AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 343, 31 October 1879, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, October 29. The usual fortnightly meeting of this Council was held in the offices, Balguerie street, on the above date. Worship the Mayor (in the*chair), Crs Penlington, Meech, Bruce, Henning, and O'Reilly. • The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confirmed. > CORRESPONDENCE. | The Clerk read the outward correspondence. " • | A letter was received from the Colonial Secretary's office, in reply to a letter regarding the non payment of the £ for £ subsidy,"informing the Council ■■ that preparations are being made by the Treasury Department for the early payment of all subsidies for the half-year ending 31st December, 1879." From A. G. Wiggins, Secretary Oddfellows' Lodge No. 4829, informing the Council that instructions had been given to alter the doors of their new hall so that they open outwards. Cr Armstrong applied for leave of absence for eight weeks on account of his business engagements, On the motion of Cr Bruce, seconded by Cr Henning, Cr Aimstrong's request was granted. FINANCE. Cr Meech, Chairman of Finance Committee reported verbally that--at a recent interview with the Bank's representative that gentleman had informed him that he would only honor cheques for office purposes and other absolutely necessary engagements for which cheques had been issued, and not yet presented, until the present overdraft has been covered. WORKS COMMITTEE. Cr Penlington, as Chairman of this Committee, reported that they had done nothing and spent no money since last meeting. This report also assumed the verbal form. PAYMENTS. The following account was passed for payment:—J. Yewen, two months' lamplighting to 27th inst., £9 9s 7d. R. M. COURT FEES. On the motion of Cr Meech, seconded by Cr O'Reilly, the Clerk was directed to ask the Town Clerk, Cirri st church, how the fines from the R. M. Court, under the Borough By-laws, were paid to the Borough Fund Account, and whether the custom was to pay them direct into the Bank or through the Treasury ; and also enquiring-of that officer what forms were used by tho Clerk to the K. M. Court, Christchurch, in giving notice to the Council of the payments.

The motion was put and carried. ASIIBURTON RESERVES. Tho question of those reserves was then considered, the feeling of the Council evidently beintr that their agent, Mr Barker, had hardly dealt fairly with them in the matter.

After a long discussion, Cr Henning moved that the business of letting the Ashburton Reserves be taken out of Mr C. F. Barker's hands, and that he be informed to "that effect.

The motion was seconded by Cr Pen lington, and carried.

It was further proposed by Cr O'Reilly —" That Messrs Ford and Newton and Matson and Co., of Christchurch, and Messrs Bullock and Co., of Ashburton,-and others be written to, asking if they would be willing to undertake the letting of the Council's Ashburton Reserves, and if so, on what terms, such terms to cover all expenses of advertising, &c." This proposition was seconded by Cr Henning, and carried. charitable aid. The Council then went into committee to consider Cr Penlington's motion in reference to tho matter of the local Charitable Aid, of which lie had given previous notice. The Council afterwards resumed when it appeared that they had resolved to suspend all. payments in connection with Charitable Aid for the time being, but that the .present recipients might make fresh applications to the Council if they could show that their circumstancs required it. RETURNING OFFICER. The motion of Or Henning in reference to advertising for a fresh Returning Officer lapsed for want of a seconder. The Council then adjourned.