AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 389, 27 April 1880, Page 2

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of this Council was held on Saturday, April 24, at the Council Chambers, Duvauchelle's Bay. Present—Messrs Daiglish (in the chair), BPad ley, Barker. Coop, Fleming, Gebbie, M'Donald, and Williams. MINUTES. . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. The Chairman then read, his usual statement, particulars off which will be found'under the different headings below. TENDERS. Before opening the tenders for the diversion of Balguerie street, the Chairman read a letter, received .from Messrs Fenton and Wilkins, reporting on tho matter, and expressing their opinion that the offer in the matter for compensation for land for the proposed diversion by Mr Lelievre was" a very fair one, and one that should be accepted. Mr Williams thought it would be advisable, before opening tbe tenders for carrying out the portnn of the diversion of the road near Mr Lelievre's, to wait till Mr Armstrong could be seen, as it was most desirable that the Council should know what terms he (Mr Armstrong) would accept for his portion of the land required for the continuation of the diversion, as it would be absurd to do the first piece unless the Council could carry the road through. Mr M'Donald concurred in the opinion expressed by Mr Williams. Mr Armstrong being called, the Chairman asked what terms he would be willing to accept. In reply, he said he would he perfectly willing to accept only a fair compensation in accordance with the usual liberal terms of the Council. After much discussion on the matter, The Chairman suggested that in order to do away with all the difficulty, Mr Armstrong should send the Council a letter, as wa3 done in Mr Lelievre's case, agreeing that unless an amicable understanding could be come to between himself and lbe Council as to the amount of compensation he would require, he would be willing for the matter to be left to arbitration. Mr Armstrong having complied, Uie following tenders for the first portion , of the work were opened : — W. N. Jones, per chimin ... £4 4 6 „ fencing . ... 1 15 6 „ lump sum ... 120 10 0 Funnel and Curragh, per chain 2 10 0 ~ „ fencing 15 0 „ „ lumpsum 85 10 0 Hawthorn and Bray, per chain 2 10 0 ■ „ ■ „ fencing... 1 10 0 „ „ lumpsum 70 0 0 The Chairman read Mr Lelievre's offer to the Council to permit that body to deviate the road running through sections 4127, 7433, and 12,390 from the end of the present graded line to Mr Armstrong's boundary for £50, the Council to fence the upper side of the road. ! Mr Qoop suggested that MrLdicvre's offer be received, and that the' Chairman .bo authorised to have the conveyance of said land prepared. Mr .Bradley seconded: Carrjed. j Mr. Coop proposed—." That Mr Armstrong's letter, offering land for I the continuance of the diversion of Balguerie street bo received, subject, to tenins to bo agreed upon between "tiieN Council and himself, or in case of nor. being able to agree to bf» loft to arbitration." Mr Williams seconded. Carried unanimounly. Mr Williams proposed, and Air Gebbie i seconded—''That Hawthorn and Bray's tenderjie acceptor!." Carried. / ERECJ'ION OF FENCE \ND FILLING IN COUNCIL STABLES. J. Reed and Co.,- fencing ... £5 17 6 stable ... 2 17 -6 ■ John Bassett aud Co., fencing... 6 2 6 ~ . •; „ . stables... 2 15 0 Mr Coop moved that J.'Reed and Oo.'s ' tender be accrpted. Mr'Williams'pointed out that no time was mentioned in their tender. Mr Coop made his motion to read— "That Messrs J.'Reed and Co.'s tender being the lowest be accepted for the fencing and completion of stable, subject to the work being completed within six weeks from date of acceptance." Mr Williams seconded. Carried. SUBSIDIES. The business next brought before the Council was the Hospital and Charitable Aid subsidies, showing that tho Council were in to the amount of £115 8s 10d that the full subsidy was £564 lis 2d ; that the Hospital grant was £450, and the Charitable Aid was £242. Mr Williams thought the amounts unfair, and thought it should be represented to the Government. He would move— "That the debt supplied to this County from the Government, with respect to the proportion due. by the County for Hospital and Charitable Aid and result be,sent, with tbo.se of tho two previous years, to onr member, with a view of ascertaining how so large a difference has taken place in these items in the time specified " Seconded by Mr Gebbie and carried. CORRESPONDENCE. The following inward correspondence was read :— From J. li.. Baker, stating that he had instructed Mr Welch, on his return to Akaroa, from his survey at the Pnrau and ■ Lyttelton triangular, to define the road bounding section 9M, Balguerie street, as required. Tho Chairman thought it would be hardly necessary to wait before proceeding ! with the work, as Mr Welch could .not be ready in lens than two months. Mr M'Donald suggested that it would be expedient to wait. Mr Gebbie moved—".That J. H. Baker, Esq., be written to, thanking him for his letter consenting to define the Balguerie j road bounding section N'«. %i, and that j the forming of Shat portion of tlie road be

held over till it had been defined by the surveyor." Seconded by Mr M'Donald, and carried unanimously. From the Treasury, Wellington, requesting information required under section 32 of "The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876," and at the same time intimating the intention of the Government to discontinue the payment of subsidies after the expiration of tho financial year. Discussion on the matter held over. From S. Watkins, Esq., Secretary to the Domain Committee, re supply of trees and plants, and requesting that applicants should state by what time they require the trees, so that one day might be appointed for sending a man. to dig them,up, and stating that applicants are compelled to remove such trees after they are dug. The Chairman said that at present the Rev H. Stocker was the only applicant. Mr Williams proposed — "That the Council advertise for applicants from the . Public Local Boards who wish for grants of forest trees, applications to be sent in before May 22nd." Mr Gebbie thought the date too late, and that it would not be necessary for the whole Council to consider the applications, and that the matter might be left to the Chairman. Mr Williams altered his motion to the 15 day, the applications to be addressed to the Chairman, and for him to consider them. Mr Gebbie seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. ' From Port Levy Road Board, applying for grant promised towards tbe Cemetery Trust of £10; stating that a trust had been appointed, and an acre of land secured for;the purpose, according to conditions imposed by the Council. '"'A second letter from the same, applying for an extra grant to be made if the money could be spared, as the amount, £10, was too small. Proposed by Mr Gebbie, seconded by Mr Bradley, aud carried—" That the vote of £10 for the Port Levy Cemetery be handed oyer on receipt being received from three trustees."

