Borught Council.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6207, 1 March 1904, Page 2

Borught Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening; Pre3eut — His Worship tho Mayor (Cr IT. Davis), and Councillors D. Thomas, G. J. Wallace, R. Clark, and J. W. Tirnmin?. FINANCE. The Mayor reported that the debit balance at the Bank stood at £1579 8s 3d, the raoeiptu since last meeting totalling £77 Is lid.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence . wa* dealt with as under: — From Messrs Booth, Macdonnld, and Co., in reference to the purchase by the Council of another road grader.—Received. Ib was decided on the motion of Cr. Thomas, seconded by Cr. Clark, tint consideration of the matter should he deferred for six months.

From Mr Charles Grant, applying for the transfer of Reserve T.S. 1214 to Mrs M. Ross.r-Eeeeived, and the request for transfer granted on the usual terms. From Mr H. Mackay, applying for the position of turncock to the Ashburton Fire Brigade.—Consideration of the matter was held over till later in the meeting.

From Fire Brigade Chief Enginaer Dolman advocating the housing of the curricle fire engine at the main station.—Received. Engineer Dolman and Lieut. Barber appeared as a deputation from the Fire Brigade to urge the necessity of adopting the suggestion contained in the letter. Et had been found that the steamer fire engine generally got to a fire before the curricle engine, and the utility of the latter, mainly consisting of the fact that it was always ready for use, it should therefore be on the scene sooner than the steamer. At present, the curricle was kept at the Western Fire Station, where facilities for getting it 'out were very faulty. If it were kept at the main station it would be a really useful adjunct to tho fire extinction plant of the Borough. In reply to the Mayor, Chief Engineer Dolman stated that there was plenty of accommodation for the ourriole at the main station.

Cr Thomas thought that the western people might object to the change. Lieut. Barber replied that it would be possible to get the curricle to a fire anywhere in the town quicker from the main station than from the western sbition.

Cr Clark asked, in the event of the request not being granted, would the Brigade put shafts on the manual engine and use it instead of the curricle, and if in that case they would require a further supply of hose.

Lieut. Barber stated that, although a further supply of hose would be desirable in any case, there war no comparison between the efficiency of the curricle and the manual, the curricle being much the better of the two..

Cr Wallace asked if telephone communication between the main and western stations would facilitate getting the eDgine out of the western station.

Lieutenant Barber said that as there was no one permanently stationed at the wes tern depot a telephone would not be much good. The Mayor thought that the opinion of the Fire Brigade trustees should be obtained on the matter before any action was taken.

Cr Thomas moved, and Cr Clark seconded, that the matter be referred to the Fire Brigade Committee with instructions to confer with the trustees, and report at next meeting. He did not like the idea of wasting money on the old manual eDgine. The motion was carried. FIRE BKIUADE ENGINEER^ KEPORT. The Engineer reported that the steam fire engine had been overhauled and anew boiler fitted. The report was received and adopted. The application for position of turncock was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee.

LI3HTING COMMITTEE'S REPORT,

Lighting Contract. - The Ashburton Gas Company having replied to this Council's communication that they will be prepared to li^ht the street lamps during this season on the same terms and conditions as last year, your Committee have pointed out to the Company that twelve months ago the chairman promised that certain concessions would be made to the Council this year, and have asked if a reduction can be made in the price of lighting. In the meantime the Committee have authorised the Company to light the lamps at the beginning of Marsh.

Lamp3.—Your Committee cannot see its way to reootntneDd the erection of any more street lamps, they hare also considered the question of the removal of the laraps opposite the Post Office, and would recommend that this lamp remain in its present position. .•;• Cr Thomas stated that the present number of lights were considered quite sufficient for the time being, and any, further extension would bo on East street.

On the motion of Cr Thomas, seconded by Cr Wallace, the report was read and adopted.

works committee's bsport.

Hanrahan Bros.' Claim for Damages.— Your Committee left this application in the hands of Cr Thomas for the purpose of making a settlement, and he has satisfied the claim for the sum of 85s, (The claim was one in respect of damages sustained by a trap in passing over a detective culvert.) Mr Hugo Friedlander's Application. — Your Committee have granted Mr Friedlander's application for permission to connect the channel from his premises with the outfall drain, on condition that the channel is an open one to the boundary of the premises, and only waste and storm water is allowed to drain therefrom; the work will be carried out by the Council's employees at Mr Friedlander's expense, Concrete Channelling.—Your Committee recommend that the concrete channel in Tancred and Burnett streets, when it is broken away, be repaired forthwith. Horse Po9t.—On-the application of Mr Stephanson, this Committee has authorised the emotion of a horse post opposite Mr Stephenson's premises in Aitken street, and the work has been carried out by the Council's men at the applicants expense.

