AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 520, 8 July 1881, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July G

A meeting of tliis Council was held on the above date at their offices, Ifylguerie street. Present, His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Noonan, Brown, Culler, and Bruce. Tlie minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Clerk read the outward correspondence. Letters were read— From Cr McGregor, apologising for absence from the meeting on the ground of a most influential cold." Verbal apologies were received from Crs Chamberlain and Sunckell on the ground of illness. From the Colonial Secretary (circular), nsking for information as to the amount paid during 1880 for valuing property and making up the valuation roll in accordance with an order of the House of Representatives. It appeared that during the year in question the work had been included in the duties of the Town Clerk. It was resolved to reply to that effect. From Mr R. Bayley, complaining of the bad state of the creek below Halm's contr.ict, and threatening to hold the Council responsible in the event oi a fresh coming and washing away his property. On the motion of Cr Bruce the Works Sub-committee was instructed to interview Mr Earwick on the matter with power to act if necessary. From Mr K. Goodwin, complaining of the inconvenience he suffered through the bridge near his place being blocked up against traffic. Ho contended that the bridge was as safe now as it had been for years. The Mayor reminded councillors that if any accident happened through the bridge being lei t open they would be answerable, and not Air Goodwin. In answer to His Worship, Cr Cullen informed the Council that he was still of the same opinion as when he examined tlie bridge, that it was still unsafe for heavy traffic. Or Bruce suggested that Mr Barwii-k be asked to examine and report on it. Cr Noonan moved tiiat Mr Goodwin be informed that the Council did not think it expedient to remove tlie barricade in the present unsafe condition of the briilgt-. Carried. From Mr F. Lelievre, asking tlie Council to do something to tho ro'id leading from his house to Afoiroa. Resolved that Mr Lelievre be informed that the Council recognised the necessity of the work, but that their present financial position would not allow them to entertain the question. From the managers of the Catholic Church property, challenging the Council, as in possession af the reserve bounding the property to pay their share of a dividing fence. It was resolved to authorize the Catholic body to get the work done, and that the Council wou'd pay their share. From the Akaroa and Wainni Koad Board, asking tho Council to undertake the repair oO the culvert near Mr Wfeokerle's, the Board agreeing to bear their fair share of ihe cost. The Mayor pointed out that the place in question was outside the boundary of the Borough, and read the Gazette description of the boundaries. Cr Brown proposed that the Road Board be written to, referring thoin to the Gazette containing the boundaries of the Borough, showing that the culvert was outside the Borough. BANGER. Two applications were received for the office of Ranger for the Borough. Mr 11, Hewer offered to undertake the duties for £50 a year. Mr F. Hahn tendered for the same work for £15. The Mayor thought the intention of tho Council was to pay by results. They might pay a salary and get nothing Uono tor it. It was resolved tbat neither application bo entertained. BALGUERIK SJ.TiEET. Mr Berwick wrote, stating that he had made a cursory inspection of BaL'uoric street. He went on to ask the Council various questions as to what they required done. The Mayor thought that Mr Barwick should tn.'iko recomaiendiitions to tho Council, instead of asking them to make i the same to him. ! Ur Cullen thought ihey would have to fall bank on Mr Fenton's plans and specifications. Cr Bruce suggested that Mr Barwick should be invited to inspect Mr Fonton's plans, and bo asked to supply a modified plan suitable to the present position of the Council. He moved a resolution to that effect. Cr Oullen strongly opposed submitting tho plans of a qualified engineer to Mr Berwick. He thought tho Council should at once call for tenders for the work J accoiding to the plans and specifications nlroadj' in the office. He moved an timaruhuonl that this be done. The amendment did not find a seconder, and Cr Brace's resolution was carried, Or Cullen dissenting. WOriKrf CUMMITTEK. Or Cullen reported chat the Works Subcommittee hail li.".d various culverts cleared out, and other small repairs effected. He naked that the committee should have power to employ occasional hibor for ncceKsary works of a small description. The action of tho covnmitteo was approved, and they were authorized to employ labor when requisite. WIIAIU-'. Or Bruce reported that, i:i accordance with t.lie Council's instructions, ho had had certain ivpa:r.s ei'i'ociccl on the wharf, Tho fiction vras approved. '

In the absence of Cr McGregor, the Mayor read the report of the Wharf Committee, who had agreed to the following recommendations:—• (1) They had accepted a tender from Mr 11. Burke for keeping the lamp on the wharf lighter! for twelve months for £21. (2) They had received a letter from the Marine Board offering a sixth order of port light foi £43. The committee did not recommend tho expenditure, but recommended th.it a green glass bo inserted in the present lamp. (3) The committee recommended that the consent of the present wharfinger be asked to tlie scale of fees now in force being revised. In the event of a favorable reply being received, the committee would proceed at once to arrange a fresh scale of charges which would be submitted for the Council's approval. [The Mayor read a letter from Mr W. H. Henning, consenting' to a revision of the wharfage rates being made during the period of his lease.] (4) The committee recommended that the business of the Council while sitting as the Harbor Board be kept separate and distinct from that of the Council under the Municipal Corporations Act, and the present Town Clerk be requested to act as Clerk to the Board at a salary of £10 per annum. HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID. The Mayor read the copy of a letter to Mr Montgomery drafted by Mr Williams, embodying the recommendations agreed to by the joint committee appointed by the County and Borough Councils. The report has already appeared in our columns. His Worship also read a portion of a letter fiom Mr Montgomery to himself, expressing general approval of the recommendations of the committee, but stating that the Bill was hung up for the present. The report was approved of. FINANCE. The Mayor reported the receipts since last meeting to have been as follows :— Carrier's license, £1 ; pound fees, £3 11s 9d ; general rate, 1881-2, £30 3s Gd ; publican's licenses£lso. Total, £184 15s 3d. The credit balance at the Bank was £205 8s 4d. The following accounts were passsd for payment:—Ponndkeeper's salary, £3 15s ; Returning officers do, one year, £5; O'Sullivan, labor, £2 2s. The balance of the account for Halm's contract was ordered to be paid, subject to the receipt of a final cirtificate from Mr Bar wick. An account in favor of H. Burke for labor on the whaif, amounting to £3 was ordered to be paid out of tho wharf account. LIGHTING. Cr Bruce proposed that the lamp-post near Kissel's be removed and placed on the beach opposite Shark Alley. On the suggestion of the Mayor, tho mover included in his motion, that the Works Committee be requested to get the work done. The motion was then agreed to, and the Council adjourned.