AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 184, 23 April 1878, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, April 17.

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

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

Cr Meech moved, seconded by Cr Waeckerle, that the standing orders be suspended, to allow of Cr O'Reilly's motion re tlie subject of a Borough Loan being fully considered. Cr Wagstaff, seconded by Cr Annand. moved as an amendment, that the ordinary business be proceeded with.

This being put to the Council, was lost, only the mover and seconder voting in its favor.

The Clerk then read Cr O'Reilly's notice of motion—"To take into consideration the borrowing of £3000, to be expended on works within the Borough."

Cr O'Reilly said, on rising to move the resolution standing in his name, that he hoped the Council would give it a fair hearing, and weigh well whether they considered it for the good of the Borough generally. The motion was brought forward in the spirit and desire to benefit the ratepayers at the present time. With these few remarks, he would lay before them an estimate of the receipts and expenditure of the Council for the year ending March 31, 1879. He would shew that there were no hopes that they would, either during that time or at its expiration, have any money at their disposal for the execution of tbe necessary works in the Borough. He would shew that they would not be able even to carry on the necessary affairs of the office ; the only thing they would be able to do would be what they were just doing at present, merely meeting together, and talking. The income they might expect was as follows:— Rates, £287; Government Subsidy, say £200 (if they got it, which they did not last year) ; Hotel Licenses, £130 ; Auctioneer's, £40 ; Public Halls, £6 ; Fines in R. M. Court, say £50 ,* Reserves let, £32 ; sum to be recouped being the halfcost of footways, £147 17s; making a total of £892 17s Od. The estimated expenditure for the same period was:— Clerk's salary, £100 ; stationery, firing, postage, telegrams, £75 ; printing, £50 ; printing bye-laws, £75 ; street lamps and lighting, £50 ; share of maintenance of Hospital, £100; day labor, £100; expenses in connection with the Health Act, £20; incidental expenses, £20; total, £590. To this must be added overdraft at Bank on April Ist, 1878, £96 5s 9d ; by cheques signed that day, £115 4s lOd, making total of overdraft £211 10s 7d, and total of expenditure for period named, £801 10s 7d, leaving them a sum of only £90 to the good, with which to do any works that might be required. He had in no way exaggerated, the estimates given would prove that provision had been made in every quarter. At the same time, he proposed to lay hefore them the scheme of works to be carried out by the money he was asking them to borrow. To begin with, there were four bridges within the Borough that wanted renewing, and to be built the same width as the streets, so as to carry sidewalks, viz., one in Lavaudstreet, one at Mr Meech's, one near Messrs Higgins and Co.'s forge, and one known as Farr's bridge. The estimate for these was £200 each ; a culvert opposite MiArmstrong's, to be formed the full width of the road, £24; repairing the mainstreet as at present, from Waeckerle's to Wagstaff's bridge, regrading it to Bruce's Hotel, and straightening the same from Mr Watkins' store to the Mail office (a very bad turn, which required attention), £70; metalling tbe same 75 chains, £G00; on the same street be proposed to take off the sharp curve at the corner opposite Leprous forge, between the new and o'd places, £20; regrading and reforming Balguerie and Muter streets to town boundary peg, £206 ; laying down drain pipes from town boundary peg to the yea in tbe same street, with opening to receive extra water, £195: reforming and regrading Jollie-street from Farr's bridge to Aylrnerstrcct, adopting, to a certain extent, tbe plans the Council had already paid for, including Ayhner's Valley road, £300 ; engineering and advertising, for the whole work, £100; last, but he was sure they would all agree with him, by no means least, and a work of as much importance as the foregoing, tbe formation of public baths, £250. He considered it but fair and just that for things of this sort, the ratepayers should pay a share of the interest on the money laid out, works of the kind would recoup tlie Council, and be an attraction to visitors. For contingencies he allowed £170 ; interest and sinking fund for first year, £210. Having thus detailed the necessary works, he would naturally be asked how lie proposed to get tbe money. He purposed going to no outlay in raising the £3000 exceeding £50 or £60 on tbe transaction. Tho interest and sinking fund for the first year was payable out of the loan. He bad been assured on the best authority that the Insurance offices in Christchurch would take up the scrip, when issued, at par. When in Christchurch about a week or ten days ago, he made it his business to see Mr Ilaskins, the Town Clerk, and laid the case before him as to how their income stood as fair as he could. Mr Haskins advised him to float the loan for 50 years, in £50 debentures, at G per cent, interest, and 1 per cent, on sinkingfund. It was far preferable to float the loan for 50 years, as there would not be so heavy a sinking fund to pay. He had asked, if the loan was floated for 50 yearsj how the Council would be situated, in the event of their wishing to borrow more money, and was told that it would not interfere with their doing so, provided they got the security. On the strength of all this, he would now ask the Council to take the matter into their consideration. It was his intention to save the ratepayers from a call of one shilling in the pound, which must be done if they did not borrow. There were works which must be done, and another shilling in the £ must be levied to carry them out. He supposed he would be asked how he intended to pay tbe second years interest and sinking fund. The reply was easy. They would be able to pay the £210 interest and sinking fund out of the income then derived, taking in tbe £ on £ subsidy from the Government, for the thoroughfares would then be in a perfect state of repair, and bo no expense. What work there would require then to be done would not cripple them in the same way as at .present, considering also that the enlargement of the Borough bringing £200 in rates, together with say £1000 in a short time from the Ashburton lands, would steadily increase their income. Everything was now at a standstill for want of the mone}

Property in the Borough, though rates were levied on it, was not improved. He threw aside the cry that had been raised that he was striving to put another shilling in the £on the ratepayers. On the contrary, be was endeavouring to save them from this extra taxation. He hoped some one more able than himself* would now take the matter up.

