ASHBURTON.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5860, 25 June 1884, Page 3

ASHBURTON.

The usual meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present—His Worship th<i Mayor, Cre. Bird, Harrison, St. Hill, Friedlander, A. Orr, J. Orr, Sealey, Liggett, and Nelson. The Maxob stated that the overdraft had been reduced to £636 15s 3d. After the correspondence had been dealt with and the Engineer's report read and adopted, a discussion ensued as to the advisability of co-operating with, the Charitable Aid Committee with a view of bringing the Contagious Diseases Act in force throughout the county. On. the motion of Cr. Habkieoh, seconded by Cγ. A. Oeb, the question was held over for further consideration at the next meeting of the' Council. A fetter was then read from the

Borough Solicitor, stating, unless some araangement existed between Mr St. Hill and Mr Ferriman, the Council could take no proceedings to compel Mr Ferriman to erect brick walls between, the Town Hall and the wooden building recently removed from the Bailway Beserve on to the eection between the Town Hall and the Somerset Hotel, fir. St. Hill gave an explanation of his action in the matter, and stated that when he took the contract to move the building Mr Ferriman promised to have the brick walls erected, but Mr Ferriman had broken faith with him (Cγ. St Hill). The speaker was prepared to assist the Council in the matter, but had been advised by his solicitor not t* give up certain papers, he held in connection with the contract, and he could not do so, but was prepared to allow the document to be copied. He had been deceived in the matter and placed in a very awkward position. A long and animated discussion ensued, several Councillors urging that the least Cγ. St. Hill could do would be to lay the original documents before the Council. Cγ. St. Hill declined to do this, and ultimately Cγ. J. Okb moved—"That Cr. St. Hill's explanation is unsatisfactory and unworthy ofjhim as a Councillor." This was seconded by Cr. Bibd. Further discussion ensued, after which Cr. Fbiedlandkb moved to the effect—"That as Cr. St. Hill had been advised by his solicitor net to give np the original papers, the matter should be left in abeyance till next meeting." The amendment was seconded by Cr. Sealt, but on being put was negatived. Cr. St. Hill then left the table, on the motion being put it was carried, there being only two dissentients. During the discussion Cr. St. Hill informed the Council that if the motion was carried he should resign. On the Mayor announcing that the motion was carried, Cr. St. Hill handed in his resignation to the Mayor. The Council then adjourned.