AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 315, 25 July 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 23.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of this Council was held on the above date at their office, Balguerie street. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Penlington, Meech, Henning, Cullen, Bruce, Wiggins, and O'Reilly. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read— From the District Land Registrar, returning the Council's cheque for fees for Crown grants, and stating that the fees must be paid in stamps. From Mr C. F. Barker, stating that he could not obtain the grants without a written authority signed by the Mayor. From the same, enclosing an offer from a Mr Ronald Campbell to lease the Ashburton Reserves on the following terms: — No rent for the first year, three years at 2s 6d per acre, and ten years at ss. The offer was declined. From Mr S. Watkins, again calling attention to the state of the road near his place. From W. Smith, offering to keep the streets, footways, and culverts in the Borough in repair, and supply horse and cart, for the sum of £3 3s a week. The consideration of the offer was postponed till next meeting. From the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, stating that the Board would feel obliged if the Mayor of the Borough would visit the Hospital from time to time, and report to the Board any suggestions or improvements he may deem necessary in the lay management. Also, that the'medical officer, Dr Guthrie, had been requested to be good enough to consult the Mayor on all matters appertaining to lay management.

From Messrs Fenton and Wilkins, reporting on the state of the bridges in the town, and making recomehdationa thereupon. It was resolved,' on the motion of Cr Bruce that" the Works "Committee be authorized to employ labor to clear out the creeks when necessary. FINANCE. Cr Penlington reported that the overdraft at present existing at the Bank, including cheques to be presented, was £148 2s Id. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Cr Meech brought up this report. The report stated that the question of Mr Watkin's road had been left to the Chairman. Also, that the matter of repairing streets and footpaths had also been left in the Chairman's hands. They recommended the construction of two small, culverts; and that the Council apply for some forest trees to the County Council. The report was adopted, and the Committee authorized .to carry out their recommendations. PAYMENTS. -"—' The following accounts were passed for payment:— Turner (labor) ... ... £1 0 0 G. Lardner (cartage) ... 06 0 Jolly and Co. 15 0 0 Garwood and Co., cement, &c. 5 2 0 W. Henning (freight) ... 0 6 9 W. Chamberlain 2 0 0 £23 14 9 His Worship the Mayor and Crs Penlington and Meech were authorized to sign a cheque for Messrs M'Lucas and M'Kay, for timber supplied, subject to deduction for any faulty timber. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. Cr O'Reilly would like to know the reason why the Government subsidy due June 1 had not been paid in to the credit of the Council. In other places this had been paid. He would move that the, Clerk be instructed to write to the Government, enquiring why it had not been paid, and also in regard to the sum due for charitable aid.

Seconded by Cr Wiggins and carried. DESTRUCTION OF TREES. Cr Cullen drew attention to the fact that trees on the road had been destroyed. He would move that a notice be inserted in the Mail threatening prosecution in the event of conviction for this offence. The name of an individual was mentioned who was known to have been guilty of the offence in question. Cr Meech seconded the motion, which was carried. NEW RATE. Cr Penlington moved that notice_ be given of the intention of the Council to strike a rate for the current year.

The motion was seconded by Cr O'Reilly and carried. LIGHTING. Cr O'Reilly moved that tenders be invited for lighting the lamps, and that the tenderer be called upon to "find substantial security for the execution of his contract: Cr Wiggins agreed that some steps, should be taken to secure the due fulfilment of the contract. Carried. POUND. The Mayor reported ; that the Pound.keeper's time had expired on the 10th of the month. It would be for the Council to decide what arrangement should be made for the future. The fees received during the year amounted to £25 5s Bd. Cr O'Reilly said on the last occasion he had proposed that tenders be called for the pound. He was of the same opinion still, and thought that the Council should call for tenders for the pound. Cr Penlington thought that the poundkeeper should bo a servant of the Council, and should be appointed by them, j On the motion of Cr Wiggins, it was resolved to appoint a poundkeeper at a salary of £15 per annum. It was further resolved that the office be offered to the present poundkeeper. -Mr Halm, being present, accepted the offer. , .. . I LICENSE. A earner's license was granted to J. Gundy. ADVERTISING ASHBURTON RESERVES. Cr O'Reilly called attention to the fact that a considerable expense was being gone to in advertising these reserves. He thought that this expense should be put a stop to. He moved a resolution to this effect, which was seconded by Cr Henning, and carried. PUBLIC CLOCK. Cr Henning moved that a public clock be procured, and the Government be asked for permission to erect the same in the Court-house. . Cr Cullen secconded the motion on the understanding that tne expense did not exceed £20. Cr Penlington informed the Council that a clock suitable for the purpose conld not be obtained and fixed for less than £40. Besides that, he did not think the new Court-house would be a suitable building for the purpose. After some conversation, Cr Meech supported the resolution, with the idea that the public would subscrbe £20.

The motion was lost by the casting vote of the Mayor. . . BRIDGE IN JOLLIE STREET. On the motion of Cr Penlington it was resolved that the Works Committee be asked to report to next meeting as to what should be done in regard to this bridge. WAGES. Cr O'Reilly moved , that the rate of wages paid for labour in the borough be 7s a day. The resolution was seconded by Cr Cullen. The Mayor reminded the Council that the Road Boards, though they only paid 7s a day, found the tools. The motion was carried. STATE OF LAVAUD STREET. Cr O'Reilly proposed that the attention of the-Works Committee be called to the state of Lavaud street, between Meech's bridge and the Madeira Hotel. Carried. TENDERS. Two tenders were received for formation, &c, of Upper Jollie street. George Kearney, £44. C. Bums, £45. . The former tender was sent in on condition that the metal near Leprous shop should be used for the purpose. The Council were unwilling to agree to this condition, and Mr Burns' tender was accepted on condition that he stacked the metal before spreading it. Cr Cullen was requested to inspect the work. Cr Wiggins gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that a returning officer, other than the Town Clerk, be appointed. The Council then adjourned.