AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 390, 30 April 1880, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the above Council was held at their Chambers, Balguerie street, on Wednesday last, the 28th instant. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs O'Reilly, Cullen, Armstrong, Kissel, Bridge, Wiggins, and Penlington. MINUTES. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and passed; likewise the minutes of the adjourned meeting, held on Wednesday last, wore confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The following inward correspondence was next read :— From Colonial Secretary, Wellington, re Government Wharf, and saying the matter would be attended to without delay. Cr Wiggins asked if there was no outward correspondence, as it was usual to read that first. The Clerk after a long search and consideration, replied that there was none. Cr O'Reilly asked whether the Council was aware that W. H. Henning, Esq., lessee, had been instructed to ieporton the wharf, and wished to know whether it was the intention of the Council to leave the drawing up of the report to-Mr Henning, or to employ a competent engineer. His Worship said he believed Mr Hen« ning would do it, as the Government had directed 'him to, and that the Council could not interfere ; although, for his part, he would like an engineer to be employed. Cr Bridge said he hardly felt satisfied to leave the matter as it was. He thought it was shirking the affair, and would ask the Council if they could not take more active steps in the matter. He would like the Clerk to be directed to write again to the Government, and draw their attention to the fact that very shortly a large sum of money (£140) was to be" paid over to the Treasury, and for the Government to be asked that the same, sum, or. part of it, ought to spent on the wharf. He thought that if the money were once placed.in the , Government coffers, it would not be likely to be returned. Cr Cullen thought this had all been done before, and that such a step 1 would be unnecessary. • ' :'',. • His Worship said he thought it might be well to ask the Government to appoints an engineer to suryey and report, on the wharf. He thdiight Mr Henning. was, perhaps, no mdre capable than himself to undertake the work. < Cr Wiggins thought the letter, aa a common matter of courtesy, should be replied to. He, by his own experience, knew the Government weie apt to let these things fall into oblivion, and would suggest that the Clerk be instructed to write and urge the matter on. He thought no particular amount should bo asked for, as it might possibly take a much larger sum than was expected. Cr Kissel quite agreed with Cr Wiggins, but he would object to the least hint being given to the Government of the Council taking over the wharf. Cr Bridge said, in explanation of his suggestion of the Council taking over the wharf, that the proposition was only his own opinion, and he bowed to the decision of the Council in the matter ; but merely suggested that the Government be written to again, urging the necessity of immediate steps in the matter. Cr O'Reilly said that the Council had received no statement to the effect that Mr Henning had been instructed to inspect and report on the wharf. It was only fro» the Akaroa Mail that the information had been spread about. j

Cr Penlington thought Mr Henning should be waited upon, and asked if he had received instructions in the matter from the Government, and if such was the case the Council might appoint some one to act conjointly with Mr Henning, and that the Government should not be asked at all to appoint an engineer, as they would think the Council were interfering with their business.

Cr Wiggins said he thought the Government would not be at all likely to look at the matter in that light. He would ba quite willing to leave the answering of the letter to his Worship the Mayor, after an interview with Mr Henning. Cr Bridge moved—" That the Clerk be instructed to write to the Government to acknowledge receipt of their letter, urging upon tbem again to attend to the matter promptly." Seconded by Cr Cullen. Carried. From Edmiston Brothers and Gundry, auctioneers, Ashburton, intimating that account sales were being forwarded, together with the account for tracings.

WORKS COMMITTEE. There being at present no Chairman, His Worship said there were no reports. Cr O'Reilly said, as one of the Committee, he would report that there were three men employed cleaning the footpaths, and he thought they were progressing very favorably. He believed his Worship the Mayor kept a constant eye over them. That the contractors for the gravelling had not yet started, as his Worship and himself had thought the first job most important. Cr Bridge thought it would be advisable for the Chairman of Committee to have a written report of what work had been done during each fortnight, to lay before the Council. He noticed the same was always done in Christchurcb. He did not know whether it was the duty of the Chairman of the Council or Chairman of the Committee. Kis Worship replied that at present there was not a chairman of Works or Finance Committee. He could state that he had taken it upon himself to inspect the works being done. He intended, when the ordinary business came on, to to propose that both be appointed. LAMPLIGHTER. Cr Wiggins stated that the Lamplighter had complained to him that he had not been paid his cheque for the past two months, and that he had threatened to sue the Council unless it was paid at once. He drew attention that a cheque, signed April 1, was in the book, and asked why it had not been paid. The Clerk said that the lamplighter had only called that day, and said he would return, but had not done so. Cr Wiggins said he understood differently. Cr O'Reilly said that every-thing that Yewen said could not be taken as Gospel. Or Cullen said he did not think it at all right that the man should be kept so long out of his money, and stated that the lamplighter had called several times, and that on one occasion his wife had applied. When the wife called the Clerk had refused to pay it, because he alleged a rate was due. He (Cr Cullen), did not think it at all right; stoppage was no payment. His Worship said the Clerk had informed him that he would not pay the lamplighter's wife as she could not sign a receipt. Cr Armstrong said he knew that the man had been down last Monday, waiting about for four hours, and could not find the Clerk. His Worship said the Clerk ought to be in his office at office hours. Cr Cullen said another account due to Mr Citron had not been paid, and asked the reason. Cr Penlington showed a receipt for the amount in the cheque book, and dated April 27. Cr Wiggins here left the chamber. ACCOUNTS. Fer Halms, light on bridge for throe months ... £4 11 0 „ pound fees ... 4 4 6 » . . „- fl2 ? Wiggins and Co., printing, &c. 5 0 1 Charles Schubert, labor ... 318 0 J. Birdling, labor .. 311 6 John Yewen, lamplighter "... 5 8 4 It was resolved that Mr Halm's account was unintelligible, and must stand over for another meeting. The rest were passed Iter payment. Cr Cullen having been absent for a few minutes returned, and stated that Mr Citron's account was not yet paid, and that the cheque was gone from the book. His Worship alleged that it was not the Clerk's duty to carry the cheques to the I people. | In reply to a direct question put by Cr Cullen, the Clerk acknowledged that Mr Citron was not yet paid. Cr Wiggins here resumed his seat. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. His Worship said it was the duty of the Council to appoint a Chairman of Works Committee, and a Chairman of Finance.

