RICCARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 13

RICCARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Eiocarton Borough Council sail Ust night. Present: The Mayor (Mr A. i>. Ford), Cre. A. F. Fisher, A. E. Steere, H. Gudsell, H. Mariiire. H. W. Wise, & A. Staples, T. M. Ford, and 11. H. rUnkin. The Mayor-elect (Mr H. -S. $. Kyle) was present, and waa welcomed by the Mayor.

Letters were received from a large number of Borough Councils supporting the Jdccarton Council's proposal that the Mart Highways Board should give assistance to boroughs in the maintenance of main high■w&ys.

In moving that the letters be received, Cr. Steere said that it was very gratifying to see* that practically unanimous support had been received. It showed that the lead was wanted.

Notice was received from the Railway l)e----partment that a wig-wag signal would be installed at the crossing on the fiionrton road.

The Chrislahurch Domains Board notified that the levy on the Council for the year was .{l2O lie.

. The financial statement showed that that rates outstanding for the year 1921-26 amounted to £551 0s 5d- There.were «iao rates outstanding (for the (wo ptwriooa years amounting to £lO3. The various accounts were in credit aa follows: District fund £4792 2s, north-west area loan £B7 Or lOd, electricity loan (extension) £2609 13s 3d, Blair's Comer widening loan £348 17a Ski, roller and truck purchase loan 1383 13s »t, sinking funds (four) £243 8a Bd, renown* electricity £217 6e. The recomnwndation of the "Works, Committee that casual .employees be paid for* Good Friday and Easter Monday waa idopted. Cr. \\Ue expressed appreciation of the work of the staff during the recent ctorm. The report of the Electricity Committee stated that the storm on Friday, April 17th, , occasioned a great doal of work, tut Uw» faults were minor ones, ond only in one case did a consumer go without light for the who!* evening. The storm, however, affected the street tamps extensively, over 'birty replacements being required in the past four weeks. Five defective poles were being replaced. The committee expressed appreciation of the highly efficient services of Mr 11. Sargent, borough electrical engineer, during the voir. The meeting, being the last assembly of the present Council, the Mayor outlined the work of the past year, and congratulated the Council on carrying out several extensive improvements during their term of office. He was pleased to say that the Council had * always gone into matters carefully before committing ratepayers, and this polity had proved to be correct, because, gaaaralry speaking, no mistakes had been madi on • policy matters. He recommended advance- J ment with caution as the best policy to * pursue. In the course of detailed rater- I ence to the various attain of th* boroagh. . the Mayor aaid he was pleased to sea that the suggestion he put forward in regard to lighting Hagley Park was likely to lead to definite results before the approaching winter. The dangerous railway crossing on the Hiccarton road would shortly be equipped with an automatic moving signal, •nd this should do away with the eerwas danger to which traffic was subjected after the withdrawal of the signalman about U-30 each evening. He was also pleased to relate that tho efforts of the Council to secure assistance towards construction and maintenance on hiccarton road, and other juauj highways, in different parts of New Zealand. had been successful. In conclusion, the Mavor thanked the Council, and both the inside and outside staffs, for the axautaneo they had given him. Councillor Steere said that it was very welcome news when the Highwsya Board announced that consideration would be given to the claims of boroughs. He thought that, through the Mayor, the Hiccarton Borough Council could claim the credit for bringing the matter up. The town clerk war given authority to sue for overdue accounts. Councillor T. M. Ford askerl why the Council bad not bad the balance-sheet for 1923-\!4. He had been told that it waa in the hands of the Audit Department, but he went to the Audit Office, and found it nl not there. An explanation as to the progreaa of tfca work on the balance-sheet was made by Mr A. L. Gee, former town clerk. The Mayor said he thought Councillor Ford had displayed want of tact, and rather exceeded his duty, in goina; to tho Audit Department over the heads of the Financial Committee. "It was a duty vou owed to the Finance Committee,* said the Msyor, "and the Audit Department did not appreciate yonr interference.** Councillor Ford said thai ".he chairman of the Finance Committee had also tried to get the ba'.anee-aheet. Councillor Fisher aaid he had accepted the explanation given by Mr Gee. He had never been to the Audit Department, and was not likely to go. On the motion of Councillor Steere, the Council passed a resolution expressing appreciation of the work of the borough staff.