AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 533, 23 August 1881, Page 2

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Saturday, August 20.

A special meeting of this Council was held on the above date at their office, Duvauche'le's Bay. Present—Messrs Dalglish (in the chair) Barker, Williams, Coop, Fleming, Hay, trebbie nud Bradley. The object of the meeting was to consider the question of altering the boundaries and representation in the county; Mr Williams in bringing forward the motion, wged the injustice which 'was; likely to accrue to Berard if the present representation wns continued. Ho went through the statistics of the varkv.u Hidings, showing the great inequality which existed at present. As to the mean 3 of rectifying it, he would suggest that a now Riding be fonuod, to include part of the present Ls Bon's j3ay Hiding, and taking in Long Bay. He though uew Rid-

ing slinnld be cnlled Long Bjiy. 5 ' Part nf Lβ Bon's Bay on the o'hcr side could he thrown into Okain's. This wonld tend to equalize the area and rateable Jvalue of these Ridings. Mr Barker agreed that Berard was a large rilling, '.but was opposed to dis franchising any district. If Berard was too large, let them alter the boundaries. If Berard got another member there would be three members for one road district, and if they got, the Chairman it would give them nearly the whole Council, Ho would suggest that Wainui should be utilarged, to come over about to Robinson's Bay. Let them take a Binall slice of Pigeon Bay and add it to Okain's. It would give the iatter about 2000 acres of land, but only two ratepayers. The Chairman suggested that the Council should go into committee to consider the question. Messrs Barker and Coop objected on the ground that the discussion should not bo burked. The Chairman said that it was with no idea of suppressing any report of tho discussion, but that members might be free to discuss the matter in all its bearings without being fettered by the strict rules of debate. Mr Williams concurred in the Chairman's remarks, and the Council went into committee. Referring to Mr Barker's remarks, Mr Williams said there was no proposal to disfranchise any district. The objection as to three members from one Road district he characterized as twaddle; No member ought to come there as representative of a Road Board ; besides, it was probable that before very long the Road Boards would cease to exist The Chairman thought it would be well for Le Bon's to take in Waikerakikari, but not Long Bay, with which they bad no community of interest. He objected to the name being changed to suit the Berard portion of the electors. Ho thought the adjustment coeld be made between Wainui and Berard. Mr Gebbie thought tho matter had been sufficiently discussed. There was no doubt that Berard looked large, but Jh another three years they would have to make considerable changes. The advance of the railway would no doubt cause a considerable accession of population in the Little River district. He did not think Berard would increase mucji during the same period. He would —" That no alteration take place in the boundaries and representation of the ridtngs in the coujjty at present.' , ■ The proposition was seconded by Mr Bradley. Mr Williams thought the proposal very unfair, and he would propose an> amendment to carry out tho suggestion he had made. Mr Coop thought, if any change was to be made, it would be fairer to wipe out Port Levy with a population of 29. Mr Hay thought Mr Wiliiams's proposal a very fair one. It would be an injustice to enlarge Wainui, as it contained a considerable area of unoccupied land, and might be expected to inciease in population. He would second Mr Wiliiams's proposal, if he would allow Le Bon's to ietain its name. On a division there voted —for an alteration of boundaries—Messrs Williams, Hay, and Co,op. For Mr Gebbie's resolution—Messrs Gebbie, Bradley, Fleming, Barker and the Ch-tinnan. This concluded the business of the special meeting, and the

Thh ordinary meeting of the Council was then proceeded with ; the same members being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman's statement. The Chairman read the usual statement of the business to come before the Council. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read— From the Hospital imd Charitable Aid Board, stating that " the usual official enquiry" would be made into the caso of Richard Clark, Le Bone Bay, an applicant for Charitable Aid. From the Collector of Customs, Lyttelton, advising the payment of £185 to the credit of the Council for license fees, and stating that enquiry would be made as to whether the EUesmere Arms were in the Lyttelton or Akaroa County.

From Mr A. C. Knight, Tekau, asking the Council to take some steps to have the portion of the Mount Bossu road through Rhodes' Flat completed On the motion of Mr Hay #ie letter was referred to the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board. The Chairman read a document headed ■'Memo for the County Council." It was decided not to take any notico of the communication as it was not addressed to any body or person. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. Mr Hay moved the resolution standing in his name for allocating- a sum of £000 among the various Road Boards. At the request of the Chairman, the Treasurer read a statement of the funds in hand and liabilities.

Mv Gebbie thought the Council should be very careful about parting with all the funds at their disposal. It' any special damage happened, such aa the carrying away of a bridge, the Council would bo hound to eil'eci the repairs. ..necessary to keep traffic open. Mr Hay thought the simplest plat) was to allocate the funds at once. Messrs Barker and Coop supported the same view. Mr William 3. thought it would be unwise to ailocato bo much as to leave the county the risk, of being short .of funds. If Mr; Hay would agree to reduce the amount proposed to be allocated to £500, ho would support it. If not, he should vote against it. At the same time: he was not sure that his constituents would thank him for his action. If they parted with all their money they would have to rate nest year, whereas by retaining it in hand, they might avoid that necessity. Mr G«bbie agreed with the latter part. of Mr Williams' remarks. He deprecated their hastening the necessity for this. The time would cotno. soon enough. Ho was ! opposed to the'allocation altogether.

. Tlib Chaiiiuan ruled that no alteration could bo made in Mr Hay's resolution except by the unanimous consent of councillor-. : ' '

Mr Gebl'ie at first objected, but 'finally withdrew his objection, as the rest or! the Council were unanimous, lie would cer tainiy rather see £500 allocated than £G<o. ; Mr. Hay's motion, aa amended, .was then put and carried unanimously. 'With respect to the applications by the Little Juver and OkainV. ttoad Boards.:, it

was resolved Unit they be informed tint ft sum of £500 had allocated. In answer to Mr Williams, the Chairman, stated that m> reply had been received , from the Selwyti County Council respecting the keeping drnvn Lil;o E : lesme.ro. Mr Willi. mis thought tho unit tor should not be lost sight of. Mr Gebbie suggested that as the mattei was not pressing it could stand over till a reply could be received from the Selwyn Cou&oil. Mr Williams agreed, and tho matter dropped. Two small accounts were passod for payment. The Chairman and Treasurer were authorised to carry out the allocation of funds as voted by Council, and the Council adjourned till Saturday, September 24.