AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 207, 12 July 1878, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 10.

Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Billens, Cullen, Bridge, O'Reilly, Annand, Waeckerle, and Penlington. ■■ The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A The outward correspondence was read. : Letters were read— From the Poundkeeper,,enclosing his account for June, and offering to take the pound on the same conditions as he held it from the Road Board, viz., to take charge of the pound and keep it in repair for the fees, r- ■• ~ -*• / f '" Cr O'Reiley arid Annand thought the Council might expect to derive some in come from the pound. The Clerk reported that the receipts from September 7, 1877, to the end of , June, 1878, had been £11 15s 6d, including £2 16s, proceeds of sale of a horse, while the Poundkeeper's salary was £15 per annum. Cr Waeckerle would propose that Mr Hahn's offer be He was quite certain that if they put it up for tender they would not get an offer for it. Cr Annand seconded the proposition. Cr O'Reilly proposed as an amendment that .tenders be advertised for. The amendment was seconded by Cr Bridge. Cr Meeoh thought the proposal was illegal. The Council was bound to " establish and maintain " a pound. Cr Penlington concurred with Cr Meech. The poundkeeper should be a servant of the" Counc.il. .* , : Cr Waeckerle said the poundkeeper should give security. The amendment was lost, and Cr Waeckerle's motion was carried, on the understanding that the poundkeeper should still furnish reports to the Council. From the Land Office, Christchurch, stating that the grant for 2000 acres was on the point of completion. From the Rev. P. C. Anderson, applying for Charitable Aid on behalf of two persons hitherto in receipt of the same from the Government, and on behalf of one of them for medical attendance.

Cr Bridge understood that the resolution o£ the Council at its last meeting was to continue the aid given at present temporarily until some understanding were come to on the subject.

Cr Penlington wished to know whether any communication had been received from Government since last meeting. He observed that a Board had been appointed in Christchurch.

The reply was in the negative. Cr Bridge would move that the present aid be continued.

Cr Waeckerle seconded the motion. Carried. ,-...-

From Mr C. Alger, giving notice of his intention to build in Jollie street, and asking for tbe correct levels. Permission and levels were.ordered to be furnished.

From the Mayor of Wellir gton, re Municipal Conference. To be acknowledged, and the writer referred to former letter on the same subject. • ; Frorti the Colonial Secretary, informing the Council that Mr A. I. McGregor had been appointed registrar of dogs, and the Town Clerk's Office the place- of registration. .. ... .......

From Superintendent Broham, stating that the police had been instructed to hand over the balance of dog collars to the Council. The Clerk stated that the police had used up all the remaining collars for dogs resident outside the Borough. He had written to the County Council on the subject, but had as yet received no reply. It was resolved that the police authorities be written to, asking that the balance of collars be banded over to the Council.

From Sergeant Ramsay, stating on the authority of the Superintendent of Police that receipts for dog tax were the property of the Government and could not be given.

Resolved that a receipt book be procured.

From Mr H. 11. Fenton, forwarding plans for a bridge to replace the one known as Farr's. The plans furnished were alternative, viz., one with rubble foundations and wood top, the other entirely in concrete.

Cr Bridge, as a member of the Finance Committee, wished to say that that Committee had recommended the erection of two bridges of a much cheaper character. For £80 or £90 each they could erect bridges which would last for years. The cost of bridges such as the one before them was quite beyond their means. For the smaller sum they could build bridges sufficient for all their requirements. He moved that the plans before them were of too expensive a nature for them to undertake, and that the consideration of the question bo postponed for a fortnight.

Cr Waeckerle said that he had built the first bridge in Akaroa in 1859. These wooden bridges were always wanting repair, and then only lasted about ten years. It was time they had something more permanent. He had obtained rough plans from Mr Morey, shewing what would be the cost of a bridge built of brick.

Cr Penlington thought tho plans before them were far too expensive. He had built the present bridge for £70, and it had lasted eleven years. The heaviest traffic in the town had passed over it. A substantial bridge could be erected for about that sum to meet all their requirements for the next ten years. Moreover, he did not approve of the plans, especially the rubble. The width was greater than necessary. A bridge two feet wider than the present one would answer air purposes, and they had not the means. Cr Meech said the Finance Committee had reported that they could build bridges for about £80 each. That was all moonshine. He had said at the time _ that it was impossible. He knew the bridge in question would cost £250. The Committee had stated that they • had £400 to spend. If so, why not have a good bridge that would last for ever.

