AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 167, 22 February 1878, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Wagstaff, Annand; Meech. Penlington, Cullen, O'Reilly, Sunckell,- Waeckerle, and Billens.

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed,

Cr O'Reilly moved—" That the standing orders be suspended until Cr Meech's proposition, with regard to the extension of the borough, be decided " —a matter which he considered was of vital importance.

Cr Meech was of opinion that the ordinary business of the Council should be carried on, but he would desire that his motion should either be entertained now, or that it should be considered at a special meeting. The question being put to the Council, Cr O'Reilly's motion was carried on the voices, Crs Annand and Wagstaif objecting.

Cr Meech then moved his notice of motion, which was as follows : —" That the boundaries of the Borough of Akaroa be extended, so as to include the following area to the eastward of the present boundary line of the Borough :—commencing at the corner peg of section 77G, at Mr J. Porters gate, and running in a direct line north-easterly to the southeastern boundary of section 7516, and thence following the dividing lines between sections 200 and 754 on the west, and section 527 on the east; and thence continuing in the same line and dividing section 1255 on the west from section 1219 on the east, to a point at the north-east end of section 1255, and the north-west end of section 1219; and thence in a north-westerly direction to the north-east corner of section 3778, and thence to the north-east point of section 889 ; and thence following the old German Bay road along the boundary lines of sections 114 (in red), and 7493 on the west, to the south-eastern point of section 7493; and thence in a straight line to the town boundary peg where the northern branch of the mill stream falls into the sea." In support of the arguments adduced for the bringing forward of the motion standing against his name, Cr Meech quoted clauses 25, 3, 2G, 31, and 52 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, and stated that the amount of acreage pertaining to the Borough acquired would be nearly double of what it is at present, so that of course if it was required to borrow money tin) Council would show a larger rate-roll. Moreover, those who were residents within the extension of the boundary advocated were anxious to be brought under the Borough rating, &c, in preierenco to that of the Road Board, the funds of which must in a short time go, while those of the Borough would increase. Balguerie street was the only source of expense, that part of the German Bay road, which was included in the extension being only some seven chains, and that, too, in good order, while Mr Feltham's road was merely used by himself, and therefore unlikely to be a cause of outlay. The Grehan road, too, was being repaired by the Road Board at at the present time, and, if taken over, would he found in good order. In reply to his Worship, Cr Meech stated that he had no idea how much the 40 chains in Balguerie street, which was the extent of road making that would have to be immediately undertaken by the Borough, if the proposed extension was granted, would cost. Cr O'Reilly was aware of a contract that had been taken on the same road at two guineas a chain. Replying to the Mayor, Cr Meech further stated that the total rateable value of the land included in the extension was £800, which would produce in rates a sum of £41 10s. Ilig Wonsnir said bo had merely asked the question to elicit information for the benefit of the Council. Cr Waek!skl_ seconded Cr Meech's proposition. At the time of the formation of the Borough he had expressed his opinion that the boundaries were too confined. He had carefully gone over the matter, and found that Cr Meech's statements were perfectly correct, and he would desire to say that the proposed extension included, and7vas the same as, the boundary of the town as represented on the old French map.

Cr x\.nnand did not agree with the proposition, and considered it wrong to take in ii larger extent of district. There were a great many laid-off roads included therein which were still unmade ; besides, there was no clause of the Act which would empower the Council to enlarge the Boro'igb. lie considered the whole proceeding- out of order aud illegal, as it rested v/itli the public, from whom should come a petition in the first place. (Cries of -• No, no.'') Cr O'Reilly said he would like to hear the question discussed in a fairer spirit. They had been elected to do their best for the good of the Borough. They had the power to take the extension of boundary. The public had a right to protest, but the Act plainly gave option to the Council to apply for an extension, the question being in the hands of the burgesses afterwards. He had seen many of the residents in the part included in the proposed enlargement of boundaiy, and they were all agreeable ; they would rather pay one shilling as rate* to the Council than ninepence to the Road Board, and desired to be incorporated with the Borough. The rate roll at the present time was not such as to show a credit sufficient to borrow money on, whereas if the extension proposed was carried out, it would be possible to do so if required. Cr Annand opposed the motion on the score that the roads would require to be made when tho bye-laws were brought in force, and cattle would not be allowed to come through the town during stated hours. Moreover, he was of opinion that the first step in tho matter should be taken by the burgesses. In support of his argument, Cr Annand quoted sub-section ,'5 of the Munioip.'d Corporations Act. Cr Waecket.le considered the Council were in a legal position to claim the extension. Cr Penlington thought it was premature to bring the matter up when the roads within the present boundaries were not even kept in order or carried out, many of which were most expensive works, counting surveys, &c. There were the roads up Ayimer's Valley and Balguerie street being neglected, as it was, for want of funds. He thought these should be attended to before any additional expense was incurred by enlarging the boundaries. Would it not be better to let the matter stand over, as j he had no doubt that great expense was attached to the scheme V

