KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2397, 8 December 1881, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr G. H. Black well), Crs. Parnham, Pinching-, Mathews, Stanton, Woodford, Smith, and Eraser. Letters were read.—Erom the Commissioner of Grown Lands, asking in what way the Council wished the 50 acre cemetery reserve sold. Cr. Pinching was of opinion the reserve ought to be withdrawn from sale, as in time it would be a valuable reserve for recreation. The Mayor explained that it was) set aside for a cemetery, for which purpose it was unsuitable and the Governor had given leave to sell it, so that a better site might bo obtained. Cr. Pinching suggested only selling half of it, whioh at £6 per acre would produce enough to purchase an improved lite. Or. Woodford did not expeot the price would be realised, especially for the N.E. half. Or. Smith would be agreeable to subscribe and assist in procuring a better site if half of this was Bold. He moved—" That the matter be. deferred for a month." Or. Woodford seconded. The Mayor—By that time yonr heads will be clear, and the excitement of the eleotion will be worn off. The motion waa oarried. Erom Mandeville Boad Board, agreeing to tenders for Beach road formation and metalling at £lB. Erom the returning officer, notifying the eleotion of Mr Caleb Smith as Mayor. Erom the railway engineer, stating the application for a crane at the railway station had been sent to head quarters. The surveyor reported completion of shingling Akaroa street, and clearing of Peraki street side ohannels. The excavations in Hilton street had been mads to obtain earth and gravel. Or. Woodford doubted the latter statement. The chairman of the finance committee reported receipts for the fortnight to bo rates, £l7 18a; reserves rent, £125 ; and the) present overdraft, £7O 6» lid. The Mayor, in reply to Or. Woodford, said that 25 per cent, of the rent was| put to the bridge renewal fund. Payments, £53 17s, wero passed. Or. Eraser objeoted to an item of £7 10s, commission at 5 per cent., due to tha clerk for collection of reserves rent. Or. Smith pointed out that it was a matter of agreement. The clerk was to collect rates and all other moneys for 5 per cent. Or. Woodford did not objeot to 5 per cent, on moneys collected, but on a cheque of £125 paid in it was not contemplated that any commission should be allowed. Or. Parnham considered that it would not be quite fair to object to the item if it was agreed that • commission should be paid. Or. Eraser moved—" That the item stand over till next meeting, when the agreement between the clerk and Council could be produced." Or. Pinching seconded pro forma, but understood that this was a matter whioh had arisen out of something else. Or. Mathews supported tha passing of the acoount, as the clerk could not olaim it if it was not due, and if it was found to be paid in error he would no doubt refund it. [Hear, hear.] Or. Smith supported the payment, and if wrongly paid it would be) refunded. He was surprised that the chairman of the finance committee had not seen this before. The clerk explained that he waa not certain of the terms of the agreement, but it was understood that commission was to be paid on rates, reserve rents, and othermoneys collected, of whioh Or. Eraser waa quite aware. Or. Eraser denied this. It was the first time he had seen it in the accounts, and in the interests of the ratepayers opposed the same. The motion for passing the account was carried, Or. Eraser's proposition being negatived. Or. Pinching moved, Cr. Smith seoonded —"That the clerk recognise no orders from contractors upon the Council." After some argument, during whioh it was thought the motion might operate to the disadvantage of both contractors and the Council, the motion was negatived by a majority of one. Or. Pinching drew attention to the fact that an obßoene word had been cut with a chisel on the footbridge, and moved that a reward of £5 be offered for information leading te) the conviction of the offender. Or. Woodford seoonded. Carried. On motion of Or. Smith, seconded by Or. JTraser, the clerk was requested to bring up at next meeting the agreement, and all letters or resolutions relative to his agreement with the Council. It was decided that the amount placed as a fixed deposit in the Bank for the bridge acoount be withdrawn, but that a separate account be still kept in the ledger. It was decided to attend to the matter of a bridge from Raven street to Mr Bevell's. The Council then adjourned.