BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

RICCARTON,

A meeting of tho Riccarton Borough Coun cil was held last night. Present—Mesur J. Brown (Mayor), Councillors A. D. l'ori A Steere, H. Gudsell, W. Dalley, A. Ham, ton, H. W. Wise, T. J. Stokee, and J. Mu. nings. The financial statement showed receir £218 4s lOd, and expenditure JE329 12a 8d The Lighting Committee's report stir, that the number of consumers was K while the Supervisor had arranged with t-L. Waimairi Countv Council to disconncct their load from that" of Riccarton next month, when the maximum demand would be taken, and the Council would be charged pro rata on tho present quarter.—The report was adopted. Councillor "Wise asked whether it waa a fair thing that the Waimairi County Council should throw a portion of the borough into darkness early in the morning. He stated that ho himself had suffered considerably inconvenience during the small hours as a result of tho lights being turned out before tho natural light became apparent. He moved, "That the Waimairi Council should be asked to alter their time-switch for the winter." . Cr. Dalley seconded the motion. Cr. Stokes further moved, "That the Waimairi County Council be asked to erect more lights along the road round part of Hagley £ark." It was finally resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Lighting Committee. A letter waa received from the National Efficiency Board, pointing' out possible economies, and asking the Council to do ite best in effecting such. —Tho letter was received.

Tlio Department of Internal Affairs wrote relative to the observation' of Ansae Day.

Cr. Gudsell said that they would have co fall in with the City in this matter, but ho thought it a pity that the date of Anzac Day had been altered. On his motion the letter was received.

Tho Mayor reported on a conference held between representatives of tho Council and the Wharenui Bath Committee, saying that it had been, agreed t-o leave arrangements as at present, with the exception that the Council should do the pumping for tho -baths. A notice of motion would .therefore be required to alter the wording of the' old agreement. Mr C. A. R. Thornton was formally elected to the poeition of Town Clerk,- amid expressions of goodwill, NEW . BRIGHTON. A meeting of tlie New Brighton Borough Council waa held laat night. Present—Tho Mayor (Mr J. A. Fleaher), and Crs. E. A. Leaver, T. Cox, F. Christian, C. H. Winny, W. Bellamy, J. Buxton, J. Aiugcr. An •apology was received from Cr. J. Ashley, who ia seriously ill

Tlio committee of tho Council recommended as follows:—That arrangements bo made with tho Tramway Board for I®e watering of Sea View road and tho Esplanade; that six chains of barricade he croc ted from Bowhill road northwards; that the unexpended balance of tho North and West loan bo placed on "fixed deposit for two years; that steps be taken to effectively deal with, boys tampering with the fire engine.— Adopted.

It was decided to inform Mrs Hucks that Ozono Cafe could not at present bo used for the purpose of a boarding-house. Correspondence was received from the National Efficiency Board, Wellington, but it waa decided that at present the Council could do nothing in connexion therewith. ' Tho treasurer reported as follows:—Receipts £183 63 led, expenditure £51 16s, bank balanco dr. £1650, bank balance cr. £554 'Os 3d. Six building permits had been granted during tho past fortnight, of a total value of £1125, _ making a grand total of 104 to date, having an aggregate .value of £20,295, being an increase over same period last year of £10,290. —Adopted. A petition signed by 163 ratepayers and householders, waa presented, praying that the necessary steps be taken to grant the Education Department tho freehold upon which the School at I\forth Brighton stands. —Referred to tho committee for consideration, It was decided to obtain tho necessary authority to rnie'e by loan £10,000, for South Brighton puypceeo, and £950 (special loan), for expenditure at North Brighton. LYTTELTON. Til© Lyttelton. Borough Council met last evening. Present—Crs. J. T. Norton (Deputy-Mayor), M. J. Miller, T. Hempatalk, W. T. Foster, C. E. Johnston, and J, 11. Webb. A resolution of sympathy was passed with the relatives of the late Mr James Grubb. In the matter of a petition for improvements on Broncbly road, the Works Committee recommended that the formation of an asphalt footpath and channelling should not be proceeded with at present, but necessary repairs to the road and footway be put in. liand as soon as possiblo.—Adopted. It was decided to invite the Department of Internal Affairs tO' apoint an expert to examine the records in the Lyttelton Public Library, and to submit to the Council a list of any books or records that may be of interest to the Dominion Library, the Council to use its discretion whether it retains any of tho records selected. The. Works Committer, recommcndcd that a wall be erected to protect the cutting in front of Mr Fletcher's property on the Governor's Bay road, at an estimated cost of £35.— Adopted. Mr Johnston moved"That the increase of on© penny per 100 ft that had been made in the price of gas should not tako effect until six months from April Ist." He submitted that the Council had acted rather hastily in the matter, without giving it, sufficient consideration. Cr Hempstalk said the Council had to some extent been led astray by the information upon which it bad decided to make the increase. , Cr Miller said that as business men the Council could not have done otherwise than make the increase. Cr. Foster and the Deputy-Mayor alao i spoke against the motion ... . Cr. Johnston said that ho was bringing the •matter forward in the inUreet of the ratepayers, many of whom were complaining of the Council's action in raising the pnee of gas when the cost of living was already too high. The motion wae lost* Th© financial statement showed raemts £1122 17s 3d, expenditure £1013 oo 4d. The 1 debit balance, including temporary deposits, j leas district fund account, was £10,919 7b 2d.