AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 229, 27 September 1878, Page 2

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING.

' " Thursday, September 26. Present—Messrs E. C. Latter (Chairman)j Hay, Dalglish, Gebbie, and Priest, Bradley, and Barker.

The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called to consider the question of the boundaries of the road districts, also a letter from Mr A. C. Knight, asking that a road which is situated in the Road Board Districts of Akaroa and Wainui and Little River be undertaken by the Council. The Chairman stated that these questions would require careful consideration. The minutes of the last regular meeting wero read and confirmed. Mr Barker said, after confirming the minutes, it was only necessary to also confirm the resolutions proposed at that ingMr Bradley seconded the motion. correspondence. Letters were read— < ; . ' From the Little River Rftad Board; declining the Council's offer to arbitrate in the matter of the Barry's Bay Pass road, and expressing their determination to abide by their decision that the supervision of the road from Barry's Pass to Libeau's cot*tage by tbe Little River Board would cease from date, viz., April 29. ' From Mr A. C. Knight, asking that the road be made from Wright's gate to Lake Forsyth. A sum of £900 had been voted in 1876, and the Chief Surveyor had said he would pick up the line. The road laid partially in two districts, but the Boards • were not able to agree, and so it was a matter for the County Council; at present it was largely used by the public, and dangerous on acconnt of .fogs; that he was a member of the Provincial Council when the vote was granted. All that was wanted was to make a track six feet wide, and where np benching was required, to cut the grass and erect painted posts at intervals to indicate the line of road. In this way the vote would be sufficient, for the whole line. The Chairman said that he did not wish to interfere with the Road Board work, but works that the Board would not undertake the Council should take in hand. Mr Gebbie said, if the grant be operated on by two chairmen, his Boardobjectedto act in the matter, but they did not refuse to spend the money allotted to their district. They objected to dual payments

and to the Akarpa and Wainui Road Coard spending money in their district. The Chairjnah said that the sooner they faced the-fact that the Council would have works tqVdo the better, that the land sales in.he County had been considerable, and frifrn Ist July to, 30th sept. £3000 accrueto the Council. Mr/Baker, said it seemed very unreasonable ithat the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board would not work with' the Little River' Road Board. Mr Barker, said that he quite disagreed with the .Council -taking over any roads at piesent; on its own responsibility until they see that the Road Boards are not doing their duty. If the Council decide to take over roads, it should be the main roads, and not by-tracks which would only benefit two or three private indiveduals, and in a matter of this kind they should proceed with caution. Mr, Baker said he thought this was a case in which the Road Boards were not doing their duty. Speaking for himself he would, say that tho road would j save him several miles a day in taking stock to town. His opinion was that the Boards were not doing their duty, and were jealous, and did not like to work together. If they did work together, well and good, but if not, the Council should step in. Mr Baker proposed that the Chairman write to the Akaroa and Wainui, and Little River Road Boards, asking* if they will act together in expending the special grant for the formation of the road fronY Mount Bossu to Lake Forsyth, and unless the two Boards agree so to act within four weeks from this dato; the Chairman be authorised to proceed with the. work on behalf of the Council.. Mr Barker seconded the motion, he thought they were acting under a dilemma, and were not treating of a special grant. The Chairman explained that it was a special grant that the Council had to. operate on. / A letter was received from Mr G. R. Joblin, enclosing two resolutions of the Little River Road Board re Recreation Committee, at a meeting held on the 24th inst., as follows:—'• Proposed by Mr G. R* Joblin, and seconded by Mr Reynolds, •' That this Committee hereby empower the Chairman to take the steps necessary to effect the purchase of the land under offer from Mr Wilson for proposed recrea- j tion ground." Proposed by Mr Sefton, " That the decision of the Committee in this matter be reported .to the County Council, and that the claim should be made for the land as promised." It was resolved to reply that there was no certainty of any Government grant. deputation. Mr Duxbury was present to advocate the claims of the increased representation of the Berard Ridges. He thought the first duty of the Connty Council was to adjust the representation of tha district. Mr Duxbury proceeded to quote the rateable value of the land, and proved that the amount collected in the district was over £18000, whilst the share of Wainui was only £3000. Mr Williams bore out the remarks of the last speaker, and hoped the Council would carry out the idea of the increased representation of the district. The Gle.klh.en read the petition. Mr Latter said, that as the representative, of the Berard Riding, he did not approve of an alteration being made. Plenty of notice had been given, nnd he wished more care had been given to the subject, then it would not have turned out as it had done. Had due notice appeared, the present meeting would not have had occasion to discuss these things. He was aware that the returns were what the County Council went by, namely £10,825. There was no doubt that both ridings should send ona more representative, and it was not possible that they should be more fairly represented. Some discussion of a desultory character followed, resulting in Mr Baker remarking that he thought there should be some division made in the riding*. Payments. Carriage of map £110 Clerk's salary ... ... 15 0 0 The Chairman stated that the Bonk return amounted to £9 3s 9d. Some discussion then ensued with regard to returning officers at the next election which was, to take place on the second Wednesday' in November, 187$, and it was decided that various returning officers should be appointed to act in that capacity for the several localities. After some further discussion of a private nature, the Council adjourned.