AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 67, 9 March 1877, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the above Council was held in Mr. Kissel's room on Wednesday last. Present—The Mayor, and Crs. Wagstaff, Watkins, Cullen, Bruce, Waeckerle, Penlington, and Annand. CORRESPONDENCE. From J. D. Garwood, informing the Council that he and the owner of Bruce's hotel have, at their own expense, made footpath on beach frontage of sections occupied by Wood Bros, and Mr. Beecher, and requesting to be exempted from paying anything towards the footpath on Aubrey-side of those properties. Cr. Penlington said that it would be a very bad precedent to follow, to exonerate persons who choose to form footpaths in one street from any liability of cost in another street. If this course were permitted, persons might make footpaths first and ask to be exonerated after. What was done in the case under discussion was excusable. Cr. Annand asked if the footpath was the specified width.

The Mayor said that if he was aware that the letter would been have read that night, he would not have been present. Cr. Waeckerle said that the claim was a just one, and the Council should take it into consideration. Cr. Watkins said that the footpath was considerably above the width. There was the gradient and other matters to consider, which might considerably alter the comparative cost of the two footpaths. Cr Waeckerle moved—"That Messrs Scarbrough, and Garwood having formed footpath opposite their premises be exempted from paying any proportion of cost of formation of footpath in Aubreystreet for same distance as constructed by them on Beach-road." Cr. Cullen seconded the motion. Cr. Watkins moved, as an amend ment— " That Mr. Garwood's letter be referred to the Works Committee with a request to report upon the matter at an early date." Cr. Bruce seconded the amendment. The Mayor then put the amendment, Crs. Bruce, Watkins, and Penlington voting for it. Upon the motion being put, it was declared lost. Ayes—Crs. Waeckerle, and Cullen. Noes—Crs. Watkins, Wagstaff, Bruce, Penlington, and Annand. From J. Kissel, N.G., Akaroa Lodge of Oddfellows, intimating the Lodge's willingness to sell the ground required by the Corporation for foothpath purposes for the sum of £20, and that the Council make all footpaths round and about the hall free of charge to that society. Cr. Cullen moved—" That the offer of the Oddfellows to sell a piece of land to Corporation for the sum of £20 be accepted." The motion was seconded by Cr. Wagstaff. Cr. WxVTEins would have liked the Oddfellows to have furnished the area, aud suggested the advisability of deferring its consideration. The Mayor remarked that the Council might take more land than the Oddfellows would be willing to part with for the sum. Cr. Cullen.—The Council could utilise it for the erection of a fountain. Cr. Penlington moved as an amendment—" That the consideration of the subject be postponed for one week, and that the Public Works Committee be requested to report upon the area, &c, by next meeting." Cr. Annand seconded the amendment. The amendment was put and carried. payments. J. Dixon,handrails Beecher'sbridge, £3 10s MISCELLANEOUS. Cr. Waeckerle said that he had very carefully thought over the subject of the letter received some time since from the Road Board in regard to grants received by that body which the Council was entitled to share. The Borough of Akaroa could justly claim 5-12ths of the rates and grants received by the Board last year. There had only been £150 spent in the town, while the rates collected amounted to £240 for. the year. If the Council failed to move in the matter, there would not be a single shilling recovered. He moved—"That the Town Clerk be requested to write to the Colonial Secretary, urgmg for an adjustment re the proportion of the grants paid over to the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board since the constitution of the Borough, and asking if any correspondence had passed between the department and the Road Board on the subject." The motion was seconded and carried. Cr. Penlington moved—" That the Town Clerk be requested to write to Mr. Rolleston asking for information respecting the fees accruing to the Council from Dog Tax, &c. Cr. Wagstaff said that he had been informed that one-half of the fees arising from the Dog Tax was available as soon as a receiver was appointed. Cr. Penlington moved—"That extra clerical assistance be afforded to the Town Clerk to hasten the completion of the Byelaws." The motion was seconded by Cr. Cullen, and carried. The Mayor remarked that the Town Clerk was now making good progress with the Bye-laws. The Council before the 31st March must determine the amount of rate to strike, and therefore the Finance Coinmittea had better go to work, as the people were now asking what they had to pay.