AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 51, 12 January 1877, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the above Council was held on Wednesday evening last, in the Town Hall side room. Present —The Mayor, and Crs. Wagstaff, Waeckerle, Annand, Bruce, Cullen, Penlington, and Watkins. COEEESPONDENCE. From J. Aylmer, Harbourmaster, intimating that he had no power to grant permission to erect the bathing sheds, but at the same time he would throw no obstacle in the way. From H. J. Chalmers, on behalf of the Bathing Deputation, refusing- to support the Council's plan for baths. From F. Hahn, enclosing poundkeeper's report for quarter ending December 31 ; the receipts during that period amounting to £2 6s. 10d. From Secretary Loyal Good Intent Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., stating that the lodge would consider the Council's request in regard to altering the fence at the junction of Jollie-street and Bruce's-terrace. From the Kegistrar-General, requesting returns of area and population of borough. From Fergusson and Mitchell, advising shipment of seal, and enclosing account for £8 10s. BATHS. The Mayor said that it was evident that Mr. Chalmers was anxious to get out of the promised support he had made to the Council in reference to the baths, and invited an expression of opinion from the Council on the subject.

Cr. Cullen said that it was well under- ' stood that the Council prepared to subscribe pound for pound raised by the public, and if the members of .the deputation who had moved 'in the patter were not. prepared to .fulfil.their pledges, the Council should take no further steps in the matter. Cr. Wagstaff said, that although he had prepared the plans with the entire concurrence of the Council, he was in no waywedded to,them, and would be quite willing to support any other , plan. Mr. Chalmers went through the plans with him, and had expressed himself pleased with them. To say the very least, it was rather shabby treatment on his part. Cr. Waeckerle said, that as a good many appeared to support the movement, he, at the time, did not like to oppose it, but as a resolution had been passed that no contract was to be entered into till the deputation's guatantee was forthcoming, the matter must now drop, and he would* therefore move —"That until the public, as represented by Mr.vChalrners, subscribethe amount guaranteed, the erection of the baths be allowed to stand over." Cr. Annand seconded the motion, remarking, that as the deputation, representing the ratepayers, threw the matter up, the Council could.proceed no further. The Mayok had no doubt that the deputation was sorry for having gone so far, and now that the money was not forthcoming from those who had promised their support, they were anxious to get out of it. Cr. Cullen held that the Council had laid too much stress on the deputation, which really consisted of Mr. Chalmers' himself. The motion was put and carried. PUBLIC WORKS ACT. The Mayor ( said that the letter which had been received from the Oddfellows did not require any action to be taken, as the Public Works Act gave the Council full power to take any land for the improvement of tht town, compensation for which would be settled by arbitration. SEAL. The Mayor submitted an impress of the new seal, and intimated that an error had been made in the Latin inscription—the word " monuinentum" appearing for " peninsulain." Cr. WAtkins expressed his disappointment with the workmanship of the seal, and moved—" That the seal be returned to the engraver for correction in the Latin motto." Cr. Penlington seconded the motion. Cr. Waeckerle believed that there were few who really knew the meaning of the motto. He for one did not, and he thought the error would make but little difference, as no one cared about it. He therefore thought the seal would do as it stood. The Mayor then put the motion, which was carried. BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT. The following report was read from the subcommittee appointed to report upon sanitary matters : — The sub-committee of Council on Public Health Act, 1876, beg to report to Local Board as follows :—" That they have instructed the Clerk to give notice to persons building new houses, and persons who have built houses since Ist November last, that in terms of section 41 of the Act they are required to provide closets and ashpits. The committee in terms of the Act have agreed to define earth-closets and ashpits as follows :—All earth-closets that may be erected after the passing of this Act may be erected with walls of wood, bricks, or iron, and covered with a roof of slates, iron, or shingles, and all fsecal matter must be deposited in boxes or pans, and deodorized with dry earth, and no earthcloset can be below the level of the surrounding ground. All closets must have a door, and be properly enclosed,, screened, and fenced from public view. Every ashpit erected in the Borough must be built of brick, with walls of not less than nine inches, and of not less than three feet square, inside measurement, with wooden or iron cover on top, and door in front for purposes of emptying same. The Mayor said that since notice had been served upon Mr. Beechei he had removed the manure complained of. He (the Mayor) had a conversation with Mr. Checkley about a site on his land for the deposit of house refuse, and he informed him that he thought he could find the Council a place, but did not mention the terms or conditions he would permit the deposit of matter. Mr. Waeckerle expressed his disapproval of the stone wall mentioned in the report, as he felt confident that the rubbish deposited on the beach in summer would create a stench. He was glad Mr. Checkley