RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7356, 8 July 1889, Page 3

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ihe ordinary meeting of this Council was held on Friday evening. Present— The Mayor (Mr E. R. Good), and all the Councillors. Letters were read from the Hon. E. Richardson, stating that he had Sromised to support the Christchurch Gas HI in the General Assembly; from the Secretary Charitable Aid Board forwardiug ticket for rations for a recipient; the Town Clerk, Kaiapoi, forwarding cony of by-laws, and giviaxr information r© lumps ; from the Resident Engineer, New Zealand Railways, with reference to the drainage of Blackett street; the Poundkeeper forwarded his quarterly report; the Clerk to the Sydenham Borough Council, request ing the Council to co-operate in endeavoring to effect an alteration, in the new Hospital and Charitable Aid BilL It was decided to allow the last-named letter to lie on the table for consideration. The Works Committee reported that since last meeting of the Council the work oi tilling in the hollow at George street culvert had been gone on with and completed, and a track of .shingle put down so as to allow traflic to go along the street. The contractor for the bridge has taken down both parapets and re-erected them in proper time, and the balance 'due to him should be paid as soon as the Works Committee has inspected the work and found it all right. The contract for the formation oi the footpath in Blackett street has been completed. The contractor for screening shingle has asked for a progress payment of £4, which is recommended. The report was adopted. The Surveyor's report stated that the day men have been engaged in tilling in hollows in George street, in making and cleaning channels in Blackett strept and Church street N., and repairing streets generally. The work of repairing streets and footpaths has greatly increased lately in consequence of the damp weather, and cannot be done as fast as necessary with one horse and dray. The alterations have been made in the valuation roll, and the rate roll has been advertised as open for inspection. Tbe report was adopted, and it was decided to employ another man and a horse to do repairs to streets, &c Cr. Luxton moved—"That the Council sell one of the carts after the next meeting." Seconded by Cr. IvOry, and carried. Cr. Cone said that he had been Chairman ol the Lighting Committee, but as the lamps had been altered without his consent, he wished to resign. The Mayor pointed out that tbe Committee, of which Cr. Cone was Chairman, had ceased to exist some months before the lamps were altered. The financial statement showed the receipts to have been £307 lis for the past month ; dr. balance at the Bank £147 lis lOd. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £67 4s Sd. The Mayor stated that the Council was paying at the rate of 9 per cent, interest for its overdraft, whereas he believed other Councils paid less, and it was decided that the Finance CotowHtteP wait Of* *the Bank Manager with 'reference -to the matter, and endeavor to get the rate reduced. On the motion of Cr. Keir, seconded by Cr. Stephens, the resolution to strike the annual rate was confirmed; Cr. Manning dissenting, Cr. Jennings moved that the lamplightei have his wages increased as he could not continue to do the work at the present rate, but an amendment deferring the matter was carried, the Clerk in the meantime to get some information re new burners. Cr. Cone drew the Works Committee's attention to the bad state oi Alfred street, and thereupon a discussion ensued as to whether the Council had legally taken over that street. It was resolved that the Mayor be requested to consult the Council's solicitor and report at the next meeting. Cr. Jennings drew attention to the necessity for having the names of the principal streets a/fixed tc buildings at the corners of same, and the Clerk was instructed to ascertain the cost, The meeting terminated with a vote ol thanks to the Mayor