Cr O'Reilly criticised the remarks made by Crs Penlington and Bridge. The latter had said that the place was not. goingahead fast enough to justify such an expenditure. He believed that, and that it never would go ahead if Cr Bridge and those who thought with him had their way. It would be far better to put up one good bridge, and wait, if necessary, two or three years for another. He would move as an amendment that Mr Fenton's rubble plan be adopted. The amendment was not seconded. Cr Bridge's motion was then put and carried. BOROUGH BY-LAWS. Some letters and telegrams from the Colonial Secretary's office re the by-laws

were read. The correspondence appears in another column and was to the effect that no communication of any kind concerning the by-laws had been received by the Government, prior to copy of by-laws forwarded on June 28, which was duly acknowledged. The Mayor thought this matter was of so much importance that he would suggest its consideration being deferred for the presont, and ultimately left in the hands of a Committee. He wished it to be understood that he was in no way trying to shelve the matter, but merely, as there would be so much enquiry, and investigation to be made, it would be best managed by a Committee, or, at least, left to a special meeting. ,- Cr Penlington considered the suggestion of the Mayor a very good one. This was a matter which required to be cleared up, which would involve a great deal of enquiry, and it should either be left in the hands of a Committee or considered at a special meeting. Cr Cullen moved that a Bpecial meeting be called for Friday next at 7 p.m. for this purpose. Cr Waeckerle was in favor of a Committee, who should report to the Council. The Mayor explained that he meant the Committee to have power to act without reference to the Council.

Cr O'Reilly seconded Cr Cullen's motion, which was carried.

A letter from the Colonial Secretary re the foreshore was, on the suggestion of Or O'Reilly, deferred for consideration at the special meeting. With regard to the enquiry into the matter of the b}'-laws, Cr Annand, moved the formation of a Committee to prepare all particulars for the special meeting, the Committee to consist of the Mayor, Crs Bridge, Penlington, and the mover. Cr Bridge seconded the motion, as it would greatly facilitate business, and the Council would be in a better position to judge the right or wrong of the case. Carried. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were then read prior to being passed :—- A. Mitchell £3 17 0 Garwood and Co 0 14 10 F. Hahn 3 15 0 Health Inspector ... ... 11 0 Legal advice and telegram 15 8 Clerk's salary ... ... 8 6 8 H. G. Watkins (travelling expenses) ... ... 3 6 6' Printing 16 19 0 Cr Waeckerle objected to passing the item for legal advice and telegram. He would ask who gave the Clerk authority to incur this expense ?

Cr Annand moved that the accounts, as read, be passed.

Cr Meech agreed with Cr Waeckerle that this item should not be paid. The Council had passed a motion that it was expedient to raise a loan, and this telegram was sent, and the legal advice obtained, with the intention of defeating that object. The telegram sent by the Mayor was so worded as to produce a reply in the negative. Cr Penlington thought it would hinder the business of the Council, and. cramp the actions of the Mayor, if he was to be restricted in obtaining any necessary advice by refusals on the part of the Council to pay for the same. He would second Cr Annand's motion.

Cr Meech moved as an amendment that the accounts be considered seriatim.

Cr Waeckerle seconded the amendment, which was put and carried by 5 to 4.

The various accounts were then put seriatim, the division on the disputed item resulting in favor of its passing by 5 to 4. All the other accounts were passed nem eon.

In accordance with the Act, the rate roll was then signed by three members of the Council, and an alteration, the name of William Bailey Bray being substituted for Henry Wagstaff, was duly initialled.

Cr O'Reilly asked if the owner of section 161 had complied with the Act as regards laying off a road through it, by sending the regular notice to the Council. He would refer to correspondence from the Government on the matter of private streets.

The clerk replied .in the negative.

Cr Bridge said the section referred to was placed in his hands for sale, and to be cut up. He had enquired as to the least width required for a lane, and had been told 20 feet. Was not aware it was necessary to give notice to the Council, but would do so if necessary.

Cr O'Reilly wished to state that Cr Bridge was under a great mistake if he thought he could lay off lanes in the Borough from street to street. There were a great deal too many of these small lanes as it was.