could find the Council a place. The Mayor said thattbe sub-committee's intentions were to mix a load of clay with every load of refuse, and that the deposit of night soil was not intended. Cr. Wagstaff moved —"That the clerk be instructed to write to Mr. Checkley, asking on what condition he would allow he deposit of rubbish , ashes, &c, on his tand near the beach." Cr. Annand seconded the motion. He did not approve of the stone wall, as he believed each successive tide would wash away the clay, leaving bare the dead animals, ashes, &c. Cr. Penlington would like the Council to select a spot of their own, as he did not believe in being allowed on sufferance to deposit rubbish. Possibly Mr. Checkley would think too much was being deposited, and would order the Council to find another site for its reception. He said that the idea of reclaiming land with ashes,eggshells, and rubbish, was absurd. Cr. Cullen said that Mr. Checkley had informed him that he thought he could find a place for the rubbish near the Red House, as he had a big hole to fill up, and that the deposit of the refuse would do him good. He would move " That the Public Health Report, less clause re dep6t be adopted." Cr. Waeckerle said that the Council had no right to mix up public health business with their proceedings. Their acts would be illegal, as no two bodies could sit at one time. The Mayor explained that the Council was then sitting as a Board of Health, and proceeded to put the motion, which was carried. STRIKING OF RATE. The Mayor said the Finance Committee recommended that no rate be struck before the 31st of March, that being the end of the Municipal yaar, as provided by the Act. ROAD BOARD OFFICE. The Mayor reported the result of the conference between the Eoad Board and

Council. Hp said that after the matter had been fully argued, he had been asked by gentlemen representing the Board if he would guarantee the payment of the amount asked "Tay the them. He replieg certainly not, without first remitting the matter to his colleagues. The Road Board valued the buildings at £300, and stated that the amount of rates collected for 1875 within the Borough was £74. lls 9d ; rat<Se for same period collected outside amounted to £361 5s 2d. The Board lield that the Council only held one-sixth interest in the buildings, and would therefore be entitled to pay £250 for the transfer" of the property. Cr, Cullen said that he was the contractor for the building, and that he : had found everything, and erected it for the. sum of £75. . The building had since been lined, but the improvement would not cost a great deal. . ! The Mayor said the Road Board would not listen to the matter being settled by arbitration. • He would suggest-that the whole correspondence be remitted to Wellington through Mr. Rolleston, and allow the Government to settle the matter. Cr. Annand moved—"That the whole matter in connection with the French Magazine be referred to the Government." The motion was seconded by Cr. Bruce, and carried. . V, BYE LAW COMMITTEE. The Mayor, on behalf of the Bye Law Committee, reported that they were getting cm well with their labours, and trusted tHe work would be completed in two days. STONE LEVELS. Cr. Penlington said that Mr. Sigley had asked 7s 6d each for stone levels, and considering the price excessive, he decided not to order them. He had been speaking to Mr. Pavitt on the subject, and that gentleman said wooden levels would answer equally as well. He therefore thought it would be far better to procure ~- wooden levels at Is 6d each, tfcan stone at 7s 6d, and moved—"That heart of totara be procured for street levels." The motion was seconded, and carried. RECLAMATION. Cr. Penlington said that he had occasion to cause a portion of the reclamation wall opposite Leprous now in course of construction to be pulled- down, but since then the work has been progressing satisfactorily. He noticed that there would be a rather sharp angle in the road, •and he had asked the contractors whaj sum they-would require to construct an additional eight feet. They named £30, which he cop sidered excessive, and therefore would advise the Council not to tain the matter. Cr. Waeckerle thought £5 or £10 would have paid the contractors. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for payment: — 13 £ s d Akaroa Mail, printing and advertising 14 4 3 Town Clerk, salary ... ... 717 0 22 1 3 The Mayor said that the Council's expenses for printing would necessarily be heavy for some little time, as about thirty different forms required to be printed under the Act, and therefore it was advisable to order a fair supply of each, wliich would cost but a little extra, and would last the Council for years. council's office. The Mayor intimated "that-, he had spoken to Mr. Penlington, as Chairman of the Town Hall Company, with regard to coming to some arrangement for the use of the side-room. Cr. Penlington said, after talking over the matter with Mr. Adams, it was decided to let the Council the exclusive use of the room for £1 per month. v Cr. Cullen said that the volunteers did not pay near so much for the room, and considered that the company ought to give the use of the room free of charge. Crs. Annand, Watkins, and the Mayor considered the rental asked very moderate, and that it Would be far better to pay that nominal sum than give the Road Board £250. The money saved could be judicially expended in the formation of footpaths. After a little discussion the offer of the Town Hall Company was accepted, Cr. Cullen voting against it. Cr. Wagstaff said that if the company were willing to.sell at a moderate price, perhaps the Council would be prepared to entertain an offer. The Council then itdjourned.