Cr Wagstaff :On what security do you propose to raise the liioney? Cr O'Reilly :On the general rates. I hold a late Gazette in my hand, in which the Masterton Borough Council have raised an £8000 loan in this way, tbe works to be done being mentioned. (Cr O'Reilly here read tbe notice from the Gazette.) What our neighbours can do we can.

Cr Waeckerle said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion proposed by Cr O'Reilly. If they were going to struggle on in the way they were in at present they could not last long. It was impossi ble for them to find the money for bridges or anything else without incurring a long overdraft. He had been under the impression that money could not be borrowed on the general rates, but had found it was otherwise. They were all aware they were powerless to do any of the works now which were so much required. There was hardly enough to pay the salaries when due. The salary of their Clerk, for instance, was far too small, and he justly should have more. This he should have moved himself a long time ago only that he knew they had not the means. They were forced to stretch themselves according to their blankets.

Cr Wagstaff agreed with Cr O'Reilly as to some of the works proposed to be" done, but thought he did not go far enough. While they were about it, why not go in for a larger sum, and get works done which would be reproductive, such as the reclamation of the beach. However, it was a matter for the ratepayers and he would move that the matter be submitted to them in terms of sections 139, 140, 141, and 142 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 187 G.

Cr Penlington seconded the motion, and said if the Council were satisfied with the works proposed and their estimate it was better to refer it to the ratepayers.

Cr Meech said the Council must come' to some resolution about it before it could be so submitted. The objection to borrowing because a loan brought no profit was erronious, as was instanced by many of the railways formed.

The Mayor proceeded to put Cr Wagstaff's motion as an amendment.

Cr O'Reilly objected to Cr Wagstaff's motion being put; it was not an amendment, but a substantive motion, and could not be put.

Cr Wagstaff said if the Council must first pass a resolution on the matter, he must vote against the motion. He objected to some of the works proposed, such as Aylmer's Valley road for instance, pulling down the present bridges, and also the suggestion to borrow on the security of the general rates. He maintained if they were unable now to manage when they had them, they could not when they were without.

Cr Annand thought the motion did not go far enough. One.thing had been left out, viz., the Ashburton reserves. If the matter was allowed to stand over till these lands were let, the security would be much better; they could borrow more, and execute works that would be reproductive. Some items in Cr O'Reilly's estimate were wrong : the fees for dog collars had been omitted, and Mr Cuff's account reckoned

in. He did not think the Council was in such a bad position as it was made out to be. He would propose as an amendment that the matter be adjourned for a fortnight to allow the Mayor to call a public meeting to consider whether it is expedient to borrow money for public works.

Cr Wagstaef seconded the amendmen pro forma.

Cr Billens said it came to the same thing in the end, tbe matter must go before the ratepayers.

Cr O'Reilly said that as far as the fact that Mr Cuff's account would not occur again that was of course correct, but Cr Annand must remember tbe bank was not paid ; the plea that Mr Cuff was paid was no good, when the account was still there in the overdraft. As for the Ashburton reserves, neither the Christchurch, Kaiapoi, nor Lyttelton reserves would bring anything in for the next three years. Thej* might rest content that all tlie money that would accrue from the Ashburton land for the next two years at least would beharmles_. It was the intention of the other Councils to co-operate and employ a staff of surveyors to lay their reserves out in farms.

Cr Waeckerle thought they were wasting time. He would ask that the amendment and motion be put.

Cr Meech would like to say, before the motion and amendment were put, that they had been elected to represent the ratepayers, and if they were not competent to decide on a simple question of this kind, they had no business to be where they were. If they went before tbe public, and said —" We want you to decide this for us, as we are not fit to discuss the matter," the public would say—"Well, you bad better got out of that, and let others come iv who will be able to manage better

The Mayor considered that the amendment was in proper form, and it was accordingly put to the Council, and lost, only the mover and seconder voting in its favor. Cr O'Reilly's motion was then put, and carried, the Mayor, and Crs Wagstaff and Annand dissenting. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr H. S. Bushell, applying for a license-for the Masonic Hall. From Mr J. D. Garwood, applying for the same for the Oddfellows' Hall. From Mr J. Daly, making a similar application for the Town Hall. In reply to Cr Penlington, the Clerk stated that tbe amount of the license, according to the bye-law.-*, was ;SL< Tlie applications were granted, on the motion of Cr Meech, seconded by Cr Penlington. f ' WORKS COMMITTEE. .'Cr Meech stated that he had not had itime to call a meeting of the Works Committee to consider the works deputed to them at the last meeting, but that he would do so as soon as possible. finance committee. Cr Wagstaff said bo had seen the manager of the bank, and explained the state of their account, also the necessity for an overdraft being granted till the rates were collected, and that the manager had granted them an overdraft of £275.

