AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 504, 13 May 1881, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

+ Tuesday, May 10. In accordance with sec 133 of the Municipal Corporations Act, a special meet ing of this Council was held on the above date, for the purpose of considering the balance-sheet for the year ending March 31st, 1881. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Noonan, Gutberlet, Black, Brown. Chamberlain, Bruce, and McGregor. Cr McGregor proposed that the accounts as laid before the Council be adopted. In doing so be had great pleasure in bearing testimony to the excellent maimer in which tbey had been laid before the Coun cil. On such a point he considered he was somewhat of an authority. He must congratulate His Worship and the Town Clerk on the manner in which they had been brought down Cr Black seconded the motion. In putting the resolution the Mayor disclaimed any share in the remarks which had fallen, he must say gracefully, from Cr McGregor. The whole credit was due to the Town Clerk, and in the name of the Council he desired to tender that officer their thanks. His Worship then signed the balancesheet and statements, and tho meeting terminated. ordinary meeting. Tho ordinary fortnightly meeting was then held, tho same councillors being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Apologies for absence wero received from Crs Sunckell and Cullen. The Clerk read tbe minutes of the meeting of sub-committee appointed to consider tenders for protective works to the bridges, showing that the tender of F. Halm had been accepted. correspondence. Letters were read— From the Hon. the Commissioner of Telegraphs (telegram), promising to abolish the extra charge of sixpence on telegrams to and from Akaroa, From tbe Department of Justice (per A. Hume, Inspector of Prisons), stating that the Government did not see its way to proclaim the Akaroa lock-up a gaol, and therefore prisoners could not at present be left there any length of time. From tbe Colonial Secretary's Office, re extension of time for preparation of the burgess roll. Prom the Rangitikei County Council (circular) enclosing a series of resolutions giving tlieir views on local government. Cr McGregor could not help thinking that circulars of this description were becoming a bit of a nuisance, lie thought local bodies had other duties to perform than to issue political manifestoes. Their representatives in Parliament assembled were quite able to attend to political matters. He would move that the Rangitikei County Council be written to informing them that this Council, considering tho circular just read to be of a political nature, declines t> express an opinion on the matter. The resolution was seconded by Cr Noonan, and, after a few remarks from His Worship, concurring in Cr McGregor's remarks, was put and carried. j WHARVES. Cr McGregor brought up an interim report of tho committee appointed to consider the question of the Akaroa wharves, ! With the latter was read some outward correspondence which the committee had sent to ascertain exactly the state cf the matter, legally and otherwise. In the absence of answers from counsel and others communicated with the committee asked for an extension of timo to bring up a further report. Extension granted. fi.nanue. Tho Mayor reported the receipts since last meeting to have been as follows :— Fees and fines £4 ss, Petroleum licenses £2, rent town reserves £4 10, total £10 15s. The credit balance at bank was reported to be £98 8s 91. The following accounts were passed for paymmt:—J. Ryan, contractor for Willi* m street £G 9s 6d, H. Burke 75 per cent on contract for main road £12, total £18 9s Gd. rate book. Crs Chambenain, Bruce and Brown appointed to sign the rate-book under sec. 41 of the Hating Act. burgess list. The Mayor read the lime fixed by the order in Council for the holding a meeting of the Council to hear and determine objections to the Burgess List. The meet-

ing must be held between the 19th an.-! ! the 23rd of May. B> in tt=o hand •■ \ of the Council as t0i1;..., dak: ■vhii-ii w<>i;!;i , suit them best. The opinion of lh< j ' "ni.-i! -•••.•liii:.: ;■•; : be that it would be m-.»re on v..-..:;..-.-.-- ~: have the ordinary meeting a»d tin: :J;k ci;', meeting referred to on the same evening, ! the 23rd. balguerie street. In answer to Cr McGregor His Worship stated that Mr Barwick had not as yet furnished him any report oa the necessary works in this street. He had promised him that report and one on the** wharf shortly. RATE. Pursuant to notice Cr McGregor moved that a rate of Is in the £ be imposed, to be payable in one sum on July 1 nextCarried. lighting;. Cr Chamberlain proposed his resolution to the effect that four lamps be replaced and lighted, viz., one at the Mail Office corner, and three on the breastwork. Cr McGregor asked His Worship's ruling on.the question whether the resolution was in order, in the face of the last resolution passed on the question. The Clerk read the resolution by virtue of which the lamps had b»;en extinguished, and his worship ruled that the motion was in order. Cr Bruce seconded the resolution. Cr No-man was opposed to the resolution, he thought that if they lit one, they should light nil. The Mayor reminded the Council that. by passing the resolution they would lie breaking faith with the ratepayers in the matter of Balguerie street, a work which the Council bad on more than one occasion undertaken to perform. If a strong desire existed among the ratepayers for the lighting, let them ask for it, and the cost could be provided for by a special rate. They all knew he bad a great objection to the Council going into debt. On former occasions they had paid sums of money as interest to tho Bank of New Zealand, which might have been laid out in giving employment to labor. Cr Black briefly supported the resolution. He considered the lamps would be a great public benefit, and the expense would be very small. Cr McGregor agreed with the remarks that had fallen from His Worship. It was true the cost would be small, but he objected on principle to frittering away £1 hero and £1 there. There were other places in the borough which were equally dangerous. Among the purposes for which they were instituted, lighting was not an important one. It only occupied sixth place among the list of their powers. In fact, it was hardly a function of the Council at all. It had been said outside that the Council were responsible for people tumbling over this sea-wall or breastwork. He wished publicly to state that such an idea was simply ridiculous. Cr McGregor concluded by proposing an amendment to the effect that the proposition be not entertained, and that the Council pass to the next business. Cr Noonan seconded the amendment. He thought they should light either all the lamps or none. Cr Black asked the mover if he could state what the probable cost would be. Cr Chamberlain had not the slightest idea. On a division there voted— For the amendment—Cn McGregor, Noonan, Gutbeilet, and the Mayor. Against it—Crs Chamberlain, Bruce, Brown, and B nek. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment, which was con sequently carried. The resolution was then put and lost. Cr Black then gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that three lamps bo lit along the breastwork. Cr Black was also about to give notice of some alteration in the bye-law re driving cattle, but at the suggestion of Cr McGregor ho consented to withdraw it, as another Councillor was understood to have the intention of moving in the matter in a somewhat more comprehensive manner. The Council then adjourned till Monday May 24.