AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 323, 22 August 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, August 20. A special meeting of this Council was j held on the above date, at their office, Balguerie street. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Meech, Bridge, O'Reilly, Bruce, Wiggins, and Cullen. The minutes of the special meeting held on June 18 were read and confirmed. The mayor stated the object of the meeting, which was to consider tho propriety of making an alteration in one of the by-laws by adding the words "or thoroughfare" tp the by-law which prohibits furious riding in " any street or private street." Cr O'Reilly moved the resolution to that effect of which he had given notice. He urged that at present the police were powerless to enforce this by-law as it was held that the beach was not a " street or private street." Cr Bruce seconded the resolution. Cr Bridge quite concurred with the object sought to be attained by the resolution, but doubted whether the addition proposed would not be considered ultra vires. Ho would suggest that a legal opinion be obtained on the matter. Cr Cullen thonght there was no doubt that the beach was used as a thoroughfare as a matter of fact. After a little further conversational discussion, the resolution was put and carried unanimously. The Ordinary " Meeting then took place. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

COBRESPONDENCE. The outward correspondence was road. Letters were read— From Mr C. F. Barker, forwarding tbe ■ Crown grants for the Ashburton Reserves. From the Treasury, advising the payment of £60 17s lid as balance of subsidy due- to the Borough up. to June 30. A sum of £12 had been deducted from the amount on account of Charitable Aid. The Clerk reported that he had written to ask for all explanation of this deduction. From the same, advising payment of ss, fines received in the R.M. Court during June. From Mr E. Leprou, asking permission to make an additiou to his blacksmith's Shop. ,- ' ■ ■": ■■'■ ■■ • -■■•■ T-- : (Or Penlington here entered the chamber.) This letter gave rise to considerable enquiry and discussion as to the tenure on wliich Leprou held the land on which the shop stood. Or Ciillen moved that Mr Loprou be charged £5 a year rent." The--proposition waa socondod by Or Bridge, and carried. From Mr C. F. Barker, onoloMing his account for money paid by him for advertising, amounting to £48 ibn 9d. From Mr 0. \V. Brklgo, etatititf that a cow belonging , to him had bwn hoIiJ out of the pound, tho nott proeooiU being £4 IGs Gd. It was resolved I hat tho money bo-re-funded to Mr Britlgo. Cr O'lioilly proponed Unit tho pound-, keeper bo written to asking him to fur-' nish particulars as to (lie amount of charges deducted from tho proceeds of tho sale of the cow in qucHtion. A letter (supposed to bo from Smith), but without any signature, was produced by the Clerk, but not received. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. This report was read. The Committee reported that they had caused plans and specifications to be prepared for the bridge in Jollie street, and called for tenders for the work. They also recommended that the penalty re lighting the lamps be strictly enforced, as the Committee do not consider that the contract is being faithfully carried out. They had also empowered the Chairman to have the lump in the roadway opposite the Masonic Hall removed at once. A long discussion ensued on the first clause of the report, in which the specifications for the work were criticized, and the question of the position of the bridge, and the probable course of tho creek, were entered into. Ultimately the question was postponed for a fortnight, the tenders not to be opened till then. Cr Wiggins proposed the adoption of the remaining clauses of the report. Cr O'Reilly seconded the motion. On this motion a somewhat acrimonious controversy ensued between the Mayor and Cr Cullen, as to the manner in which the work in Jollie street had been carried out. The motion was carried. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:— Fenton and Wilkins £6 18 0 C. Burns, cartage ; ..i ...080 ~ progress payment ... 20 0 0 C. W. Bridge, re-fund 4 16 6 Sundry accounts —day labor ... 5 10 3 A. Scott, cartage and labor ... 13 9 0

£51 1 9 With regard to an account from Mr C. F. Barker, amounting to £48 15s 9d, it was resolved to communicate with that gentleman, and to ask him to furnish particulars of the amount. ELECTIONS. ' A discussion cropped up about the coming elections. Cr Wiggins thought the matter should be left in the hands of the Returning Officer, which was agreed to. FOOTPATHS. ' . ' Cr Q'Re.illy moved that notices be sent to all ratepayers liable for tlie footpaths, calling upon them to pay up. He hoped this time the resolution would not bo allowed to remain a dead letter. Cr Callen seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. " Returning Officer. Cr Meech moved that applications be invited for the office of Returning Officer to the Borough. He would suggest that the fee be fixed at a guinea for a nomination, and a guinea for a poll. The motion was seconded bj-CrPen--lington, and carried. FOOTPATH NEAR THE BANK. '~" : \ Cr Meech brought the position of this' work under the notice of the Council, and asked for instructions as to what should -be done to drain this spot. -' ■ "■ -* • ; On the suggestion of Cr Penlington, it was resolved to fill in the drain with stones and scrub. JOLLIE STREET BRIDGE. The plans and specifications for this bridge, on the motion of Cr O'Reilly, were referred to a committee to report on them to the next meeting of the Council. The Council then adjourned at 10.30 p.m.