BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10133, 10 June 1924, Page 7

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

COUNCIL MEETING HELD.

HAMPSTEAD WATER LOAN.

I FINANCING MORE HOPEFUL. The Ashburton Borough Council met last night. There were present: The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and Messrs R. I Kerr, F. Z. D. Ferriman, R. M. Dun-

lop, \Y. G. Hillier, John Watson, W. H. Woods, H. R. 0. McElrea, R: A. Collins and C. F. Horrid. Leave of absence was granted Mr J. W. Bowden, who was unable to be present on account' of illness. The financial statement showed that | since last meeting £9B 3s 2d had been received. Accounts for payment would amount to £63-3 14s 4d. In/connection with the financing ol the loan for the Hampstead water supply, the Hon. W. Nosworthy wrote stating that the State Advances Office was not at the present time advancing money to local bodies. He had discussed the matter with the Public Trustee, and he understood money might be available in that quarter. He advised the Council to make immediate application to the Public Trustee for the loan. The Mayor reported having made revesentations in accordance with the Minister's advice. It was possible the rate of interest might be higher in that quarter, but, according to the engineer, the loan would not be affected because the decreases ■ that were taking place in the costs of material would counter-balance the increased cost of. the money. The Council approved the Mayor's ac tion

Application, for the half-year's subsidy (£6O) was made by the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade. The request was granted. A letter was received from E. Skitrop, consulting engineer to Messrs Ellis and Co., of Auckland, stating that he noticed the Council intended laying down some of its streets in permanent material, and that he had once stated his advice to them on the subject would be free of cost. That promise still remained good. Mr Ski-

trop previously, gave his opinion to a

member of the Council concerning the use of Union asphalt, which, he said, could be used with good results here. It was decided to thank Mr Skitrop for his offer, and to inform him that the scheme had been deferred.

The two lessees of building leases, Messrs H. M. Jones and W. J. Brown, who were informed from last Council meeting to exercise their privilege to commence building immediately or

vacate the sections appealed for a little extension lhe terms of the leases stipulated that building must commence within one year, but i)i these cases the sections had been occupied for seven years without result. Both lessees stated the various circumstances which had prevented them building when they had first intended. On the motion of Mr Dunlop it was decided to grant them each three months' extension, terminating on September 30, such extension to be absolutely final. The Domain and Reserves Committee recommended : —(1) That the freehold of T.S. 918 be offered to Mr J. M. Wilkie for the sum of £6O, and that the proceeds from sale be used to further reduce the antecedent liability; (2) that the council obtain a motor lawn mower for the Domain at an estimated cost of £l2O, and if this is done the committee was agreeable to dispense. with the services of one man in the Domain and employ a man casually in the busy season for two months in the year. In connection with clause 1 it was made clear that the council was not selling its reserves. In this particular case the reserve was really a lakelet, which adjoined a residence, and which was useless in its position from the council's viewpoint. There was no opposition to the actual proposal to buy the motor lawn mower, but objection was voiced by Messrs Horrill, Kerr, and Ferrinian against throwing a man out of work in the middle of the winter. If the matter could be deferred till laljpr there would be no objection. It was stated on the other hand that the work had increased, and if it could be done without increased cost by

machinery there should be no. objection. Mr Woods, chairman of, the Finance Committee, said that in any case he was of a growing opinion that the fourth man in the Domain should be dispensed with.

A dispute, between the Hockey Association and the basketball players regarding the use of a ground in the Domain was referred to the Domain Committee to adjust.