ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 144, 26 August 1880, Page 2

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the above body, held on Monday, there were present his Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs. Roberts, Orr, Parkin, and St. Hill. mayor’s statement. His Worship the Mayor, in summarising the business of the evening, observed that the credit balance at the bank was L 207 6s. 2d.; rates collected since last meeting, Lll 55.; rents, L 5 10s.; licenses, L 3 55.; dog tax, LI 10s. The total collected from taxes was L 126. It, would be noted that the credit balance at the bank was rapidly decreasing, and if they had to refund the Wakanui Road Board subsidy, it would leave the Council in debt. It behoved them, therefore, to be very careful in commencing any fresh work, unless it was absolutely necessary. The Finance Committee had not met, and therefore Mr. Parkin’s motion %vould not be able to be discussed that evening. With reference to a communication from the Crown Lands Office, his Worship said that two of the reserves granted by. Government had been sold two years ago. In answer to Mr. St. Hill, the Mayor said that Mr. R. Friedlander and himself were the only members of the Finance Committee who had met. S : RESERVES. . A letter from the Under-Secretary for Crown lands informed the Council, that Government declined to give reserve No. 774 for Borough purposes ; that on the sth May last Crown Grants for certain reserves had been issued, and in addition to the latter, sections 762, 764, 765, 766, 767, 771, 772, ;-773,. 775; and 776 would be vested in the Borough for municipal purposes. Resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the Mayar to corr.espond with the Crown Lands Office. Mr. Chas. Hay asked for an extension of time to remove his whare off a Borough reserve, and asked that he be allowed to rent a section from the Council. To be acknowledged. Mr. James Bradley made application for section 610. Applicant was referred to the auctioneers advertisement. THE DEED OP EASEMENT. A letter from Messrs. Garrick and Cowlishaw to Mr. E. G. Crisp was read, stating that the grant for the water supply had been duly executed, and would be handed over on the enclosed account (LlO odds), being settled. To be deferred for a fortnight. ' ' MORE LIGHT WANTED. From Messrs. Mutch and McKenzie, suggesting that a lamp-post be erected- at, the corner of East and South streets. / To’ be acknowledged. ... MORE RED JAPE. . A letter (from the Traffic Manager’s office, New Zealand railways, stated that the Council’s letter re the Railway Reserve, East street, had been referred to the Assistant Engineer. To be acknowledged.- , ’ MATSON, COk, & CO.’S SIDING, Messrs. Matson, Cox, & Co., forwarded further particulars re their application for a siding to their new store. Application granted, subject to the Engineer’s supervision. ■ THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The Mayor said that the Finance Committee had not met, but he had prepared a rough statement.- He thought that Mr. Parkin’s motion,.put-top much work on the Finance Committee, especially with reference as topvhere reductions could be made ill the expenditure; This portion, his Worship thought, should have devolved on the Works Committee. Mr. Friedlander suggested that it was possible money might be advanced by the Banks on the probable sale, of the pipes. Mr. Friedlander, also, on behalf of the Finance Committee obtained leave to delay bringing their report until next meeting. THE ENGINEERS’ REPORT Referred to the channelling being nearly completed, to the water in the Domain having reached the reservoir, to the work at which the labor gang had .been engaged, and to Messrs. Matson, Cox & Co. ’s application for a siding. The report concluded by referring to the very little progress which was being made with the Burnett street west contract. BURNETT STREET WEST. Mr. St. Hill moved that the Clerk he instructed to give three days notice to the contractor for this work for its immediate completion ; and if on the fourth day the contractor had not started with ity the Engineer put on men to do the work, at the contractor’s cost. Carried.

DOMAIN ENTRANCE. Mr. St. Hill drew the Council’s attention to the extravagant and useless - manner in which the posts at the/ entrance to the Domain near the. reservoir had been put in. The p>osts were so • wide apart that cattle could easily pass in and out: It was resolved to refer the matter tothe Engineers. ' ''- v SENSIBLE RESOLVE. Mr. St. Hill drew attention to the number of unbccupied sections covered with tussock, and spoke of the great danger to the township in case of fire, especially during such- windy weather as had been experienced during last week. It was resolved to advertise a notice to the effect that persons -who owned such sections would be required to clear them at once, or they would.-be proceeded against under the By-laws; - Mr. St. Hill said that, while on the subject,, he would suggest that tenders be called for clearing the Borough sections of tussocks. The speaker then moved a resolution to that effect, which was carried. Mr. Roberts remarked that the Council could hardly have the front to prosecute others while they themselves were guilty. RETROSPECTIVE. In reply to Mr. St. Hill, his Worship said no application had been made by the previous Mayor or other officer of the Council for the Borough reserves, and one of the reserves had been lost through this neglect. ' Mr. St. Hill and his Worship obtained leave to hold over notices of motion in their names until next meeting. THE INSPECTOR OF' NUISANCES ' Reported serving notices on persons in East street, with reference to water flowing from their premises in the locality of Saunders’Buildings ; also, asking for information as to the proceedings he should take about: person'' riding ..land" driving across footpaths., . It was resolved to instruct the Inspector to lay informations against ’ any delinquents who might be guilty ,of riding or driving across any footpath. * . LICENSE., Edwin Bartlett applied for . a driver’s license, which was granted. ’ACCOUNTS Were passed for payment, and mne of the shortest meetings of the Council term inated. ■