KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6245, 24 September 1885, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tie fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday evening. Present—The Major (Mr Moore), Crs. Oram, ?idd, Wearing, "Wcodford, Wilson. MeeVrs Hicks, Mey, Simpson, and Blakeley, signed the declaration 88 newly-elected Councillors, and took their seats. Letters were read—From National Mortgage Company, forwarding rent of endowment reserve. From Mr J. T. Mackerras, forwarding copied of BearAdmiral Scott's lecture at Dunedin on the i defences of the colony. From Milling and Produce Company, forwarding account for wharfage of timber, £10 9s, which was passed. From BaQway Department, agreeing to do asphalting at the station. A circular inviting the Council to s> cbarity ball. From Messrs May, Humphreys, and others, asking for completion of asphalt footpath on west side of North road and the present path floated. The letter was received, to be considered at next meeting. Cr. Wjcabuto made a personal explanation in reference to making of fcotpath on Charles street near the Kaiapoi hotel, stating that hia agreement with tbe Council was to asphalt nine feet of the width of tbe footpath, the Council doing five feet. As one of the largest payers of rates, also, he said it could not be maintained that he had received any exceptional treatment from the TJeuncil through his position as a Councillor. The Cuebk reported on works in progress, and the cost of concrete lerbing for Charles street east from Houth street to SeweH street would be £30. He had sounded the river and reported the depths scoured out at the bridge. He fonnd that the piles of that structure, were &m and intact. The completion of the work was delayed for the arrival of cast-iron for the weights. Or. Wxxson considered any reference to this matter again out of place till the arrangements with the contractors were settled. The ratepayers wanted to know the respective depths of the piles in order to complete the information, without which this report was uselees. He challenged the production, that evening, of any infermation from the Clerk of the Works on this point, and moved the report be not adopted. Cr. Kidd seconded. He did not see that the report was of any service to them, and the Council would at some future time possibly be placed in possession of better information. Cr. Woodfobd criticised the report unfavorably, and stated bis opinion of the position of come of the piles. Cr. Simpsoh saw nothing in the report to object to. At another time tbe Council might have to engage a competent person to give a report on the bridge, and then it weuld be seen whether the report before them was supported or not. Tho Matos said he had instructed the Clerk to make a report in consequence of persons persisting in saying that some of tbe piles -were hanging. He considered it was necessary that any doubte in the public aiind regarding the stability of the bridge ought to be settled, and to be set at rest, before the bridge wsb opened. The Clerk and a competent person had examined the work, and their report showed that there was no cause for fear. Ct.Blaxblht, in his canvass for toe election, had been told by many that the reports which wen in circulation had alarmed them as to the probable safety of the bridge, and he thought the report would dispel those fears. Cr. Waujuee expreeeed the opinion that the question ought not to be disturbed till the present contractors were settled with, then the Council might, if so disposed, review the whole matter. After a lengthy discussion, the motion to reject ♦be report was negatived. Ayes—Cre. Wearing, Woodford. Kidd, and Wileon.

Koe»— Hicks, Onus, and lib© part of tte surveyor's ranerlLreferrJmgto a footpath from Mr Xxoasideß to Mr Blackwell'a was defened, on the motion of Or. Kisd. seconded by Cr. Sjmpbok. The Matob reported a petition had been presented asking for a holiday en October 2nd, being the occasion of the Friendly Societies' fete, which he had agreed tor. Approved. Cr. Kxdv reported the receipta for the fortnight to have been J8160175. Ihe present debtor balance was £18417 a 7d. Accounts .£l7 43 7d were passed. It was deoided that the report of the Bj-law Committee te presented at sext meeting and copies of the by-lawa supplied to members. The election of Committees resulted ia the election for Works and Lighting Committee, Cre. Oram mac), Hay, and Hicks j for Finance, Cheque signing, and Fire Prevention, Cre. Biakeley (Chaiiman), Simpson and Kiddy Sanitary and Cemetery, Cr. Biakeley (Chairman), Simpson, and Woodford; the whole Council to form the Bridge Committee. Cr. Mat moved a vote of thanks to the retiring Committees, which was seconded by Cr. Sihfsok. Cre. Wbabing and Wilsok caw no necessity for any such vote, which was, nevertheless, declared carried. On the motion of Cr. Simmon, it was decided the Banger receive a fortnight's notice that his services are no longer required, and that O. Knight be appointed Banger. The Matob reported the bridge was expected to be opened in a fortnight. On the motion of Cr. Wilson, seconded by Cr. Mat, it was decided that the Works Committee attend to the repairing of the planking on the old bridge. Cr. Blamlst advised that the Councillors make a thorough inspection of the drainage system, in fact make what was known where he came from as a "rambling day/ when the Council would ! walk the boundaries. A motion to that ' effect was not, however, agreed to. Mr J Stanton asked for drainage of land on [ Carew street. Beferred to Works Committee. It was decided that attention be given to dog registration and to rate collection, also that a return of informations laid against persons for allowing ! cattle to stray be furnished the Council. ; A letter from the Church Property Trueteee, in reference to drain on Mr Henry's land, was ordered to be referred to the Mandeville and Bangiora Eoad Board- Cr. Obak gave notice to move—" That tenders be invited for kerbing Charles street footpath, cist side." The Council then adjourned.