RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5586, 20 January 1879, Page 6

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

This Council met on Friday evening at 7.35 p.m.; present—The Mayor and Councillors Robinson, Burt, Boyd, Thorne, Luxton, Johnstone, and Cone. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read : From Mr J. Fulton, declining to give the necessary land to widen tho continuation of School street, but stating that he was prepared to sell to the Council, or to any person anxious to have the road opened, at a reasonable cost. ■ Some discussion ensued on this, when Councillor Boyd suggested that probably it would answer the purpose if Mr Percival would allow a wicket gate to bo erected at each end of the road so as to accommodate the children going to school. Councillor Burt moved—“ That the matter be allowed to rest as it is, as the people interested did not appear to move in the matter.”

Councillor Luxton seconded the resolution. Some of the Councillors thought that the owners of property adjacent should, in their own interests, see to the road being made the requisite width, and eventually the resolution ,vpAcarsied.. -- . .. u ■ From Mr. Broham, .Superintendent, of ToliCe* asking , the'.Council !to ..supply, the Hangiora PoUogiwith a.iistiiOf - .those I peisoUs; /ilhohiye during any,;month, ;iwd furnish Uieae lists monthJySuso. that they would thus fo.kept informed, and the provisions of the .Dog Hujjsance Ordinance thus’le more materially enforced. The Council instructed the Town Clerk to carry out this suggestion, considering it a step in the right direction. PETITION. A petition was read, signed by a number of influential residents in the Borough, asking the Council to apply to the railway authorities for permission to open up and maintain a road across the railway reserve from Burt’s store through to the East Town Belt by a street formerly laid out, and called Blackett street.

Councillor Burt moved —“That the petition be referred to the railway authorities.” He staled that a former application had been made by the Soad Board, but that had been refused because the site proposed by the Board for the roadway was where the Oxford line and the main lines were spread over at such a width. He had spoken of the matter to one of the principal officials, and he had learnt that there would be no difficulty in haying such an application granted, as there was already a crossing over the line, and there would be no interference with the road traffic except when the trains were in, at which time the road across the lino would be stopped, as the gate was then shut. He pointed out that though the length was over a mile from High street, there was not a single crossing in the whole distance throughout the Borough. Councillor Cone seconded the motion, and pointed out the difficulty the owners of land and residents on the East town belt had in getting to the railway station, and also the number of people who frequent the recreation reserve, and who had to travel some distance to reach a point only four chains distant. The Mayor recommended the addition of the words “ and that the matter be strongly urged by the Council.” . All the Councillors present urged the necessity of the roadway being opened as soon as possible, and the motion was carried unanimously. subvbtob’s eepoht.

The Surveyor reported that pipes had been laid across High street into South street, and recommended that the footpath be formed from the comer of South street to the Boys’ School entrance, so that the uniformity of the path might be preserved. Councillor Boyd took objection to the manner in which the pipes had been laid across the road to tap the gully. It had been laid down by the Council that the water which formerly ran down the gully through private lands should be conducted down the side channels of the streets, and yet the first work that had been done since the Council had decided upon this, was not in accordance with that principle. The pipes in question had been laid too low, and had been unnecessarily carried through to the gully, thereby incurring unwarranted expense.

Councillor Burt moved “ That the matter be left in the hands of the Surveyor." He thought the trifling expense of making the footpath to a uniform level was immaterial, and it was very unsightly at present. Councillor Thome seconded the motion, as he understood that the present channel was toe deep and dangerous, and in the interests of the 300 or 400 children attending the school, he thought the expense was warranted.

Councillor Boyd moved, as an amendment, —“ That until the Council is in possession of the levels of the town, no further works be undertaken.”

Councillor Cone seconded this, as it would conduce to a more systematic way of working, and what was done would then be done in a uniform manner, and would not require to be undone; and as they hoped to have the map in a short time, it would not hurt to leave the matter for a while. Councillor Eobinson did not see what the levels had to do with it, as the Council had met and instructed the Surveyor how to act in this matter, and he had carried out their instructions. The minutes would show that.

Councillor Boyd was about to deny that these instructions had been given, when the Mayor called him to order for speaking so often, and retarding the business. The Mayor proceeded to put the amendment and resolution, when a tie resulted. He, however, gave his casting vote for the amendment and declared it carried.

Councillor Burt at oace suggested the advisability of discharging the men employed by the Council, and selling the horse, cart, tools, &c., till the levels were ready. (Laughton) The remainder of the Surveyor’s report being read, The Mayor strongly urged the formation of a footpath alongside the Oxford Bailway line from North street to Carter’s lane, as had been-threatened with proceedings if they walked bn the Bailway line itself. He would willingly form the piece in front of his property, but he thought that arrangements snould be made for it to be formed all through. Councillor Cone moved, “thatit be loft with the Mayor to arrange with the oirners of property abutting on the line for the formation of the path. The Mayor, however, declined this, and the subject dropped. INSPECTOR'S BEPOBT. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that Mr S. "Wilson had somewhat abated the nuisance complained of in South street, and that it would be completed as soon as possible, BIIfAKOIAIi. The Town Clerk reported the credit balance to be £357 9s 4d. Accounts to the amount of £35 were paid. He also reported that the valuation of the Borough had been completed —and that it represented a total annual value of £10,440 16s, as against that for 1878 of £5675. OEDIITABY BUSINESS. Councillor Thorne hoped the Councillors would mark the improvements recently made in street, as they had very much im-

proved the appearance as well as the safety of the culverts.

NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Burt gave notice that he would move at the next ordinary meeting— iuat concrete channelling bo laid West Town bolt along the north side of High street and along the Ashley road to join with that no w being made by Wallace, and that the footpath for this distance be asphalted or laid with concrete, the owners of the land abutting on the path to pay half tho cost thereof. HOURS OF MKBTIKG. Councillor Johnstone moved, Conncillor Cone seconded, and it was unanimously agreed “That for the nest three months the Council meet at 7.30 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. The Council then adjourned. _