ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3419, 26 March 1879, Page 3

ASHBURTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of this Council was held on Monday evening ■ present — His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Saunders, Friedlander, Parkin, and Orr. mayob's statement. His Worship said that since last meeting the Judgo of Assessment Court had sat at ABhburton, and the Council had objected to tho whole of tho Roll as prepared by the Valuator. An extension of time had been granted to the Council to enable a new Roll altogether to be prepared. The by-laws had been assented to by the Law officers of the Crown, and ho would suggest that this Council compel those living in the main streets, such as East street, to havo earth pan-closets fixed in lieu of those now existing for sanitary purposes. The Council would have laid before it a circular from fche New Zealand Commissioner of the Sydney Exhibition, with reference to the details connected with entering and forwarding articles to it by intending exhibitors. Owing to the great increase of the work necessary in preparing the new valuation roll, lie had ordered on his own responsibility an additional payment of £10 to be made. Two cab-drivers had applied to tho Council for drivers' licenses. Something ought to be done re the storage of kerosene within tlie Borough, and only small quantities should be allowed to be stored in the town. Steps ought to be taken by tho Council to draw the attention of the Government to the necessity that existed for the appointment of another Resident Magistrate in fche County, as the timo of the Justices in the town was taken up with attending to the police cases that wero heard at the Court nearly every day. Now tha'v a Court had been established at South Rakaia, the attendance of the Resident Magistrate would be required there as well. correspondence. The following correspondence was read : — j From Mr Hardy-Johnston, forwarding his account for payment in connection with his I visit to Ashburton on account of the Council. From Mr K. Mossman, drawing the attention of the Council to the condition of the drain in Burnett street. From Mr C. M. Cambridgo, Hon. Secretary Fire Brigade, asking the Council to hand over the £50 grant voted to the Brigade. From Mr J. M'Rae, applying for a cab license. From Mr E. Oughton, applying for a cab license. ASHBUBTON TIBE BEIGADE. The Council decided to hand over the sum of £50 granted to the Brigade at a previous meeting of the Council, and to approve of the Brigade's by-laws as read. CAB LICENSES Tho Mayor said that great care should be taken in granting licenses to cabmen of good character, as it would save considerable trouble hereafter. Councillor Parkin moved, Councillor Orr seconded — " Thafc licenses be granted to the two applicants now boforo the Council." Carried. BURNETT STBEET DBAIN. Councillor Saunders moved, and Councillor Parkin seconded — "Thafc tho attention of the Nuisance Inspector bo drawn to section No. 36 of the by-laws, and enforce the proper carrying out of the cleansing of fche drain referred to in Mr Mossman's letter."

Councillor Saunders proposed, and Councillor Friedlander seconded — " That the Commissoner be requested to reserve the section, as pointed out on tho Engineer's map, for the purposo of depositing the excreta upon." Carried. KEROSENE. The Mayor suggested tho advisability of enforcing tho by-law with reference to the storage of kerosene in the town. Ifc was ultimately decided to postpone the consideration of this matter until the nexfc ordinary meeting, and in the meantime to obtain tracings of a auitable reserve. WELLS. I'he Mayor thought fchafc wells ought fco be sunk in preference to fche driving of pipes. Ho was opposed to the latter mode. Councillor Friedlander thought that aa the Council had already decided upon driving pipes for a water supply, they should proceed with them at once. Councillor Saunders suggested that if the Council resolved to discard fcho tender received thafc evening, fchey could leave the matter to the Water Supply Committee. Ifc was decided fco drive four wells opposite tho following places : — Bank of New Zealand, Fowler's store, the Royal Hotel, and Quill's Hotel. valuation boll. The Council decided to approve the action of the Mayor in granting an additional sum of £10 for the increased work of making out a new roll. FOOTPATHS. The Mayor thought that the Works Committoe should undertake to shingle the footpaths of some of tho by-streets. A breadth of two feet only of fine shingle laid on the footpaths would be sufficient for some time. Tho matter was referred to the Works Committee to act according to the funds at the disposal of the Council for this purpose. RESIDENT MAGISTEATE'S COUBT. The Mayor asked the Council to pass a resolution asking the Government to appoint a Resident Magistrate for the County of Ashburton, who would make Ashburton his headquarters. Councillor Saunders said ho agreed with the Mayor that it was necessary to appoint another Resident Magistrate. Ho would movo — " That this Council ask the Minister of Justico to appoint a Resident Magistrate for Ashburton, and call his attention to tho insufficient accommodation in tho present building, and ask that a new Court-house may be erected at once." Carried. WOBKS COMMITTEE. The reporfc of fchis Committee was read, pointing out that there were several works which required to be done iv the Borough. The report was agreed to. OUTFALL DRAIN. Councillor Campbell said that this question was a very important matter, and one which should be carried out, whatever the cost of ib may bo. Thero was an increasing amount of sickness, and if fcho ratepayers wero asked for permission to borrow a sum of money sufficient to carry out the work it could be commenced afc once. He would movo the notice of motion standing in his namo. Councillor Saunders agreed with Councillor Campbell, and thought thafc as fcho matter had been fully discussed at previous meetings of tho Council, it would ouly remain to arrange for a loan for fchis purpose. He had greafc pleasure in seconding the resolution. Tho Mayor said th&t the Council would have, of course, to consider whafc amount of money fchey would require for the purpose, before making a commencement. Ifc was a very difficult matter to raise a loau j ust now, without going into tho London market. As it was a small sum this latter course was out of the question.

Counoillor Campbell said he thought that tho opinion of the ratepayers should bo obtained in the meantime, and then steps could be taken to secure a sum of money necessary to do the work when the money market was easier. By getting the ratepayers' authority at once, they would be prepared to apply for the sum of money it was proposed to borrow. Councillor Parkin thought they should borrow a sufficient sum of money to carry out the side-channelling and water supply, as well as the drain.

Councillor Campbell said he would amend his motion as suggested by Councillor Parkin, which would read aa follow : — " That Bteps be at onco. taken to bave the outfall drain and side-channelling formed, that the water-works schomo be completed, and that authority be obtained from the ratepayers to borrow the sum necessary to complete theso works." Carried. TOWN OLEBK'b SALABY. It was unanimously decided to increase the ! present salary of tho Town Clerk by £50 per I annum. PAT SHSBT. I The fortnightly pay sheet was next con*

sidered, and accounts amounting to £214 7s 9d were presented and passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.