AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 299, 30 May 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 28

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Council was held on the above date at their office, Balguerie street. Present—Crs Penlington, Bruce, Cullen, O'Reilh", Henning, Meeeh, Beecher, and Bridge. In the absence of his Worship the Mayor, Cr Penlington. was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. , ' The Clerk read the outward correspondence. Letters were read— From Mr C. F. Barker, explaining his action in the Ashburton reserves. He enclosed cheque for £203 19s 6d, being half-year's rent received by iiim for these reserves, less commission and expenses. Mr Barker further stated that, as the lease had fallen through, he had thought it his duty to re-let them. From Mr W. Montgomery, Esq., acknowledging receipt of resolutions passed at a public meeting, and enclosing letter from Mr Blair on the subject. [We have already published this letter in the Mail.] From the- Colonial Secretary (circular) stating that iii future his department would simply acknowledge receipt of by-laws from Municipal Corporations, expressing no opinion as to their validity. From Mr E. C. Latter, Deputy Land Tax Commissioner, asking the Council to allow the valuation, roll lor the Borough of Akaroa to be deposited at their office for inspection. From Mr J. J. Kissel, calling the Council's attention to the unprotected state of the road between his premises and the commencement of the sea wall. From Mr 11. Newton, complaining of the overgrown state of the gorse hedge on the lower side of the Aylmer's Valley road. ASHBUJiTON RESERVES, Cr Henning moved that Mr Barker be authorised to let these reserves, n'rst communicating to the Council any offers he may have received.

