BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7242, 30 July 1907, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. Tho usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council Avas held last night, when there were present, his Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Davis), and Crs. R. Clark, P. Stewart, D. Wood, J. Davison, T. F. Gibson, H. Friedlander and D. Thomas.

Apologies were received from Crs Orr and Nicoll.

The Mayor reported a debit balance at the bank of £645 15s. The sums received since last meeting amounted to £7S ls Bd, the principal items being: Rates £49 ls 9d, and rents of reserves £16.

The Mayor stated that he had received a telegram from Mr Cyrus Williams, M.1.C.E., stating that his report had been posted. I CORRESPONDENCE. ! Correspondence was then read. The Minister of Labour acknowledged the Council's letter of the 10th inst., transmitting copies of resolutions passed at a half-holiday conference, urging the establishment of a universal weekly half-holiday, and stated that the representations would receive the consideration of the Government. —Received.

Messrs Craddock, Sims and Co. acknowledged receipt of letter of 17th inst., covering the report of the Lighting Committee, and stated that they would be prepared to accept the terms embodied in the report and would be glad to receive a draft of the agreement.—Received.

Mr Friedlander, who was absent from last meeting, wished to protest against the,, action of the Council with regard to the lighting. He was surprised that the Council should have granted a monopoly, in face of the difficulties with respect to the gas works. He thought that before very long _ the Council would regret the step which had been taken.

The Mayor said the only objection he had to the arrangement was the time, five years.

The secretary of the A.V.F.B. applied for new floor' covering for the meeting room. He drew attention to the old section ladders, which were out of date, and i-tated that the brigade had in view two telescopic ladders, one to extend 30ft. and the other 20ft, costing £2 17s and £2 12s 6d.

Cr Clark remarked that the new ladders would be a decided acquisition to the Brigade. Referred to the Fire Brigade Committee.

N. Harrison drew attention to the want of a lamp at the corner of Peter and Grigg Streets. Referred to Lighting Committee. The Works Committee reported in reference to Mr B. J. Ager's application for footpaths in Wills and Cameron Streets to be shingled, and recommended that the question of having them asphalted oil the usual conditions : be referred to the applicant for consideration, and that the matter of shingling be left in abeyance until a. reply was received. Labour gang —As some of the gang asked to be relieved from working on wet days, the Committee recommended that three of the men be engaged as casuals and be paid at the rate of 8s per -._•.,-, and that no paid holidays be allowed these men as m the case of those who are paid by the week. Painting—The Committee recommended that tenders be called for the work of painting the Council buildings at the yard, including the Fire Brigade buildings, bell structure and fences. The Committee recommended that the present water cart should be supplied with a direct drive in place of the old mechanism. The fitting of the direct drive would cost about £25, and would be far more efficient than the present system. To put the old driving gear m good order would cost about £10.—Ihe Committee recommended that a 40-gallon tar boiler, the same as supplied to the Christchurch City 1, 01,nc *1. should be procured, at a cost of £20. i Cr Thomas objected to changes in the system of paying the men. He moved that the matter be referred back to the Works Committee, to see what was actually wanted. If they put everyone on day labour, on wet days they would have no one at all. Cr Friedlander also objected to the changes. The report was adopted, with the exception of the second clause. REPORTS AND MISCELLANEOUS. Ihe Town Clerk reported that there I had been no cases of infectious diseases in the borough within the past fortnight.—Approved of. i The Inspector of Nuisances reported , tnat he found the yards, etc., in a satL lsractory state.

The foreman of works enumerated the works upon which the men were engaged.

The poundkeeper and ranger of dogs reported that all the dogs in the borough were registered. The Mayor moved that a special meeting be held for the passing of tho annual balance sheet, at 7.20 p.m on August 12th.—Carried.

Crs Friedlander and Davison were appointed sinking fund commissioners for the pavilion loan. Accounts amounting to £126 13s 6d were passed for payment. The Council then sat as tho DOMAIN BOARD. The secretary of the Sports Association applied for a closed day on the Domain on Thursday, August 22nd for the seven-a-sido football tournament, and wrote enclosing a cheque for £20, for rent, and stating that the Rugby Union withheld payment by way of protest, owing to their dressing-room having been removed without fee. Cr Thomas moved that a letter be sent to the Association, pointing out that a misapprehension had taken place and they had no claim on the buildings.—Carried. The curator reported that he had completed draining at the pavilion and also at the tennis pavilion. Three truck loads of rough stones had been placed m position ot the fernery. The rose garden had also received attention, over 300 roses having been planted.

The Domain Committee reported with regard to the Bowling Club's application for full control of the green, and stated that while the wishes of the club should be met as far as possible, they suggested that the ground rent should be paid to the Sports Association and the rental paid by the Association to the Domain Board be reduced by the difference between the amount the cluh was assessed at by the Association for the current year, and .ho amount of such ground'rental. As to Domain assistant, the Committee recommended that the wages of the assistant be raised to £2 5s per week, the same amount as paid to the permanent staff of tlie labour gang. Cr Davison moved the adoption of the report. Cr Friedlander said he would like to know what the difference would amount to, before deciding. After some discussion, it was decided to leave the matter over till the meeting of the Domain Board on Wednesday afternoon. The report was approved of. The Council then sat as the CEMETERY BOARD. Accounts amounting to £19 5s lOd were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.