AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 287, 18 April 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, April 16. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Council was held on the above date at their ofiice, Balguerie street. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Meech, Henning, Billens, Bridge, and Bruce. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was read. Letters were read— From Mr H. H. Fen ton, stating that in furnishing a certificate respecting the bridge near Meech's, he did not intend to pass the work as complete, the two bridges having been let in one contract. When reported as completed he should examine the whole work. From Mr C. F. Barker, stating that the lease of the Ashburton Reserves had been ready for signature for some time, and that he had written to Mr Saunders' trustees to ascertain their intentions in the matter. In the meantime he had secured the Council as far as practicable, in that he had received £250 from Mr Saunders, being half a year's rent in advance. From the Postmaster-General, forwarding the Itinerary of His Excellency's trip to the Middle Island. From Mr F. F. Barker, on behalf of the Akaroa C.C., challenging the Council to a muff cricket match, the proceeds to be devoted to some charitable object. ~Cr Bridge strongly supported the idea of the Council acceding to the request. Some money could be raised for the purpose of the Kaitangata Relief Fund or any other charitable purpose. Cr Meech stigmatised the proposed match as an " act of buffoonery." He for one would take no part in it. Cr Henning would support the affair if it were not too late for the fund referred to. 11 is Worship was also in favor of the proposal. He was not a cricketer himself, but he admired the game. Cr Bridge moved—" That the Council favorably consider the proposal, and that a Committee, consisting of Crs Hennine;, Billens, and the mover be appointed to make the necessary arrangements, the charitable object to be decided by the committee." Carried, Cr Meech dissenting. CLEANING FOOTPATHS. Cr Meech reported that he did not think this work had been done according to specification. The Mayor said he had referred the contractor for this work to the chairman of the Works Committee. Cr Meech said the contractor had not come to him with his account. If he had, he (Cr Meech) should have declined to certify to it. The contractor's account was referred to the Works Committee. ACCOUNTS. An account from Messrs Wood Bros. & Co. was referred to the Finance Committee. AKAROA RAILWAY. The Mayor brought under the notice of the Council the fact that the Engineer for this railway had been taking soundings, &c, respecting the terminus of this railway. He thought the Council should take some steps to secure an examination of the route to the town of Akaroa. He thought they should call a public meeting on the matter. Cr Bridge was glad his Worship had mooted the question, He thought the people of Akaroa should move energetically in the matter to have the question gone into, and the route to Akaroa examined in order to ascertain which was the best site for the terminus. On the motion of Cr Meech it was resolved to telegraph to Mr Montgomery, asking "If it had been decided that the railway is to terminate at Barry's Bay instead of being carried forward to Akaroa town with its deep water, and its sheltered position." It was understood that his Worship should call a special meeting of the Council, if necessary, on receipt of an answer. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Cr Meech moved that leave of absence for six weeks be granted to Cr Beecher on the ground of illness.--Agreed to. BALGUERIE STREET. On the tenders for this work coming up for consideration, Cr Meech said he thought that since they had the advice of the receipt of £250 from the Ashburton Reserves, there was nothing to hinder their going on with the work. At the previous meeting two tenders for this work had been received and considered. It now appeared that a third tender had been received since. Cγ Bridge asked the Clerk whun this last tender had been received. The Clerk replied that he had cleared the letter box at half-past seven <>n the night of the last meeting. It wms rmt in then. When he came the following morning he found it in the box. As it was not endorsed "Tender," he had opened it under the impression that it was an ordinary letter. Cr Bridge moved that the tender be not received. The motion did not find a seconder, and the tender was, after considerable discussion, received without any motion to that effect being made. It proved to be from Mr Jones, and the •i.iii Mint was £265. The three tenders before the Council were therefore as fol,iws ;— S.tfloy and Dixon, £337. ] W. Jones, £265. (J. Burns, £200. Cr Meech moved that Mr Jones' tender be accepted. Cr Billens seconded the motion. Cr Bridge moved that the lowest tender be accepted. Cr Bruce seconded the amendment. For Cr Bridge's amendment there voted : Crs Bridge, Henning, and Bruce. Against it: Crs Meech, Billens and the Mayor.

His Worship gave his'casting vote in favor of the acceptance of Mr Jones 1 tender, which was accordingly carried. The Council Mien adjourned.