KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2500, 7 January 1869, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

+ Tuesday, Jan. 5. Present—The Mayor, Councillors Hall, Middleton, Oram, Dudley, Kerr, Birch, and Newnham. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read, also the letters received : From his Honor the Superintendent, handing over the Pound to the Borough Council, under the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1867. From Mr A. F. N. Blakiston, acknowledging receipt of copy of the address to his Excellency the Governor, intended to be presented by the Borough Council on the occasion of his visit, and stating that as the Governor would visit Kaiapoi, that would probably be the best place to present it. From Messrs Dudley and Barker, agents for the London and Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company, requesting the Council to send in a formal application for renewal of policy. The draft of the address to his Excellency, as prepared by the sub-committee appointed for that purpose, was read and approved. The Mayor said that he had instructed the Clerk to acknowledge his Honor's letter handing over the Pound. Councillor Hall said arrangements must now be made about letting it. The Mayor asked if any member could give any data as to what the present poundkeeper's arrangements with the Government were. If not, he would be in Christchurch shortly, and would take steps to ascertain. Councillor Hall moved that the Mayor be instructed to wait upon the Government, and ascertain the particulars of Mr Lynskey's tenure.

Councillor Dudley seconded the motion, which was carried. , The Clerk was directed to make the formal ' application for the policy requested by the . agents of the London and Liverpool Insu- ■ ranee Company. In the absence of a written report from the Public Works Committee, the Mayor stated that a hole in the approach to the 'bridge had been filled up ; the artesian well in Cookson street had been repaired ; a hole had also been filled up in the footpath adjoining it. Councillor Oram asked the Clerk how he was getting on with the rate collection. The Clerk said that he intended taking out twenty summonses for defaulters next morning. , The only item for the pay-sheet, clerk's salary, £4 3s 4d,was passed and ordered to be paid. An application from the Chief Postmaster for 6s 9d, amount paid at the ferry : by the letter-carrier during the time the traffic on the bridge was suspended, was presented by Councillor Dudley. After some discussion, the amount was ordered to be paid. Councillor Hall moved that the draft address to Sir George Bowen be adopted, and forwarded to Mr Craig for engrossing, &c—Carried. Councillor Kerr moved that the Clerk prepare a list of all persons in arrear for rates, and submit it at next meeting. In doing so, he took occasion to notice that a very small amount of rates had been got in lately. Councillor Hall seconded the motion, and it was carried. The Mayor said that he and Councillor Birch had waited on the Government that clay, on the bridge question. He requested Councillor Birch to state what had transpired between them. Councillor Birch stated that, in accordance with instructions from the Council, the Mayor and he had waited upon his Honor, to ask him to delegate any powers he had in the matter of the bridge to the Borough Council, and further to speak about the bridge generally. They also saw the other members of the Executive, and the matter was considered from all points. He might state that the Executive were generally favourable to forwarding their wishes in the matter. They, however, wished the Borough Council to embody their request in writing, which would be similarly responded to, and would be binding ou them, and on any future Government, In discussing the question financially with the Government, the deputation informed them that the Borough Council did not wish to avail themselves of the I'OUO which they could borrow from the Government, because a condition was entailed by which the had power to determine the tolls at anytime ; they would therefore sooner borrow the money on the debentures, which the Council have the power to issue. Considering that the bridge was in the centre of the town, and that they had to maintain an opening and keep it in repair, it was only fair that a toll should he charged upon it, Added to this, Kaiapoi had alwayß in times past received less from the Government than theother municipalities, the bridge being regarded as an endowment. Ae the Council might not be able for two or three months lo raise the money, he might st>ite that the Government would in the meantime honour their draft. It was necessary, under the Act, that the Superintendent build the bridge; the Borough Council must therefore, in the first place, act as his agents in doing so. After it was completed his Honor would convey the bridge to the Council. The Council would in reality have the power to build a bridge in any way they liked, and employ their own engineer, provided they left an opening thirty feet wide,

and kept it in repair. Mr Birch further said that he did not think there would be any indiscretion on his part in informing them that his Honor had mentioned that the plaintiff in a certain action liad made a demand upon him stating that he had failed to Ret any satisfaction from the Borough Council. Acting under advice, he (the Superintendent) had told hira to go back to his own solicitor. Councillor Oram moved," That the Mayor, Councillors Dudley and Birch be a committee to writo to the Government about handing over the building of the bridge to the Borough Council."—Carried. The Mayor drew attention to the Governor's intended visit to Kniapoi during the ensuing week, He should like to know what was to be done, 'flu Superintendent had shewn him a telegram, in which his Excellency stated that lie " particularly requested

that no expense be incurred." After some discussion, it was resolved—"That the entertainment of his Exeulluney be left to his Worship the Mayor." Councillor Buddie having resigned as n member of the Signing Committee, Councillor Birch moved that Councillor Newnlmni be empowored to sign cheques for the Council, in the place of Councillor Buddie resigned.— Carried. Councillor Birch moved that nil tradesmen, printers, &c, not having contract!) with the Council be requested to forward claims monthly, or they will not be recognised.— Carried. The Clerk was instructed to lay the petty cash book on the table at all meetings.