With regard to second letter, the Clerk was instructed to write htating that no more money could be granted, as the Council were not in funds.

From residents in Laverick's Bay, asking for grant towards Cemetery.

This letter was held over from last meeting.

Romdved that, the Clerk reply, stating that the Council were out of funds.

From Akaroa and Wainui Rial Board, enclosing copy of report from Mr 11. Piper re Lake Forsyth road, and asking the Council lv adjudicate on the matier between the Little River and the Alcwua and Wainui Road Boards.

Mr Gebbie said he considered tho matter bad already considered by the Council ; that it hud been resolved to allow the matter to be arranged by tho Boards themselves, and that it would not be well to discuss the matter any further.

Mr Williams differed. Ho thought it rested with the Council to settle the matter. Proposed by Mr Gobbio—" That the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board be written to, stating that it had already been decided to leave the matter for the two Boards to decide on what portion of tho balance of the special grant for the Lako Forsyth road each Board shall receive." Seconded by Mr Coop. Mr Williams proposed as an amendment —-'That the Litth; River Road Board be written to, stating that a report from the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board had been received re the Mount Bos3ii special grant, and asking them to forward their report on this matter to the Council with a view to a settlement. The amendment was seconded by Mr M'Donald, 'which,'oh'beingput," was lust. The original motion- was- >then put and carried by j;a majority of 'I one, Messrs Williams, .Barker, and M't)onald dissentin ff- . .. , ':"'': ; •-: ! From the fesidentfsM Little River, complaining that; no; satisfactory explanation could bo obtained of moneys paid [out by thii Council to Mr G. It. Joblin oil behalf of Cemetery aud Recreation ground, and asking tor information. ; The Chairman stated that the Cemetery money had been paid over, the usual conditions having been observed with regard to a receipt from three trustees being supplied. Ttie Clerk stated, in reply to Mr Coop, that he had received "a receipt .from the Bank oc ivlew Zealand for the amount lodged there by him ; that the recreation money had not .been paid in as thb Council had not beeu furnished with the necessary receipts. . ~ ' Mr Gebbie proposed that, in reply to the Little River residents, they be informed that the grant of £50 for the Littie River Cemetery was paid into the Bank of New Zealand, Cnristehurch, and that the Recreation grant was still in tho hands of the Council as no receipt had beeu forwarded. Mr Coop explained that the residents, being somewhat inquisitive on the matter, had written to tho Bank, asking whetler the money had been paid in by 'Mr Joblin, and received a reply to the effect that no money had been paid in. Mr Bradley seconded Mr Gebbie's motion, which was carried. PIGEON BAY RECREATION GROUND. The Chairman said ho would again bring forward the matter of the Pigeon Bay Recreation grant, tho claim to which was fojfcited through lapse of time ; he would leave it to the Council to decide what should be done in the matter. Mr Coop proposud that, as Mr Hay was absent, the matter should be shelved. The Chairman said it had been decided three months back that this consideration should be final. In reply to Mr Gebbie, the Clerk stated that there were seven ; Recreation Ground Committees, to each of, which £57 2s lOd had been given, and that Akaroa had first been allotted £500. Proposed by Mr Gebbie that the sum of £57 2s lOd, which had been voted to the Pigeon Bay Recreation Ground Committee, be struck off the list, and that the sum be equally divided amongst tho other Committees. Seconded by Mr Barker, and carried unanimously. PAYMENTS. The following accounts were passed for ■payment:— Lyltelton Times and Star ... £12 2 0 Fenton and Wilkins, survey of Balguerie Road Extension... 29 18 6 'Wiggins-and Co., printing ... 2 5 0 Treasurer, 500 cheque books ... 2 1 8 £46 7 2 '

MOTION ON NOTICE. , Mr Williams moved—"That this Council take over tho road known in this district as the Summit road, in terms of the Public Works' Act, clause 88." • Mr Barker seconded the motion. In compliance with a request from Mr Coop, clause 88 of the Public Works Act, touching upon the power of the County Council taking over any roads other than Borough roads, was read. Mr Williams pointed out that the Council had already taken over one road, the Balguerie one, and done so illegally, as they had not caused the road to, ibe gazetted ; that this was not the first time of adopting the Act. Mr Barker said he would like to see the Council take over all the roads. Mr Coop said he thought it all very well to talk about taking over, all roads, but he could not see how the County could allocate the money. He could easily undorstand Mr Barker advocating taking over all the roads, as the Road Board he represented were out of funds, so things could not bo much worse with them than they were. '' • , • ■' • ; > ■:•■'. Clause 187 of the Public .Works Act was read, proving that the. Council had full legal power to spend money upon improving any roads other than borough roads. Mr Williamß submitted that the clause was being wrongly interpreted, and that it was necessary, in order to arKve at the true meaning of the. Act, to take clauses 181, 187, and 193 together. Mr Coop proposed as an amendment — "That this Council do not take over the Summit =road until there is greater cause shown for such purpose, and at any rate until there is greater necessity for the same road." .:;•:■ ; Seconded by Mr Gebbie, and carried by a majority of three, Messrs Williams and Barker dissenting. The Council then adjourned to May 29, at 11 a.m.