AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 465, 7 January 1881, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 1881. A meeting of tins Council was held on the above date at their offices, Balgueric street. Present: —His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Cis Cullen, (xJtberlet, Noonan, McGregor, Black, Brown, and Bruce. The minutes- of the previous meetingwere read and confirmed. COIUU'SrONDKNOE. The Clerk read the outward correspondence, including a letter to the Commissioner of Telegraphs re the additional 6d charged on telegrams to and from Akaroa, The Council respectfully urged that as the deficiency in telegraph revenue was only £28, and the Commissioner admitted having effected a saving of £171. they could not see the necessity for the continuance of the additional impost. The letter further pointed out the fact that'in eight other offices where the deficiency was far greater than in Akaroa the charge had been removed, thus confirming the impression that Akaroa had been exceptionally treated. Letters were read—• From the Marine Department, referring to the jetiy known as Daly's, and asking by whom it was held, on what terms and conditions. (The letter has already appeared in our columns.) Tiie Mayor stated that on making enquiries he learned that a printed copy of

all the correspondence ivlalive (o the tenure of. the wharf was in the hands of (he representatives of the late Provincial Government. As Hie Town Clerk was going to Christchurdi on Saturday lie would suggest writing to Mr iMonigoineiy asking his co-operation in procuring copies of (lie documents in question. The suggestion was approved of, and a resolution passed authorizing tlie Clerk lo procure copies of the documents and forward them (o the Marine Department. From Mr \V. H. Gimdry, A*hbiirton, promising to attend to the Council's instructions re (he Asiiburlon reserves, rot) N r>, The Poundkeeper's report for the quarter ending Dec. 31st, 1880, was laid on the table, showing receipts of £3 12s for pound fees, and £1 Ga on a beast sold. Some conversation ensued, as to the advisableness of having these accounts compared with the poundkeeper's book before presentation. On the motion of Cr Bruce, it was resolved that, for the future the Town Clerk should inspect the bookß, and compare them with the report presented. FINANOV. His WojKhip reported the receipts since last meeting to he an follows :—Rates £10, Pound fees £4 18s, Dog Tax £1 lO.s. Total £10 6s. Credit Balance at Bank £75 11sGd. The following accounts were presented and passol for payment:—Poundkeeper's salary £3 15s, Post Office box £1. MISCELLANEOUS. Cr McGregor wished to know whether they were to have any statement from the Minis er for Public Works. Cr Culleu said as (he sole representative of the Works Committee, he was in favor of hinging on to as much of the money aa pnswible till the winter, or just before the winter. (Hear, hear.) He had no recommendaiion of any work to make. His Worship reported that the Town Clerk had applied for leave of absence for a fow days. The application was granted. He further stated that he had given permission to the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board, to use the Council Chambers as a polling place for the election to iake place on the following day. The action was approved. It was reported that the rate collector had issued several summonses for the recovery of rates. In all cases but one the money had been paid. In the case of Mr W. H. Henning (he Council had lost with costs, and the Town Clerk had received a wigging from the counsel on the other side. TOWN' CLKRK'S BOND. Pursuant to notice, Cr McGregor moved tli it a bond for the duo performance of his diiiie-i be procured for the Town Clurk from a Guarantee Company, the premiums to be p»id by the Council. In support of ihe proposition, the mover urged that the Clerk ought not to be compelled to put himself under an obligation to any burgesses or others by having lo find private sureties. He ought to he perfectly free and independent. Besides this,tl:e sureties were themselves disqualified from taking part in municipal affairs, and in so small a community they could ill afford to lose th° services of any. Cr Noonan seconded the motion. Cr Cullen did not quite see why the Council should rush into further expenou in this matter. There was a bond in existence which they would have to pay for. As they had to pay for lhi.«, he thought they should not go to the expense of. a second. In reply to Cr Bruce, Tiie Mayor stated that ho did not know what were the provisions of the present bond. It had Leun executed in his predecessor's time. As far as could be ascertained, it appeared that neilher the Clerk, his sureties, nor any nismber of tlu Council, had perused ihu bond in qu.-s^ion. A somewhat desultory discussion ensued, in the course of which His Worship expressed his concurrence in the opinions of Cr McGregor. Crs Cullen, Bruce, and Black thought the Council should ascertain if the present bond was sufficient before taking any fresh steps in the matter. Cr Cullen proposed an amendment to the effect that the existing bond be procured, and, if found sufficient, be acted on. On a division there voted—For the amendment, Crs Cullen, Bruce, Black, and Brown ; against it, Crs McGregor, Noonan, and the Mayor. Cr Gulhberlet left hi.s seat and declined to vote. The amendment was consequently carried. The meeting then adjourned.