AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 268, 11 February 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Friday, Feb. 7,

An adjourned meeting of the Council was held at their offices on the above date.

Present —His Worship the Mayor, Crs Penlington, Billens, Bruce, Cullen, Bridge, Meech, Alger, arid Beecher.

The minutes of the meeting held on Jan, 24 were read and confirmed.

Before commencing business, the Mayor wished to make a few remarks as to nonattendance of councillors at their regular meetings. He. thought those councillors who could not spare a.couple'of hours once a fortnight ought to resign, arid make room for some who would attend more regularly. He did not like to see a bare quorum present, but would like to see full meetings of the Council.

Cr Meech explained that his absence on the last occasion was due to illness.

The Mayor had not intended his remarks to apply to Or Meech, who was one of the most regular in his attendance.

The matter then dropped. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Clerk read the outward correspondence, including a letter to MrC. F. Barker, written by authority" of the Mayor, consenting to the alteration in the clauses of the lease of the Ashburton Reserves, asked for by Mr Saunders. • ASHBURTON BESERVES. A letter was read from Mr C. F. Barker, stating that Mr Saunders, the intending' lessee of thesa reserves, objected to two conditions in the draft lease forwarded him for signature. The alterations were of an unimportant nature, and his Worship explained that to save time he had caused a letter to be written consenting to the alteration. On the motion of Cr Bridge, the action of the Mayor was confirmed. . REGISTRAR OF DOGS. , A letter, was read from Mr,J. F. Roberts. resigning his position in. the above capacity. The Mayor explained that he had forwarded Mr Barry's name to the Government for the office. ' The appointment of Mr Barry was confirmed.

BY-LAWS.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, enclosing the by-laws, stating that the Government would not disallow them,".but it was.suggested that they should.boj-evised in accordance with certain suggestions made."""'-, ,' ;. It was proposed by Cr Cullen, seconded by Cr Bruce* and earned •—" That Crs Bridge, Meech. and Penlington bo appointed a.committee to revise the by-laws, with power to get the__,published."

VALUAITON ROLL,

The report of the-'committee appointed to examine the above roll-was brought up and read, as follows :—'

"Your Committee find the new valuation fist so full of inaccuracies, find an evident want of care being shown in the preparation of the said list, that in their opinion it should be returned to the valuer for his re-consideration and correction."

Cr Bridge thought the roll had been compiled on no assignable principle. He did not think it was the business of the Council to try and extort as much money as possible out of tho ratepayers, but that a fair roll should be compiled, not that all ratepayers should be compelled to appeal to the Court.

Cr Penlington corroborated what Gr Bridge had said. ; On certain properties sweeping reductions had been made, and in other cases additions had been made without any apparent reason. ,->:■

Cr Meech pointed out that the time had gone by in which the Council could object to the list as a whole. The only way In which this could be done would be by applying to the Government for an extension of time in accordance with sec. 68 of the Rating Act. He suggested that this should be done,, Cr Penlington thought they could object, to such valuations as they thought too low or omitted, and the ratepayers who thought they were rated too high could object on their own part.

Cr Meech concurred

Ultimately it was resolved that the List be referred back to the Committee, with instructions to make such objections as they thought fit, and instruct the Mayor to sustain them before the Assessment Court.

On the motion of Cr Penlington, Cr Meech was added to the committee.

INSPECTION OF WORKS,

The Mayor, said he thought it would be necessary to appoint some one to superintend the works in progress. He did not think it was the place of members of Council to overlook contractors.

Cr Meech concurred. He certainly did not pretend to any special professional knowledge with regard to those works. If he spoke in the Council regarding any work to be carried out, .it was through having prof essiohal opinions on the matter. He moved that Mr Roberts be appoint--to superintend the works in progress.

The motion was seconded by Cr Penlington.

Cr Bridge objected to the proposed appointment. Cr Billens moved that an advertisement be inserted, inviting tenders for the work from competent persons, the remuneration to be by commission on' the amount of contracts.

Cr Bridge proposed that Mr Fenton be employed. He believed the Council had an offer from him to do the work at 2J per cent., and they all knew he was thoroughly competent.

Cr Cullen proposed Mr Morey. (Laughtor.)

Cr Bridge moved the appointment of Mr Fenton at a commission of 2J per cent.

The Council had thus three separate propositions before them. On being put to the vote they were disposed of as follows:—

For the proposal to advertise—Crs Billens, Beecher, Cullen and the Mayor.

Against it—Crs Penlington, Meech, Bruce, Alger and Bridge. For the appointment ;of Mr Fenton— Ayes : Crs Penlington, Meech, Cullen and the Mayor. Noes: Crs Billens, Alger, Bruce, Bridge and Beecher. ._..,. Cr Bridge proposed that Mr Adams be appointed. This proposition was also negatived on a division as follows—Ayes:' Crs .Bridge, Beecher, Alger, and Bruce. Noes: Crs Billens, Meech, Penlington, Cullen and the Mayor. All the propositions having been negatived, Cr Billens again proposed that a competent person be advertised for, but the proposition met the same fate as before, Crs Billens, Beecher, Cullen, arid the Mayor voting for the remainder against. ■■■■-.■ As a way out of the difficulty, Cr Meech proposed that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, with power to appoint some person tpjrtperintend the works in progress. „" ' ".' The Mayor would rather havei seen the proposition made by some other councillor than the Chairman of the Works Committee.

Cr Cullen then, proposed it in place of Cr Meech. . The Council being apparently tired out by divisions, the resolution was carried. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:— Lighting... ... £6 5 0 Government Printer (Acts supplied) ... ... 015 0 H. Billens (candles, &c.) ... 017 4 A charge of 2s for burying a carcase was struck out, the carcase in question having experienced a premature resurrection. An account from Mr T. Adams for "refreshments" supplied to laborers on three occasions was also disallowed. One from Mr A. I. M'Gregor, for clerical assistance,. £5 ss, was referred to the finance committee. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. Cr Meech moved that Mr Barry be appointed Inspector of Nuisances. He thought it was high time that such an officer was appointed. . He instanced some practices that were indulged in which should be put a stop to on sanitary grounds. v.'. The Mayor thought it was a step in the right direction. He hoped the new inspector would do his duty efficiently. j£r Meech moved that the Inspector make a house to house visitation, and report to the Council at an early date re cosspools and the sanitary condition of the Borough generally. Carried. BALGUKRIE STREET.

Cr Meech had another matter to bring before the Council, and that was the formation of Balguerie street. For some time past the Council had promised to do^

this work when they had funds. It ap" peared that they soon would have funds. He pointed out the great necessity that existed for the work. He would move that the matter be referred to. the Works Committee, with power ,-fo have levels taken and specifications and estimates prepared, i

Cr Penlington reminded the Council that they < had an .overdraft approaching £300. He-admitted that the work in question was highly .neqeessary, but the Council had; decided that the bridges were of primary importance, and they had to provide £200 for that purpose.

The Mayor said he was on both sides. He admitted the necessity for the work, but he also agreed with Cr Penlington as to the state of the funds.

Cr Meech reminded the Council that they had £125 coming in as rent for reserves; a great portion of their last year's rates were due, and their rate roll would soon be in .force. Altogether, he thought they had a reasonable prospect of receiving funds sufficient for the purpose. The resolution was carried.

SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS WITH ROAD BOARD

. Cr Penlington moved the appointment of a committee to confer with'the Koad. Board on this matterj with a view to coming to a friendly settlement, such committee to'consistof Crsßeecher, Penlins-ton. Meech, Bridge, and the Mayor. Carried.

The Council then adjourned