Cr Wagstafk urged that there were at present 110 acres in the Borough valued at £3500, being at the rate of £47 per acre, aud here was a proposition to add rateable property to tho value of £800, being only £7 an'acre ; if any difficulty was experienced in providing funds for forming roads in the present boundaries, surely there would be more so with an extension to them ; it was merely a question of finance. Some further discussion ensued, and the motion , being put to the Council, was carried, Cr Annand and his Worship the Mayor objecting. Cr Annand then moved that the ordinary business of the Council be proceeded with. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr Beecher, requesting permission to erect a urinal at the end of the creek by his hotel. Cr Penlington moved that the request be granted, subject to the report of the Sanitary Committee. Cr Annand seconded the motion. A somewhat lengthy discussion ensued on this question, which, when put to the meeting, was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. From Mr W. Penlington, giving notice of his intention to erect a fence in Jolliestreet, Akaroa. From Mr John Anderson, stating that the price of closet pans was £6 delivered in Lyttelton. Cr O'Reilly here asked that, before the payments came before the Council, with regard to the outgoing correspondence, had the petition to tho Governor re the taking over of the foreshore been forwarded, as, if not, he thought it were better that it be delayed to allow of additions being made to the petition. The Clerk stated, in reply, that the petition had not as yet been forwarded. PAYMENTS. His Worship the Mayor made a statement to the effect that the Engineer declined to deduct any items from his account, E. C. Latter ... £2 9 6 Clerk's salary ... 8 6 8 Valuer's expenses ... 3 3 0 — Maltby 5 10 0

On the motion of Cr Annand, seconded by Cr Cullen, the above accounts were passed for payment.

Cr Meech reported on the Clerk's bond, to the effect that Mr Nalder had said it was perfectly correct in every particular.

Cr O'Reilly thought the Council were not clear what bond was being alluded to, whether the old or the new bond.

Cr Meecu said he had been appointed together with his Worship the Mayor to see into this matter, and having done so and the Solicitor having his opinion of everything being correct, it was merely obstructive to argue the question.

On being put to the Council, the action of the Mayor and Cr Meech in this matter was thoroughly endorsed.

Ci-Wagstaff's notice of motion, previously tabled, re taking over the wharves, which is as follows :—'• That the wharves within the Borough be taken over'by the Council in terms of the Marine Act Amendment Act, 18777' His Worship then read the report of the Sub-committee appointed to enquire into the matter. REPORT Off COMMITTEE ON WHARF. " Your Committee have to report that they think it highly desirable in the interest of the Borough of Akaroa that the existing wharves within the Borough be-, at once taken over b} r the Council, and the Council request the Governor in Council to vest the management of the said wharves in the Corporation on such terms and conditions as are provided for in the Act; and,-further, that a Committee be appointed by tho Council to suggest to His Excellency what provisions of clause- 7 of the Act should be adopted.

" 1. For regulating the use of the said wharf anl the traffic on the same. " 2. For fixing scales of dues to be paid for the use of such wharf. "3. For fixing scales of dues to he paid for the storage of goods, and charges to be paid for taking in and delivering the same from the wharf sheds. "4. For continuing the terras of tho present lease and all existing interests. "5. For leasing and collecting dues on the wharf presently known as Daly's wharf.

