BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13714, 3 April 1905, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

KAIAPOI. The fortnightly meeting of the KaiaI poi Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening, the Mayor (Mr A. Pearce) and all the Councillors being present. Reports were received from the medical officers that scarlet fever was in three houses in different parts of the town, and that the headmaster at the Borough School had been informed. The clerk, as sanitary inspector, reported that he was satisfied with the condition of the town. The lessees of the borough reserve at Dromore wrote that March 30 would be.a suitable date for the- annual inspection of the reserve. Mr E. E. Papprill wrote asking the Council to defray half cost of dividing fence between his section and Darnley Square, also asking for r.omo sand. The matter of the fence was referred to the Works Committee with power to act, and the request for sand was granted. Mr Stringer forwarded an account for £2 2s for the draft of lease for the old post office. Several Councillors said they could not see that there was a just claim against the Council, the lease not having been ordered by it. After a short discussion it was decided to pay the account. The Fire Prevention Committee reported that the inspector of machinery had recommended certain improvements to the steam lire engine, including the addition of a flywheel. A rough estimate of the cost was £3O. It was decided to have the work carried out. The Works Committee reported that it did not anticipate any danger from the state of the Charles Street north embankment, but it recommended placing willow stakes in a slanting position to prevent washouts in times of flood. The Finance Committee reported that the receipts were £'23 Ms od. The debit balance was £ls 10s 9d. Accounts to £SO 16s 3d were passed for payment. A letter from the secretary of tho Fire Brign.de asking for a donation of £2O to the funds of the brigade to enable liabilities to be mot, was considered. As the Council paid about £7O annually towards the cost of the brigade, it did not feel justified in ceeding to the request. ; ASHBURTON. The Ashburton Borough Council met on Wednesday, the Mayor presiding. The Mayor reported that the balance at the bank stood at debtor £1382 15s lOd, and that tho. receipts since last meeting had amounted to £ll9 Is 6d. A letter was received from the Retail Traders' Association stating that a member of the local fire brigade had canvassed the town for subscriptions towards the cost of sending a team to Dunerlin, and expressed the opinion that the Council should pay expenses of this kind. The letter was received, but no action was taken. The Reserves Committee's report recommended that the Council should refuse to sanction the transfer- of a reserve lease, the conditions of which as regards repairs not having been carried out. The committee also recommended that an alteration should be made in 'the insurance policies held under Glasgow lease, and stated that the committee could not undertake the inspection of all reserve fences belonging to the borough, but would inspect *uch fences as were complained. 1 of. The report was adopted. The special committee set up to consider methods for the destruction of small birds recommended that as the audit office had taken exception to the payment of '£4o by the Council to the County Council the Ashburton Borough Council should in future purchase heads and eggs direct, the Mayor to explain the position to .the County Council. The report was adopted. The Works Committee reported that it had prepared estimates for .the guidance of the in'.'oniing Council. Accounts amounting o £126 2s 3d were passed for payment. The Council then sat as a Domain v'-oard. A deputation from the Ashbarton Sports Association urged that '■he Board should co-operate with the Association in raising £3OO for the construction of a pavilion in the Dc.nain, and suggesting that loan debentures should be issued, sinking tunc! to be provided for by an impost of Id per head on all excursionists visiting Ashburton, the impost to be collected by the Railway Department. The deputation also said that irritation was felt by local cricketers at being ousted 'rom the cricket oval by visiting ex••ursionists. The Board expressed it■•_;lf strongly against any poll tax on isitors, but decided to recommend ■:e matter of raising funds to build a vnvilion to the incoming Board. The ■n-ater reported that it was impos■blo to keep excursionists off the :icket ova!, and suggested that a new iitch should be laid down for the exclusive use of local clubs. It was de■icied to recommend the incoming Board to alter the agreement between :be Association and the Boar.d so as ro give the Board the fullest control >ver all the sports grounds in the Domain, so as to conserve the interests of visitors.