AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 484, 4 March 1881, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, March 2.

A meeting of this Council was held on the above date at their offices, Balguerie street. Present:—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Cullen, Gutberlet, Brown, Black, Noonan, Bruce, and McGregor.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE. The Clerk read the outward corres-

pondence.

Letters were read— From the Town Clerk, Blenheim, asking for two copies of the Borough by-laws.

The copies asked for had been sent.

From the Colonial Secretary, in answer to the Council's enquiry re the morgue, referring the Council to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Board.

From Mr T. S, Johnson, 'complaining of the state of certain out-buildings adjoining his property in Balguerie street.

The matter was referred to tlic Inspector

of Nuisances,

From Mr Watkins, asking the Council to bear their share of some fencing between his property and one of the Council's reserves.

It was agreed to write to Mr Watkins, offering to bear half the expense, as requested. WORKS COMMITTEE. Cr Cullen reported that he had had an old culvert, situated in Balguerie street, repaired. The action was approved. A report and specification oh certain proposed repairs to the main road, drawn up by Mr J. Barwick, were read. On the motion of Or McGregor, the specifications were amended in two particulars, and the former eub-comraittee was continued in office, and authorised to call for tenders for the work and accept one. BALQUEBIE AND WILLIAM STREETS. The consideration of the petitions of residents in and near Balguerio street and William street which had been postponed from the Council's last meeting was now resumed. His Worship reminded the Council that the funds in hand amounted only to £100. Cr Cullen hoped that the Council would remember that they had promised to do this work twenty months ago. Cr McGregor suggested that the matter should be referred to the main road subcommittee with instructions to procure a report on the subject and report to the next meeting of the Council. Cr Noonan moved a resolution to that effect, which was carried. FINANCE. It wae reported that the receipts since laet meeting amounted to £1 for dog tax, and that the credit balance at tho Bank was £101 5i Id. The following accounts were passed for payments :—Clerk's salary £4 3s 4d, New Zealand Directory £1 12s, H. Burke (burying carcases, etc) 8s ; total, £6 3s 4d. AKAROA HOSPITAL. Mr Montgomery's letter re the Immigration Barracks was again read. The consideration of it had been left over from the previous meeting. In connection with the same subject the Mayor mentioned that on the previous evening, Sergeant Willis had brought under his notice a case of destitution of a man, his wife and ohildren. He thought tho Charitable Aid Board sho'ild be communicated with, as to the Mayor having some discretionary power to dispense assistance in casos like tho one referred to. They had to contribute to the general funds and they should have power to act in such cases. Cr McGregor thought the whole question of the administration of charitable aid was in a most unsatisfactory condition. The matter was administered by an irrosponeible Board located at a distance, and the 'oca! bo-lies had no control whatever over tho expenditure, though their constituents had to bear the costThere was no doubt that during the ensuing session legislation must take plnce on the subject, but meanwhile he thought they ehould write to the Board, asking them to give His Worship power to act in cases such as had just been mentioned.

The Mayor'B action in the matter was approved, and it was resolved to write to the Board, asking for authority to act in cases of emergency.

UNANBW«RED LETTERS.

His Worship said he thought it only right to draw attention to the fact that the Council had received no answer from the Government to their communications with reference to the additional telegraph charges and the whnrf. Hβ considered the Council was not being treated proporly in the matter. Cr McGregor was glad His Worship had brought the matter up. Ho saw by a telegram in last night's Press that the Government had resolved to maintain the additional charge on telegrams. He hoped the Press would take notice of the fact that no reply had been received to the Council's letters, and should like to Bee the correspondence published from the point where it was formerly published. FORB EHORE. Cr McGregor eaid that it appeared the public had fallen into an error with regard to the position of the Council aa to the fore shore. He had no motion to move on the subject, but from his place in the Council he wished to disabuse the public mind of on error. There was not the slightest doubt ae-to the fact that the foreshore was entirely under the control of the Council. No one else had any right whatever over it. The Gazette notice dated July 22nd, 1876, was quite clear on the point. Two letters from the Colonial Secrerary, dated March i 9 and July 4, 1878, also referred to the matter in the most positive manner. Some conversation ensued, in which several councillors confessed to having been misinformed on the question, and the matter then dropped. NOTICE OF MOTION Cr McGregor gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move " That a sub-committee of the Council be appointed to confer with the Akaroa County Council on the subject of the hospital and charitable aid in connection with the Borough and county generally ; and to watch the progress of any Bill tliat may be submitted to Parliament on the subject." The Council then adjourned.