PAYMENTS. R. M.Taylor £0 1 6 J. Sunckell ... ... 0 8 0 An account frolj|_;".the proprietor of:' Wagstaff's Hotel, amounting to £25, for* supplying a banquet on the occasion of Sir G. Grey's visit, was then considered by the" Council, the amount being hailed with evident dissatisfaction.

Cr Cullen said he understood that the Council's share of the expense was only to be £6 or £7, otherwise it would not have been passed.

Cr O'Reilly wanted to know whether Mr Wagstaff was engaged, and bj r what authority the debt was incurred. By what law were they going to pay this sum out of the ratepayers' money ? He would oppose the account going before the Council.

Cr Annand proposed that the Council go into committee on the mattei*.

Cr Meech : With what objeGt ? Cr Annand : Because matters of this sort should not be reported.

Cr O'Reilly thought that it was just one of those matters that should be reported, and he would call on the reporter present to do so. He (Cr O'Reilly) was there to protect the ratepayers' interests, and he would not be doing his duty to them if lift did not oppose this account. Cr Penlington seconded Cr Annand's motion that tho Council go into committee. Motion put and lost, the mover and seconder only voting in its favor. On the motion of Cr O'Reilly, seconded by Cr Meech, the accounts of Messrs Taylor and Sunckell were passed for payment.

Cr Waeckerle said -he was present when the reception to Sir G. Grey was mooted. He bad asked Mr Wagstaff what the cost would be, and he had replied £10 or £15. The Mayor had also stated that the Chairmen of the County Council and also of the r Road Board would be willing to assist. He did not see why Mr Wagstaff should take advantage because there was noagreement. The price was exorbitant. He had been present at as good a dinner lately at only 10s 6d a head.

Cr Wagstaff here tried to say something, but was stopped by Cr O'Reilly, who said that he could not take part in the discussion being an interested party. The Mayor referred to the minutes of the special meeting held on the 19th March, 1878, authorising Mr Wagstaff to provide a banquet for 27 persons, a list of whom was given.

Cr Annand moved as an amendment that all the accounts as read be passed. In the face of the minutes just read, it would be mean and shabby to try and get out of paying for what they had ordered. The Council were responsible, though the County Council and Road Board had backed out of it.

Cr Waeckerle seconded the amendment.

Cr Penlington asked if the Chairmen of the County Council and of the Road Board had been written to on the subject. The Mayor : No.

Cr Penlington thought they should be written to. It was, of course, the Council's business to take the initiative in such matters. A considerable amount of good would accrue from Sir G. Grey's visit,wliich would extend to the County Council. Road Board, and Lake Trust, which bodies should, therefore, bear part of the expense incurred. He would move that tbe Chairmen of the County Council, Road Board, and Lakes Trust be written to to this effect.

Cr Meech seconded Cr Penlington's motion. He had spoken to- some of the members of the Road Board,-who had expressed themselves willing to contribute a share out of their own pocket, although they were not present at the banquet. The Borough should not bear the whole brunt. He was surprised when Cr O'Reillysaid there was no minute authorising Mr Wagstaff to provide the dinner. However, to a certain extent Cr O'Reilly was right, as the minutes only stated that a banquet would take place at Wagstaff's Hotel, but did not say who was to furnish it. Cr O'Reilly said this was plainly what he meant. He did not object to Mr Wagstaff being paid for the dinner, but' to the money being taken out of the rates for that purpose, and he maintained that it could not be done ; it was illegal. They had no right to touch the ratepayers' money for it, and he would therefore oppose it, though he would not object to some other scheme for paying Mr Wagstaff.

Cr Waeckerle said, before putting the amendment, he would ask Cr Annand to withdraw it in favor of Cr Penlington's motion.

Cr Annand did not see the use of withdrawing it, as the Council would be in the same position whether the County Council, Road Board. &c, agreed to pay a share or not.

Cr Billens thought the Council had a claim on these bodies. "It was represented at the meeting that they would pay a share, and they certainly should bo asked.

Cr Annand's amendment was then put and lost.

Cr Penlington's motion was then put and carried.

Or O'Reilly asked if the Clerk had received the first quarter's rent for the reserves.

The Clerk replied in the negative, and was' instructed to obtain the same.

On the motion of Cr Billens seconded! by Cr Meech, the proprietor of WagstafE's Hotel, was ordered to be written to, requesting him to hold over his account until the Council had received a reply from the other public bodies.—Carried. The Burgess Roll was here signed by the Mayor and two Councillors, in accordance with the Act. The Council then adjourned.