KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5804, 2 October 1879, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of this Council tvas' held on Tuesday, at the Council Chamber, Kaiapoi, at the usual hour; present —His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Maly, Pinching, Moore, Wearing, Ellen, Woodford, and Mathews. liBAVB of absence. Leave of absence was granted to Councillor Eraser. WOBES COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported that they had 1 received two tenders for filling up the section on Hilton street, and had accepted the; lowest, ■ The labour gang had been reduced, as nearly all the works authorised by the Council had been completed. Councillor Ellen, from his own intimate knowledge of the Act, was perfectly certain that the Council could not legally fill up holes on absentees’ sections. They had no power to do so, and were rendering themselves liable for damages by doing so. He then quoted from “ The Municipal Corporations’ Act, 1876,” in support of ms opinion. His Worship the Mayor drew Councillor Ellen’s attention to the fact that the clauses quoted by him referred to water-Works, and not nuisances. Eor his part he was perfectly certain that the Council had full power to abate any nuisance in the best way they could, and quoted the following clause from the above Acts— * ,* * “ If any such nuisance is not abated to * * * to the satisfaction of the Council, it shall be lawful for the Inspector,of Nuisances, under the authority of a warrant under the hand of the .Mayor in that behalf, to enter upon any sucU private street, land, or buildings with such assistance as may bo necessary, and cause any such place to bo effectually cleaned, or any such nuisance abated to the satisfaction of the Council; and the Council may recover the full cost of so doing from the owner or, occupier of any private street, lend, or build-

ings so cleansed.” He thought the Act was very clear on the subject. <3ouncillor Pinching quite agreed with His Worship that all such nuisances ought to be abated at once, and he, lor one, would at wavs use his best endeavours t > have them »u done. There could be no doubt as to the power of the Council. After more discussion oh the subject, the report was adopted. fihanob. - The .Finance Committee’s report stated that tho receipts for the past fortnight had been From rent, £225 ; Charitable Aid, £1 ; dog tax, 10s j total, £226 10s ; and the overdraft at the Bank, including the half year’s interest, was £323 8s 2d. AOEKBHBMT. The agreement between the Council and the occupiers and owners of land on the Beach road, referring to the drain through Honey’s land, was read and discussed. Councillor Woodford thought the words “ heirs and assigns” should be inserted after the words f< joint parties hereto," as if not, the agreement was not binding on the present occupier’s successors. S Councillor May thought that provision ought to be made for the parties interested to provide a larger floodgate at the outfall end of the drain, as it had been represent d to him that the present one was far too small, and if a larger one was not pat in, the drain would flood the adjoining land. The Mayor pointed out that there was a clause, providing: that all damage was to be paid for by the parties to the agreement other than the Council. Councillor Ellen proposed, and Councillor May seconded—“ That the agreement be altered so as to impose the responsibility now resting on the first parties, on their heirs and assigns; also, that a flood-gate be provided, and kept in good working. order, of a sufficient size to cany off all water likely to flow through the .drain.” Carried. FOOTPATH- NBAE BEIDGB. Councillor May called attention to the want of a footpath in Charles street, from the east side 'of the approach to the bridge. He thought it was a work very much wanted, as in wet weather that part was almost impassable for women and children. Resolved—“ That the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee, to report on at next meeting.” CBMBTEET BE3BEVB. Councillor Woodford reported that he had received an offer from Mr J. Moody to rent the Cemetery reserve. Councillor Ellen thought a Committee ought to be appointed to make an official examination of the Cemetery reserve, and ascertain if it was fit for a public cemetery or not. His Worship pointed out that this had already been done and trial holes dug, and that water had been found at between five and six feet deep. In his opinion this was a fatal objection to the site. Councillor Ellen would . propose—“ That a Committee consisting of Councillors Woodford, Moore and the mover be appointed to inspect the cemetery reserve and report on its fitness or otherwise as a site for a public cemetery at the next meeting,” Councillor May seconded the motion, which was carried.

MBADOW EOAD. Councillor May drew attention to the state of Meadow road, and would suggest that something be done to it. Beferred to the Works Committee to report on at the next meeting. BOABD OP CONSBBVATOBS. Councillor Ellen then moved the following motion standing in his name—“ That this Council take steps with a view to forming a Board of Conservators for the district north of the Waimakariri in accordance with “ The Canterbury Stivers Act, 1868.” He considered this was a very important matter, and one that demanded immediate attention, as the. South Waimakariri Board of Conservators were doing all they could do to throw the river against the north side of the river, and they could make works as far as the middle of the river, and there was no telling where they would stop. He had heard on very good authority that the river was running over two miles nearer the north bank than it did formerly. He did not think if the.Bdard were formed it would be necessary to levy a rate at present, but it would act as a check on the other Board, and would be prepared to take action at once if necessary. Councillor May seconded the motion, and wondered it had not been brought forward before, as it was a most important one. Councillor Moore was quite in the dark about the action of the south Board. He thought it would be advisable for the Council to inspect the place, and they would be then in a better position to judge of matters. The Mayor thought the Eyreton and West Eyreton Bo ad Boards should be invited to confer with the Council on the subject. He would suggest that a letter be sent to them. The motion was then carried, and it was also resolved—“ That the Eyreton, West Eyreton, and Mandeville and Bangiora Bead Boards be written to, asking them to confer with the Council upon the advisability of forming a Board of Conservators for the district north of the south bank of the Biver Waimakariri, at a meeting to be held at the Council Chamber, Eaiapoi, on Monday, Oct. 13, at two p.m.” AKAEOA STBKBT FOOTPATH. Councillor Ellen proposed, and Councillor Wearing seconded—“ That a return of the oost of constructing the footpath on the west side of Akaroa street be laid on the table next meeting.”The motion pn being put was lost, no one voting for it. except the mover and seconder. The Mayor said that the motion was entirely superfluous, as any Councillor could at any time call for any papers he wanted. Councillor Ellen then asked the Chairman of the Works Committee to supply the information at the next meeting, which he promised to do. EMBANKMENTS, Councillor Pinching asked the Clerk to lay on the table at the next meeting a statement of the costs of Nos. 1,2, and 3 embankments in Charles street east, which was ordered to be done. ; ' NOTICE OF MOTION. Councillor Pinching handed in the following notice of motion for next meeting—" That ail outstanding rates be paid on or before the end of October, of legal proceedings will be taken for their recovery.” . The meeting then adjourned.