Cr Bridge explained that the section was in the back part of the town, where a lane was quite sufficient for all pur-

poses. After some further discussion, is was agreed that with tho exception of the omission to send in the regular notice, Cr Bridge's action was within the meaning of the Act.

Cr Meech asked if there had been any reply from the Road Board with regard •to the lamp at Waeckerle's corner. The Mayor- replied in the negative. Cr Waeckerle said he had spoken to the Chairman of the Board, who had explained that they wore willing to' contribute half the cost of erection but not the maintenance.

Cr Bridge asked if the accounts for the footpaths had been sent out. The Clerk replied that he had not' had time to send them all out as yet, but that he would attend to the matter forthwith.

Cr O'Reilly said they were always at a great loss to know how the Bank account stood. He thought a fortnightly, balance should be presented at the meeting so that they might know their financial position. He would move that the Clerk have the statement ready for every meeting. Cr Bridge seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Mayor stated that the overdraft at the Bank at present was about £160, which, together with the cheques passed that evening would amount to about £190. He thought the motion a very good one. Cr Meech asked if any money had been received on account of the reserves.

, The Clerk replied that none had been paid in'as yet, but that he would apply again. Cr Bridge would like to call the attention of the Council to the fact that since he had been a member of the Council there had only been one meeting of the Finance Committee. Had there been another meeting he should have had to resign. He was sorry to have to do so, but after the

remarks made at a public meeting by another member of the Committee—remarks which were not calculated to increase the public estimate of the characters of that body, be had no option in the matter. He had endeavored to obtain an explanation from the gentleman making the mistake, for that he was ready to suppose it was, but failing this he could not do otherwise than place his resignation as a member of the Finance Committee before the Council.

Cr Penlington, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, thought Cr Billens should make some explanation. He did not see how they could act with that slur at present resting on them. He hoped he would tender some apology. Under the present circumstances he thought the Committee had better all resign—-(a voice : "Hear, hear") —at any rate he would resign his seat.

Considerable disorder occurred here, two or three councillors declaiming somewhat vehemently at once, but what could be gathered was to the effect thatthe Finance Committee were resigning in order to shift the responsibility of the figures in their report on to other shoulders.

Cr O'Reilly proceeded to explain that old- differences had been amicably arranged

Cr Bridge interrupted the speaker, and asked what had that to do with his resignation.

Cr Annand was of opinion the proceedings were out of order; all they had to do was to" accept the resignations. Cr Meech referred to the amicable settlement of past difficulties. He thought Cr Bridge should not have brought this matter forward again. As for Cr Bridge saying his honor was damaged by what was said, that was all nonsense. Cr Bridge was too nice about his honor. Was he the only member of tho Finance Committee who had any honor? With regard to what Cr Billens had stated at the public meeting, he himself had said quite as bad if not Worse—not personally, but against the Committee as a whole. He considered the report of the Finance Committee read at that meeting " a piece of villainy." Cr Penlington rose to request the Mayor to call the speaker to "order;" it waa impossible they could sit there and hear such insults. The Mayor called Cr Meech to order. :Cr Meech withdrew the expression "villainy.'' and used a few more remarks similar to those already stated. Cr Annand said he was of opinion it would be better for both the Finance and Works Committee to resign as they were evidently pulling in opposite directions, and would not work together. Cr Meech urged upon the Mayor that Cr Annand was imputing motives, and should be checked. The Mayor failed to see where the imputations came in. Cr Meech said that the Finance Committee were evidently trying to get out of their figures, and should be made to stop and carry them out. Cr Billens said the whole thing had arisen from a misinterpretation of a word. When someone from the body of the Hall asked him if he meant to say that the accounts had been cooked so as to throw dust in the eyes of the public, and he had answered in the affirmative, he did not then understand the. meaning of the word " cooked " as nsed in that sense, he thought it meant •* prepare " nnd had no idea there was any such dreadful meaning to the word as he had subsequently been informed. It was chiefly the Akaroa Mail that had fomented all the mis.-hief.

After some further discussion, Crs Penlington and Bridge having excepted Cr Billens' explanation and withdrawn their resignations, the matter was allowed to

drop, the committees remaining as they are at present.

A notice of motion by Cr Bridge having reference to the taking over by the Council of the wharves in the Borough was then read, and consideration deferred to the nextineeting.

Cr O'Reilly tabled a notice of motion to the effect that Government be requested to proclaim the lock-up a public gaol. The Council then adjourned.