The motion was seconded by Cr Bruce. Cr O'Reilly would like Mr Barker to be asked whether he would recommend the reserves to be let in small farms or in one block. The Council had gone to the expense of having them surveyed into small farms. He himself thpught* thatMt would pity the Council better to have- them let in small-blocks. \" '^ .At this; stige of the proceedings, Cr Beecher entered the room. Having been absent from several meetings, he asked to beiinformed of the state ofjthe matter. JMr Barker's letters were read again, whereupon Cr Beecher seconded Cr O'Reilly's amendment, which was then put and carried. With regard to the request contained in :.]^Kisser^lßlE£er,'PpTD , spot referred/to wa's.ihe'worst in the irkik street. He thought something should be done in the matter at once. Cr Beecher thought the ditch from Mr Kissel's to -Mr .Armstrong's should be filled in. Drainage was the most important matter to be attended to in Akaroa, which he was sorry to say was becoming'more unhealthy every year. Or Cullen would propose that a culvert be made. Cr Bridge thought that no half measures would be sufficient. He hoped Or , Cullerr; would withdraw his motion. He would\ move that the Engineer be asked to report' on the matter. Cr Cullen would withdraw his motion, but would propose as an amendment that the engineer be asked to report on the reforming of ;Lavaud ptreet,; including foptr. paths and drainage, as far! ae« Lepron's shop. . .../.... : Or Bridge was quite willing fo embody the amendment in..his motion. He _had_ refrained from asking for more solely on the grounds of ecjonpniy. _ The motion Avas carried, the report to embrace the worit as far as the Mail office. V ■" : ' * J : -> ; ■ ' -•' ' GORSE HEDGES. '} - On Mr Newton's letter being taken consideration, Cr Beecher • moved that notice* be given to all persons: having gorse 1 hedges to keep them. trimmed in accordance with the by-laws. * Carried. ! ' REPORT OF WORKS COMMITTEE,.;. . ; ; Cr Meech brought up the report of this committee. The committee reported that they had arranged with MrMorey to : carry out the erection of the paliSading ori the bridges, and also the action taken; jn various minor matters. They recommended that; as the footpaths in Upper Jollie street are being formed, the formation of the •'roadway should be proceeded with, and- that the Chairman be authorized to' employ carters to place gravel on all footpaths in the town when necessary. .. . , . , , ■ Cr O'Reilly would like to know what amount of work was going to be necessary about these bridges. He understood that the bridges were too short, and had to be lengthened. (■,;.. Cr Meech explained what the committee had done in the matter. Cr O'Reilly expressed himself satisfied with the explanation, and the report was adopted. PAYMENTS...., The following accounts were passed for payment:— Maguire (labor) £14 0 Malcolrnson (freight) 7 10 4 Town Clerk's salary ... 8 6 8 Manning (lighting) 6 5 01 Town Hall Co. 1 10 0 F. Hahn (rent of ground as thoroughfare) 3 0 0 Leprou, lamps (subject to approval of WorkstJommittee)' 4 rl2 ~ 0 £32'< 8 0- . NEW LAMPS. Cr O'Reilly asked whether the Works Committee had taken any steps to have the new lamps lighted. ._ Cr Meech thought the Council should fix the rate to be paid.- -He would- aleocall the. Council's .attention ( tp a the fact that it would be 3 necepajj f/tft Jappoint; someone t<? 'Supervise" the '"lighting gen-i erally. "'"" '""""""' """*"" "* --— -~--■: j The Chairman of the Works Committee was authorized to arrange with the presents contractor, the charge not to exceed ap-i)| rota rate. ;•-'. '■ ' ■' . t \ Cγ Meeich was appointed to supervise the lighting. ■ ' : i DRAINAGE. ' ' ! j • Cr Meech brought the question of drain-; age before the Council. He thought that! a scheme of water supply and 'drajntigje should be taken in hand. He notice of motion-atnext jiieeJ;ing:';fhat'tbe Council should offer a bonus ffsir jthe be'stj scheme for each of these purposes. ~• ,',\ j Cr Beecher was in favor of these.' mat-j ters being taken in haiidi -- He Juid nol doubt of the practicability p£ :< botti sch'emes.)/-;. ; -> r\ ,- . j- j> v \; ; ; ,y(j j 'hospital. v " v ~'a . Cr.Meeeh.said he:had lately yjsjtedjtljfl hospital, and thought that as the Council were charged" their share of the expenses of this institution, they had a right to see that necessary conveniences were prb-j vided.. Hβ enumerated various urgent wants, and thought that the Council should communicate with the Christchurch Board and see that these necessary improvements be carried out. BATE. Cr Meech called attention to the necessity that existed for having the estimate of expenditure of the Borough prepared, with a view to striking a rate for the ensuing year. He moved that the Finance Committee be instructed to prepare this statement. Carried. iff PETROLEUM LICENSES. Cr Meech moved that the Clerk be appointed inspector under the " Dangerous Goods Act," %o , report on applications for \ these licenses. 'Carried; ''■/■• BALGUERIE. STREET FORMATION. Cr Meech moved that fresh tenders be called for for this work. Cr Bridge thought before this was decided on, Councillors should understand the financial condition. He did not think this work was nearly so necessary as other ! works. If they went in for doing the work from Kissel's to the Mail office, it would absorb a good deal of money. When the} r decided to undertake this work they were under the impression that their Asnburton reserves had been let. They had now received their rents, "and they were aware of the general deterioration of landed property, especially at Ashburton. Cγ Henning seconded the motion pro forma. Cr Meech considered that the Council had already pronounced in favor of this

work. Councillors had spoken of drainage, but could they point out a worse piece of drainage than existed in the street in question. Cγ O'Reilly moved as an ammendraent that, in view of the present state. of, the" Council funds, the work bo deferred- till the spring. .. / The amendment was carried 1 , Cr Meech dissenting. ~ ' ' j ■! Cr Meech would then move that; the ditch be filled in. It was, he ;ccmsid(jred; absolutely necessary. As it •.af\ preisent existed, it was an intolerable nuisaiHjej Crs Bridge and Henning thoughtHhati no serious cause of complaint existed. The winter rains kept the channel fairly clear of offensive matter, r/ffhe/motion was lost. r _I_.-t-..jk» DAY LABOR. Cr Meech, as Chairman of the Works Committee*; wished to know what wages the Council were willing to give laborers. It was agreed to* authorize 8s a day for good laborers, to find thfefr 'owtftoolsl , ' ' ! s . ~Cr -Meech,..-gas:c...notice_.,,ol, specting drainage-and rwater supply, and the Council- adjourned.-—