ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7157, 19 September 1888, Page 6

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council was ncld on Monday evening. Present—The Mayor and Crs. Williamson, H. Friedlander, Tucker, Scott, McFarlane, Scaly, Bird, Thomas. Crs. Williamson and McFarlane, two of the newly elected Councillors, signed the usual declaration. The M -.yor said that the debit balance at the bank

was £1337 10s Bd, and that sams to the amount of JE&S 13s had been received since last meeting. The amount of rates outstanding was £412 12s. Correspondence was read—From Messrs P. andD. Duncan, applying for further reduction in the rent of a reserve occupied by them. It was decided to inform Messrs Duncan that no ifurther reduction could be made. From Canterbury Fire Insurance Association, stating that their contribution towards the purchase of a steam fire engine would be paid when the engine arrived, and asking whether the engine had yet been ordered. The matter of ordering the engine had at a former meeting been left in the hands of a Committee, and the Mayor was instructed to reply to the Association's letter when the order had been sent Home. From Mr "W. A. Panel!, complaining of the obstruction caused by a verandah in East street. Referred to the Works Committee. The Mayor, who had at the last meeting been instructed to inquire into the legality of payments made by the Council to the Western Fire Brigade, reported that section 347 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, gave the Council power to make such payments. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Cγ. Williamson — " That the Western Brigade be (paid a subsidy of £7 ' IDs for the past half year." An amendment by Cγ. Thomas,'"That the Brigade be paid a subsidy at the rate of £15 pec annum till the arrival of the {steam, fire engine," ■was ruled out of order by the Mayor, inasmuch as it conveyed practically the same meaning as the motion, d>. Scott apologised for the absence of Mr Keir, who had been elected to a seat on the Council, and who was at present in Melbourne. He moved— That Mr Keir he granted six weeks leave of absence." A point was raised as to whether the Council had power to grant leave of absence, Mr Keir not being vet a Councillor, not having signed the declaration and taken his spat. Ultimately the matter was left in the hands of the Mayor to look into. The Mayor reported that the library buildings had been insured in the Standard and Colonial offices for £800. The matter o£ taking proceedings for the recovery <£ outstanding rates ■was left in the hands, of Q<*-t»t-JfcTTft g-ri g, tha-t nnlese Trrfci-ta. •V 9H9si VJWT would not participate to toe ii i*..l i*ri|f ft iij . redaction of rente, and would be sued, forthwith. Miscellaneous business was transacted, and the Council adjoox'xied.j