On the motion p,f Gr Thomas, seconded by Cr Timmins, the report was received and adopted. Cr Thomas stated that the Works Committee were of opinion that all horse posts should be constructed by the Council to ensure informity,

Cr Timmins thought all old horse posts should be painted, TOWN CLERKS REBOOT.

The Town Clerk reported that the town was free from infectious disease.

The rpport was adopted, INSPECTOR O|> NUISANCES RBPOBT,

The Inspectqc reported that he had inspected the butchers' au.d dairymen's premises, vehicles and utensjla during the past fortnight, and bad found then* clean,

The report was adopted. FOREMAN OF WORDS' UEBORT,

The Foreman of Works reported on various works which are in progress, and reported a shortage of water during the pagb two days. Tbe report was adopted.

On the motion of Cr Thomas, seconded by Cr Clark, the matter of the purchase of the Gas Company's plant was held over till next meeting. Cr Timmins brought up the matter of bringing a water main down Winter's Road from the river, for the use of Allenton residents. He moved that arrangements be made to get water for the Allenton residents, subject to the approval of the Borough Engineer. Cr Thomas thought that there was not sufficient water for^tlje use of the people. The Mayor thought that Cr Timmins' application should be put into writing. Cr Timmins explained that it was proposed to hold a meeting of Allenton residents tD consider the matter, and it was aecesfapy firs£ tp know the Council's positip'n. Cr Thomas ihou^ht that it for the Allenton residents to submit a scheme for the approval of the Council. Cr Thomas referred to the matter of acquiring a motor vehicle to serve the dual purpose of a watering-cart and a fire engine; the water tauk and fire engine portions could be mode interchangeable. He instanced the mpfcoc lorreys used h? the Meat Companies. He moved, ,and Cr Wallace seconded, that the project should be put before the Eire Brigade Committee. Motor street cleaners were in use in England, and were very efficacious. The motion was carried.

QTJTSTANpINQ R^-TES. The Mayor reported that there was only about £1 outstanding, and it w.as resolved to leave, the matter in the hands of the Maypr fio deal with. CLOSED K«AD. The Mayor reported that the consent of the Stipendiary Magistrate ha 4 been ob : tamed for the closing of the road afc the rear of the Charitable Aid Board's section. THE ASHBURTON BRIDGE. Or Thomas thought that the Ashburtou bridge should be metalled and bound with Cr Clark thought that the snoisb day would rot the bridge timber,

Cr Thomas moved, and Cr Wallace sec* onded, that the County Council be asked to have a small section of the bridge metalled as an experiment. Cr Timmins said it rauat be remembered that the Ashburton bridge must be kept smooth to walk on. He did not think that a metalled surfaoe would ever wear smooth on the bridge. The motion was carried. INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS REPORT. The Inspeotor reported on the applications for licenses for the Anglican, Presbyterian, We3leyan, Methodist, Primitive Mefchodisb, and Baptist churches, and the Salvation Army Barracks. The matter wa3 referred to the Fire Brigade Committee to investigate and report. hawker's license. A hawker's license was granted. Accounts totalling £,lh l2s 9d were passed for payment. The Council then sat as a DOMAIN BOAED.

Correspondence was dealt with as under: From the Hororata 'School Committee, thanking the Committee for the refund of £1, feo for use of the Domain.—Keceivcd.

An application from theKaiapoi Woollen Mills for the use of the Domain for a picnic next Saturday was granted.

curator's report,

The Curator reported on the work of the Domain, which was progressing favourably.

The report was received and adopted.

Mr J. Moriarby appeared in support of an application of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Society to have the posts removed from the sides of the Domain cycling track. Mr Moriarty explained that it was desired to use the track for motor raoing, which would necessitate the removal of the posts from the edge of the track about four or five yards, which would ensure the safety of both moto'ista and public. Tn answer to a question by Mr Thomas, Mr Moriarty stated that the dangerous part of the track for motorists was the entranco to the straight. Mr Thomas said that the posts would have to be replaced if removed. Tn answer to Mr Clark, Mr Moriarty said that the matter had been previously brought before the Ashburton Sports Association, who had stated that they would not object to the alteration, subject to the permission of the Curator.

On the motion of Mr Thomas, seconded by Mr.Clark, a Committee of Messrs Wallace, Davison, TimmiHS, and himself was appointed to meet the Sports Committee at 2 o'clock next Thursday, and confer on the matter. Mr Timmins suggested that a portable fence be constructed, which could be moved to suit any purpose. The meeting then adjourned.