AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 322, 19 August 1879, Page 2

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Saturday, Aug. 16. A special meeting of this Council was held on the above date, at the Hill-Top. ~" Present —Messrs Williams (Chairman), Hay, Gebbie, Fleming, Dalglish, and Barker. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called for-the purpose of making a,by-law for'establishing a pound in Le Bon's, Bay. At the same time he thought it would be as well" to make a by-law which should be applicable to all; the pounds within the County. He read a by-law which he had caused to be prepared for their consideration. The charges were the same as those adopted by the Selwyn County Council, and were in conformity with the old Provincial Council rates. After some discussion the by-law as read was adopted. Tho schedule of charges appears in our advertising columns. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting was then held, the same members being present. The Rev. R. R. Bradley afterwards took his seat. The minutes of the previous special and ordinary meetings were read and confirmed. Chairman's Statement. The Chairman read a statement of the business to be brought before the Council. The various items appear hereafter as they were dealt with GRANT FOR PIGEON BAY AND PORT LEVY ROAD BOARDS. A letter was received from the Chairmen of the above Boards, asking the Council to hand over the sum of £1000 now in its hands, and which had been voted for the purpose of certain special works in those districts. It was proposed to pay over the money on receipt of the necessary certificates as to its destination, a former resolution on the same subject being revoked. A considerable amount of discussion ensued as to whether the money should be handed over in one sum at once, or only as the work was let. Ultimately it was resolved to pay over the money on the certificate of the Chairmen of the two Boards. CEMETERIES AND DOMAINS. The Chairman said it would be in the recollection of the Council that certain

sums had been voted for cemeteries and domains which had lapsed. One sum of £10 which had been voted to Port Victoria, Mr Gebbie had informed them would not be taken up. There were two applications for this sum, one from Mr P. O'Reilly, as trustee of the Catholic cemeteries, Akaroa, for the purpose of fencing the old original cemetery, Akaroa ; and one from the Trustees of the Duvauchelle's Bay Ceme tery.

Mr Fleming thought that Port Levy was entitled to be considered in the matter. They had no cemetery at present, but two acres had been promised for the purpose. Mr Gebbie thought the fairest way was to divide the money among all those who had received their grants, and proposed a resolution to that effect. Mr Barker seconded the proposition. Mr Fleming proposed as an amendment' that the money be granted to Port Levy, on condition of their procuring an acre of land and appointing three trustees. The amendment was carried. The amount of £50 which had been voted to Little River Cemetery was revoted for another month. The grants for recreation purposes for Pigeon Bay and Little River were also revoted for three months. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. A statement of receipts and expenditure of the above Board was received. SLAUGHTER-HOUSES. The Inspector's report for July was read. COUNCIL CHAMBERS. An application was received from Messrs Hughes and Co., for a further progress payment on account of these buildings. On the motion of Mr Gebbie, it was resolved that the Chairman be authorised to make a payment in accordance with the Engineer's certificate, which had yet to be obtained. It was reported that Mr Fenton had been released from his position of surety, the amount to be deducted from the amount payable to the contractor. SUMMIT ROAD. In was resolved to write to the Chief Surveyor, asking him to re-grade the Summit road where it passes through unsurveyed land, where required. FINANCE. The Bank balances were reported to be as follows : —Akaroa County Fund, £2135 6s ; Special Grants, £1218 14s. DOG TAX. The Chairman suggested that the Council should take into consideration the advisability of endeavoring to get the collection of the dog-tax placed in the hands of the police.

Mr Gebbie said that in the Tai Tapu and Gebbie's Valley districts he did not think the police attended to this matter at all. There were very numerous dogs unregistered in that neighborhood. Mr Hay thought the police should make a house to house visitation, and summons all who could not produce receipts. It was resolved to write to the Superintendent of Police, calling his attention to the matter. Mr Barker thought a collector should be appointed for his district. He was aware that the present registrar did not ititend to act any longer. The matter was allowed to stand over till next meeting, Mr Barker promising to recommend some suitable person for the office. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Barker gave notice that at. the next meeting he would move that the money in the hands of the Council available for road purposes be allocated to the Road Boards. LICENSE FEE. Mr Gebbie called attention to the fact that he had been informed by the licensee of the Ellesmere Arms, Tai Tapu, that the license fee paid by him had gone to the Selwyn County Council. . He moved that if this were found to be the ease the Chairman take steps to have it rectfied. Carried. RAILWAY. The Chairman thought that some steps should he taken by the Council with re ference to the route of the proposed railway. He considered that it was a matter of the greatest importance to the district and to the Province at large. He suggested that the Council should appoint a committee to enquire into the proposed route. Mr Hay thought they could hardly go into the question yet. The Engineer had not sent in his plans. Mr Gebbie concurred. The Chairman bad not suggested that the matter should be discussed how, but that a committe be appointed to procure data and take such steps as might be deemed necessary to secure the carrying out of the best line. The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the above object:—Messrs Williams (Chairman), Hay, Dalglish, M'Donald, Barker and Coop, three to form a quorum. PAYMENTS. The following .account was passed for ', payment:— Fenton and Wilkins £15 18 0 The Council then adjourned till Saturday, September 20, at the same time and place.