"Your Committee, desire to point out to the Council that in term:: of clause 5 of the Act that all dues after deduc-ring tho cost of collection, must be spent and applied only on making necessary repairs, extensions, or improvement to the wharf, and that in the event of such dues not beingsufficient for such purposes, that no powers can be taken under any of the clauses of 'The Municipal Corporations Act, IS7G,' to expend any of the" Borough funds on any wharf so vested in the Council.

" (Signed) "11. Wagstaff, Chairman. " 11. G. Watkins, Mayor. " J. S. Annand, Councillor. " I object to the terms and conclusions of the foregoing report. " P. O'Reilly, Councillor."

Cr Wagstaff, on rising to speak to his motion, said, that after careful consideration, he had no reason to alter his opinion with . regard to tho benefit that would accrue to the Borough from taking over the wharves. He knew plenty of occasions on which the incongruity of one wharf being taxed while the other was free from all dues and charges had been remarked upon. He had made a point of seeing Mr Daly, wdio had now altered his opinion, and was willing that the wharf be handed over to the Council, if it could be shewn that it was for the benefit of the Borough. He (Cr Wagstaff) had examined the Government wharf, aud found that it was not in such a dilapidated state as had been represented—there was only one beam that was at all gone. Moreover, the shed on the wharf was not properly used,' and he should not be surprised to see, it might bo a draper, come down and open a store in it. Taking everything into consideration, he must advocate the adoption of the terms of the Act in question.

* Cr O'Reilly, objected to the proposition, and proceeded to shew that the expenditure upon tho Government wharf since IS7G was far in excess of the receipts, also stating that he had conversed with a practical man, and one whose opinion was worth having j u a matter of tuis had given it as his opinion that thejGovernment jetty at the present tiniej required some £300 spent upon it> in repairs. He would move as an amendment that the question stand over until tiie expiration of Messrs Woods' lease, in June, 1882.

Cr Cullen agreed with the remarks which had fallen from Cr O'Reilly, and he would vote against the motion. 7 Cr Annand was in favor of the proposition for several reasons. If -the Borough Council did not take over the'wharves, the County Council would. He was of opinion that the wharves were self-supporting, and even more than self-supporting.. The management of the wharf, and its state, was better now than ever it had been, and he believed that it would produce a large revenue to the Borough.

Cr Penlington thought that it was simply a question of principle whether the wharves were handed to a local body. He was in favor of the motion, aud had examined the wharf, but could not see any rotten planks, or beams turned over, as was alleged. In his opinion, as a practical man, they .vere sound, and the jetty altogether was in a good condition.

Cr Meech opposed the motion, as he considered it a retrograde movement. The evident desire w r as to make Daly's wharf a rateable wharf, irrespective of breaking faith with those who had put money into it with the understanding that it was to be a free wharf. There were four more years of the lease yet to run. He would suggest that the matter stand over till then, and let the general Government first put the jetty into thorough repair. Cr Penlington stated that it was a mistake that there was any obligatory clause in the lease, that the Government should keep the wharf in repair. Cr Billens, speaking in regard to Dla'ys wharf, said it would be necessary to erect a crane on it, which would be an additional expense. Cr Wagstafp said that the arguments adduced with regard to the placing of a lamp on the jetty were all wrong as the expense of maintaining the same would be provichd for by the light dues. The amendment, being put, was carried. Cr O'Reilly's notice of motion to the following effect, was then brought forward :— "That the sum of £750 having been placed on the Supplimentary estimates for the purpose ot erecting a Court House in Akaroa, in section 86 that the Minister of Public Works be respectfully requested to have the work indicated carried out at once." He stated that the present buildings were not suitable for the purposed intended even if Akaroa were a smaller place than it was. The money had been placed on the estimates, and if not used before next session then the vote would lapse. The motion was seconded by Cr Cullen. Cr Annand objected to the site chosen though it might be to the advantage of the Borough to let the matter not drop altogether. Cr Meech was of opinion that the matter was out of the hands of the Council, as the site had been selected by the Government, and that he could not understand any reason for the opposition.

Cr Annand said that the vote was perfectly inadequate to the requirements of the district, and on that ground he would oppose the motion, which was accordingly put and carried, Cr Annand and his Worship the Mayor objecting. The question of the reserves at Ashburton then cime up, the name of Cr Sunekell being added to the Committee proposed to be appointed to enquire into the matter, The Council then adjourned.