Cr Bridge asked who were on the different Committees, and was informed that on the Finance Committee the names were— His Worship the Mayor, Crs Penlington and Bridge. Works Committee—'His Worship the Mayor, Crs O'Reilly, Penlington, and Bruce. , Cr O'Reilly begged to propose—•« That Cr Kissel be appointed Chairman of the Works Committee." ■> Cr Wiggins seconded. Carried unanimously . Or Bridge proposed and Cr Armstrong -seconded—"That Cr O'Reilly be appointed .Chairirian of the Works Committee." Carried unanimously. BALANCE SHEET. Cr Penlington asked if any infoimation was to hand from the auditors re the Balance Sheet. His Worship stated, in reply, that he had had the same trouble in the matter with the Clerk as he had had last year ; that he had urged the matter on him over and over again, but that his inquiry had been of no avail; that nothing was done. He had instructed tlje Clerk to have the balance sheet and books ready this evening on the table. Balance Bhcet produced. Cr Wiggins said if that was a rough copy, it did not even purport to be what was required by the Government, as it was only a half-year's statement instead of a year's, and that the auditors had distinctly said they could get neither a balance sheet nor access to the books.

Cr O'Reilly said too much attention was being paid to outside talk, and that it was the duty of the auditors to send an official letter to the Council, and not to make statements to members outside. Cr Cullen said the Clerk had distinctly stated at the last meeting that the balance sheet was in the auditors' hands, and he found that no such thing was the case. The Clerk had failed to produce the books. His Worship stated in explanation that " the books were not prepared. "•-; Cr Penlington said that in that ca3e no balance sheet could be made out. Cr O'Reilly said that under the Act the Council had no right to demand the balance sheet or the books until the balance sheet was audited. * (His Worship called him to order, and said he would have to apply to the Council for defence if he was not obeyed). Cr Wiggins said the Council were not responsible for the Auditors, but that it was their duty to see that the books and balance sheet were got ready for them, and quoted from the Act showing that April 15 was the last day the Council were allowed for the work. He said it was betraying a trust to allow, such a state of affairs to continue, and that no longer excuse could be given if the things

were not immediately taken in hand by the Council. Cr Penlington thought the Finance Committee should take the matter entirely in their own hands, and call in some competent person to make up the book. He moved—" That the Finance Committee be requested to see that the Balance sheet be made out as required by the Act, and also to call the assistance of some competent person." Cr Cullen seconded. Carried. Cr Kissel asked for an explanation of the Finance Committee being impowered to call in some competent person to assist in making up the books. He thought it was not definite that the time when such a person could be called in should be specified ; and moreover, he asked who was to pay for such assistance. He thought as it was through the gross negligence and the stupidity of the Clerk, the amount charged should be deducted from his salary. His Worship said he quite agreed with €r Kissel's remarks. BURGESS ROLL. Cr Wiggins drew attention to the fact that a meeting Bhould have been convened for the purpose of oorrecting and signing the Burgess Roll. Section 105 of the Act provided that this meeting should be held between the 22nd and 30th of April, and three days public notice be given of it. It was now too late to give the required notice, and.he feared it would be necessary to ask the Government to validate the proceedings which they might now take. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor to attend to. HAHN'S BRIDGE. Cr Armstrong asked if Mr Morey had signed the contract for Hahn's Bridge. His Worship replied that he had, and that the work would be started tomorrow. BALGUERIE STREET DRAIN. Cr O'Reilly asked the Council to authorize the Works Committee to see that this drain be cleared out. He was informed that it was already in the hands of the Works Committee. The Council then adjourned.