BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 268, 26 August 1930, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM. MANY PREMISES NOT CONNECTED COUNCIL DECIDES ON ACTION. The Ashburton Borough Council met last evening, when there were present the Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith), Messrs R. Kerr, R. A. Collins, W. H. Robinson, J. McElhinney, E. H. Orr, J. Thompson, J. Watson, F. J. E. Smallbone, AY. H. Rundle, and F. AVSeldon. The financial statement showed that roceipts since the previous meeting had totalled £292 17s 2d, the chief items being rates £llO 6s Id, rents £l7 5s 6d, extraordinary water supply £54 14s 7d,'abattoir fees £79 9s 10s, licenses £lO 13s 6d. The Canterbury Progress League wrote soliciting the Council’s annual grant of £lO 10s, and expressing the League’s appreciation of the Council’s support in other years. It was agreed to grant the usual amount. _ The Canterbury District Council of the W.E.A. wrote asking for a grant toward the funds of the Ashburton Branch. A grant of £1 Is was made. The Technical School also wrote asking for a grant toward its funds. A grant of £5 was made. The Medical Officer of Health at Christchurch wrote that he understood that there were still a number of dwellings in the Borough not connected to the sewer. He recommended that a notice should be given to these people either individually or by means of advertisement, that the night-soil service in that area will be cut off in three months’ time. He would also remind them that the burial of nightsoil in the Borough was prohibited. The Mayor-said this question had been discussed several times. There were several shops not connected, and they should be made to connect with the system. Mr Seldon: That is not an engineered letter, is it? The Mayor and the Inspector (Mr J. R. Richardson) assured members tliat no hint had been given to the Health Officer regarding the matter. , ~ Mr Thompson said the money paid to the night-soil contractor would pay the interest on a loan to assist residents in connecting up with the sysMr Smallbone: With the septic tank in its present condition would it not he putting too much on it to connect any more. I was down there to-day, and I certainly got a shock Is the septic tank functioning in the best interests of the health of the public. Mr Kerr said the tank had not been cleaned for two. years and tour months. The Council could not go < on with the raising of a loan till it had some security. . , r In reply to a question, the Mayor said that there were 128 places not connected, and of these 25 were on the west side of the Borough. Mr Collins said that if the Council discontinued the service, residents would be compelled to connect up witii the sewerage system. The Mayor said the people were looking to the Council for assistaiMr Collins: Yes, we are to he the Mr Thompson said that the people could not be compelled to connect their premises. . ~ , Mr Kerr said that it would, need special legislation to compel the peoP It was agreed, after further discussion that the recommendation of tin. Health Officer be given effect to The Ashburton Plunket Society va. granted permission to erect a tent on one of the lawns in East Street and to sell flowers on September 12 (Daffodil The Council discussed a superannuation scheme for its employees, and it was agreed to refer the matter to the Finance Committee for a report.

Domain Board. Sitting as a Domain Board the Council received the .report of the Curator on work carried out by ms staff in the past two .weeks.

Cemetery Board. Sitting as a Cemetery Board, the Council received the financial repoit showing that receipts had totalled hi 12s 6d. There was a credit balant £33 2s 6d.