrs MoOoll, Murrow, Bowick, J. Stanley Bruoa and others, waited upon the Council with regard to the division of the Mount Somers road district, and also a part of the Upper Ashburton road district into a separate road district. Petitions from certain ratepayers and also from the Ashburton and Mount Somers Road Boards were read. Tho Hon. Mr Peters, who acted as spokesman, urged the claims of tho petitioners for separation on the ground that an equitable share of the money of the Boards had not been expended on the districts which sought separation. Mr MoOoll said that the district was about thirty miles long by twelve miles wide, and the like of it was not in New Zealand. It required no bridges, it had no swamps, and now that they were to receive no more Government subsidy they thought they would be better off by constituting it a Road Board district. Mr Wright said that the district seeking separation was larger than the Longbeach road district, so that there could be no objection to the separation on that ground. The Chairman said that he believed that selfishness was at the bottom of both petitions. He was against the separation on the ground that that it would involve more official expenditure. Mr Wright argued that the district seeking separation had not been fairly dealt with. He also said it was a most extraordinary thing for four members of the Council to sign the counter petition while they knew full well they would be called upon to decide on tho question. It was passing sentence before hearing evidence. Mr Grigg said he was sorry that his own name appeared in the counter petition, but he had no idea when he signed it that it would come for decision before the Council. He fully agreed with Mr Wright that it was wrong for members of the Council to sign petitions on which they would be called upon to decide. He believed there was a wrong impression on the minds of the petitioners to the effect that their money could be spent in other wards outside of their own. That could not be done. The size of the district was much in favor of separation, but there were other arguments against it. Mr McCall said they were looking to the future, and wanted to constitute themselves into a body so ns to carry out their own works. The deputation, after some further conversation, withdrew. Mr Wright moved—- “ That a committee, consisting of Messrs Saunders, Coster, Jackson, and the mover, be appointed to investigate the petition for constituting the new Road Board district of Bangitata,” The Chairman said that with regard to Mr Wright’s charge against members of the Council who had signed the counter petition, he saw no reason why, as ratepayers in the district, they should not exercise their right. He hoped that having signed it would not prevent him from doing his duty in the Council. The motion having been seconded by Or. Bullock, was agreed to. It was announced that the question of dividing the Longbeach road district into two districts was withdrawn. In compliance with a request the engineer was instructed to bridge a drain in Waterton. A letter from the secretary to tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association was read, offering £IOO per annum rental for the cattle yards and 4 per cent, on additions made to them. The offer of £IOO was accepted, provided 10 per cent, was naid on alterations, and insurance also paid by the Association. Me a drain at Wheatstone it was resolved to instruct the engineer to do what was necessary in the case. A letter from tho Wallace County Council was road, asking the Council’s co-operation in restoring the 10 per cent, land fund to the counties. The Council agreed with the Wallace County Council. It was agreed to allow tho Ashburton Borough Council to sell tho water pipes. With regard to a claim for a share of the land fund put in by the Ashburton Borough Council, the matter was postponed till next meeting, the clerk in the meantime to moke out returns to ascertain the fairness of the claim. It was resolved to appoint Mr Compton poundkoeper at Methven. Mr W. C. Walker having resigned, Mr E. G. Wright was appointed treasurer. The sum of £I2OO was passed for drainage at the Hinds, the matter to stand over until the first meeting in April. The meeting then adjourned.