BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 207, 14 June 1932, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

WATER CHARGES TO SCHOOLS. A REDUCTION ASKED FOR. The Ashburton Borough Council met last evening, when there were present —The Mayor (Mr W. H. Woods), Messrs R. Kerr, R. A. Collins, W. H. Robinson, E. H. Orr, H. R. O. McElrea, J. Watson., F. J. E. Smallbone, F. W. Seldon, W. H. Rundle, and J. Thompson. The financial statement showed that receipts since the previous meeting had totalled £425 Bs, the chief items being: Rates £56 Os lOd, rents £54 2s 3d. The Public Works Department wrote regarding the section of the Act which "required District Highway Councils to submit to the board each year recommendations as to the public highways which should be declared main highways, and asking the Council to place before the Highways Council any declarations. The Postmaster, Ashburton, wrote concerning the arrangement which had been made whereby a general reduction would be effected in the premium chargeable to local authorities for the insurance of workers under Sscheme No. 5. The insurance companies affected had arranged to operate a pool, charging 25s per £IOO of wages paid and recoverable from the Unemployment Board. The scheme would probably operate from about July 4. In cases where local authorities had already made their arrangements for the year, the necessary adjustments of premiums would be made by the companies. * The Town Clerk (Mr W. Patterson) said he thought it would pay the Council handsomely to fall in. with the suggestions. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Town Clerk to deal with. The Canterbury Education Board wrote that for some time past it had been concerned at the heavy annual bill it had to meet with respect to water supply to public schools. Since the reduction by the Government of administration and maintenance grants it had been imperative for the board to explore every avenue of economy, but there had not been any ' appreciable lessening of expenditure, and the cost was more than the board was able to bear. The board therefore asked the Council to consider making a special reduction to schools.

Mr Seldon said that he thought the matter should be referred to the Water Committee. The Mayor said that the Council would have to be very careful what was done in the matter of a reduction. The schools paid only for the water, being charged no sewage rate. The Town Clerk pointed out that the charges for water for the two primary schools amounted to about £3O. _ The High School was not included in request, as it was not under the Canterbury Education Board. It was decided to refer the question to the Water Committee foj: a report. A report on an inspection qf East Street surfacing was made by the Council's consulting engineer (Mr R. B. Cotton), who stated that the pavement had stood the twelve months wear very well. Material for repairing a. few spots where the surface was slightly worn and where further wear might develop would be supplied by the contractors. He recommended the payment of the final instalment of the cost of the work. In connection with the application by a local taxi driver for the renewal of his license, a police report suggested that before the license was renewed, the applicant should be warned that if he continues with his present conduot he would be liable to lose his license. It was stated that the man in question was a very dangerous driver, and never should have had a license. It was decided to instruct the Town Clerk to confer with Sergeant W. T. Kelly, and to issue the license in the meantime. It was decided to protest to the Audit Department against the scate of charges, for auditing, the matter being discussed at length in committee. Domain Board. Sitting as a Domain Board, the Council received the report of the Curator on work done by his staff in the past two weeks. Mr R. B. Lambert wrote asking that the pine trees in the Domain near the gate opposite his house in Peter Street West be either removed or topped, as they almost entirely shaded his property until 9 a.m. or later all through the winter months. They were also so tall that their presence was a menace to public safety. One tree was already leaning, and was apparently only kept from falling by being held up by adjacent trees. Being a tree lover he was loth to see them removed, still they were deteriorating, and had outlived their usefulness, while they were also •depreciating the residential properties overshadowed by them. The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee, with power to act. Mr Thompson said he thought the time had come when the Council should have a full report on the state of the Domain as regards what trees should be removed and what new trees should be replanted. Many of the trees were getting old, and needed replac-

jng. In a letter to the Council, Mr A. J. Templeman, wrote offering 4s 6d a cord for the timber in the trees now standing behind the pavilion. Mr T. Cairns also wrote offering 2s 6d a cord for certain trees. The Mayor said the thought the board would be better advised to carry on with the work itself. It was decided to advise the writers that the Council did not intend taking any action in the matter. Cemetery Board. Sitting as a Cemetery Board, the Council received the financial statement, which showed that there was a credit balance of £l3 18s 9d. Receipts since the previous meeting had totalled £67 12s 6d. ,