FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8280, 27 October 1915, Page 2

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

The fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held last evening. Present:-^(Jounciliors *'.- Z. 1 D. Ferriman (Deputy-Mayor), H. K. 0. Mcliirea, G. H. Buchanan, P. L. Orr, J. B. Christian, R. Kerr, G. \V. Andrews, G. D. Jd. Hoftord, and H. A. Lloyd. % ■

The Deputy-Mayor reported a debit balance on the Temporary Loan Account of £7000, and a debit balance at the Bank of New Zealand of £1192 17s sd, making an actual overdraft of £8192 17s ud. TJie amounts received since last meeting had totalled i £161 14s Id, including rates £89 9s 3d, fees and fines under by-laws £33 ss, extraordinary water supplies £11 8s Id, Domain Account £11 15s. . i. ■■■■„■ Correspondence. The Under-Secrotary of the Lands and Survey Department wrote with regard to the 'Council's application to have the purpose of section 2643 changed from a plantation-reserve to-a Borough endowment, stating that the application could only be granted provided payment was made to the Crown of,, say, two-thirds of the present value of tlie reserve.—it was decided to refer the matter to the Reserves--Commit-tee for a report. The Ashburton Electric Supply Company, Ltd., wrote with regard to the offer'of the extension of its term to 1920, stating that the directors of the company wished to meet tlie Lighting Committee and to go into matters more fully in that connection.—Cr Buchanan moved that the directors of the Electric Supply Company be asked to meet the whole Council in committee at the next meeting.—On being seconded by Cr Andrews, the motion was carried. The District Railway Engineer I wrote granting the Council's applica-. tion to have the public urinals on the | railway reserve in Burnett Street removed to a site between Burnett Street i and Tancred Street.—Received.

A letter was received from the District Health Officer in connection with a report on a case of scarlet fever at the corner of Wills and Park Streets, stating that a complaint was made of a nuisance from a side-channel in Park. Street, due to the bad grading of the channel causing a collection of offensive silt and saturation through overflow of the channel. He was of opinion that the Council should take immediate steps (to have this portion of the channel re-laid, so as to ensure all water getting freely nway.—Or Buchanan said that the matter was an urgent one.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee with power to act.

The New"" Zealand Expeditionary Force Gift; Tobacco Fund Committee wrote asking the Council's aid in helping to 'carry on the fund in the Borough, and pointing put tho good objects of such a fund.—lt was mentioned that;'there was already a Tobacco Fund in Ashburton, and it was decided to allow, the letter' to lie on the table.

Nathan D. Gill applied for one chain of channelling'in• Gas's Street, and expressed his willingness to pay half the cost of.same. —The matter was referred to the Works Committee for a report.

The Ashbiyrton'Red Cross Society wrote thanking the Council for the use of its rooms.—lt was decided,that . the Red Cross rooms he given tele- ' phonic communication at the Council's expense.—-Or McElren, dissented. He \ snid th.it he did not think the rate- ', payers should be made to pay for such \ a, concession. Reports. Tlie Abattoirs arid Water Committees! recommended: —" (i) That tho (Jouucii deeiues to iu.y water pipes tor the abattoir site via Princes (Street, so as to supply the residents in that street with water on the following', conditions:: — (a) That the JdLampstead Town Board pays die Council b per cent, per annum with a sinking "fund of 2£ per cent, for about 26 years on the actual extra cost of laying the pipes by way of Princes Street, instead of Bridge lioad. (The extra cost has been estimated at £350). (b) That applicants for water service for residences along the proposed route bear the whole cost of connections and pay for water supplied at the following rates:—For the annual supply of 20,000 gallons, 2s per 1000 gallons, with a minimum charge of £2; for annual supply of every 1000 gallons in excess of 20,000 gallons, and up to 30,000 gallons, Is 9d; for the annual supply of every 1000 gallons in excess 0f.'30,000, Is 6d; ;in addition to the above charges the' consumer to pay interest on the cost of the meter at the rate of '15 per cent. (2). That as the Waterworks Engineer has shown that the installation of a petrol engine for hoisting purposes'would affect a saving of £17 per annum as compared with electric power, the. Council decide to instal the former."-—The report was referred 1 back to .the committee.—Cr. Christian that an important financial clause in the report had not come beforo the committee. The Town Clerk reported having i issued, the following building permits: Residence, T.S. 146, estimated value £2212; residence,; pt. T.S. 696, estimated value £400; storeroom, T.S. 785, I estimated value £35.—The report was j adopted. ' 1 The Foreman's report was read and adopted. The Inspector's report was also read j and adopted. i Genera!. • It was resolved:—" That a special | meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council be held in the Council Chambers on Monday, November 8, for the-, purpose of making and, levying ■ a special rate of twopence in the poundN upon the rateable valuo of, all rateable properties within tho Borough of Ashburton, as part security for the. abattoir loan of £5000 about to be raised." I Cr Andrews moved that (the Bylaw. Committee bo asked to ascertain j the Council's exact position as to all j the boundary streets in 1, the Borough.— Cr Buchanan seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr F. Makeig was re-appointed Valuer for the ensuing year. Licenses were granted as follows:— Hackney carriage,; R. H. James ; hackney carriage drivers', R. H. James ; lodging-house, George Stoddart; to'sell dangerouvs goods, J. Newman; to [ store dangerous goods, Rev. J. 'J. lO'Donnelf^.d Dr C. E. R. Ren die: publif hnilrlMi^. Loyal Oranse Lodge; plumbers'. G. T. Russoll and. Co.; carriers' vehicle, J. Church; vehicle driver's, J. Church. Accounts amounting to £137 3s. 2d

were pa-ssed for payment and the Council sat as the Ashburton j