KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 180, 9 December 1868, Page 2

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

♦ Tuesday, Dec. 8. The Council held their usual fortnightly meeting. Present -. The Mayor, Councillors Kerr, Middleton, Porter, Dudley, Oram, and Newnham. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Richard Moore, requesting permission from the Council to take a dozen loads of clay from the River reserves fronting Messrs Weston and Parnbam's premises. Councillor Porter moved, and it was carried, " That the matter be referred to the Public Works committee, with discretionary power to give permission, and report at next meeting." The report of the Publio Works committee was then read. They reported that, in accordance with instructions, they had caused the closet in rear of the toll-house to be removed. The approach to the north side of the bridge had required a few loads of earth ; tbis had been done by their order. They had also had some new planks put into the bridge. They saw no reason why Mr J. L. Wilson's application should not be granted. The kerbing on the north side was very much out of order, but, in the present state of the Council's finances, they did not recommend that anything should be done to it. petition from the Council to the Hon. ths Commissioner of Customs, requesting him to constitute Kaiapoi a port of entry, was signed by the Mayor and Councillors individually, and directed to bo forwarded. The Clerk submitted tbe following balance sheet :— Dr: Clerk's salary, £4 8s ; balance, £70 8s 9d— total, £74 12s Id; Cr: By balance, £50 17s 7d ; rates, £21 19a 6d ; rent of river reserves, £1 15s — total, £74 12s ld. A draft of the. lease between the Council and Mr';' G;' SßJ Joh_«on was submitted for the insn&ctiprjf: of, the Council. Councillor Porter (Offeredf to' look through it for them vgratuitously. ' AA . c ■'" \ „ ''■Councillor Dudley; moy&d,A»nd Councillor Newnham secondea^'V.Thit^Eouncillor Porter's kind offer he acge| ted? wf Carried. A discussion took' placef^wspeotiug the appointment of .auditors. It was decided to leave the appointment to his Honor the Superintendent, the Council recommending the appointment of Messrs W. P. Wilson and W. Norman, burgesses. The Clerk was directed to prepare an 'Abstract of accounts in acCpftlance with the and when audited, to^ifffe 100 copies of Tthe 1 same printed. A . ' ;:", y '-" "Tlie Mwoic jtttected.ifte Plerk to insert an advertisement drawing attention to tbe fact that the 1 6th of December is the day appointed by the Act for the election of a Mayor. ■ _ Councillor Newnham said it was objectionable to have the election on that day, it being a public holiday. ; The Mayor said thai if it would be inconvenient to members, they need not attend on that day, and he would attend himself, and adjourn the meeting till the next day at noon. To this arrangement the members agreed. Dudley stated that he had heard a good many complaints lately _bout the management of the clock. He moved, and it was carried, *' That Mr Johnson get the key of the clock from Mr Lezard, and that Mr Johnson be entrusted with the care of the same." Councillor Kerr moved the resolution standing in his name, " That the Clerk write to Government, requesting them formally to hand over the pound to the Borough Council." He thought that in tbe hands of the Council the pound would be a greater convenience to the public than at present, as their tollkeeper might look to it. At the present time great inconvenience often resulted to parties from the distance the poundkeeper lived from the pound. Councillor Oram seconded the motion. ; Councillor Ne^pham asked iv what state

Jheyshquld be if they took over the pound, and if, in thepresent state of their finances, they had to erect a new one or spend a lot of money on repairs. He should like to kno w what state it was in. Councillor Porter was glad Councillor Newnham had drawn attention to this ; it appeared by the Act that the pound did actually belong to the Council at the present moment, and in that case they were already liable for repairs or for any damage resulting from cattle escaping. Councillor Dudley should like the matter deferred for a fortnight, in order that a report on the state of the pound might be proCured. Councillor Middleton supported the resolution. Councillor Kerr considered that it was desirable tbat the Council should have the management of the pound. The fees might bring them in a little revenue, and he believed from reading the Act that they were already liable for any repairs the pound might require. At any time the bridge was made free he thought some arrangement might be made whereby the poundkeeper might occupy the present toll-house, keep the pound, and attend to the swing. The Mayor put the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Council then adjourned.