AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 636, 18 August 1882, Page 2

AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held on Wednesday evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Cullen, McGregor, Scott, Bruce, Penlington and Black. MINUTES. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward correspondence was road— From Mr J. Hewitt, asking permission to take shingle from tho beach for the footpaths in Jollie street. The Mayor said he thought it was a matter for the Harbor Master. Crs McGregor and Penlington said it was a matter for tho borough. It bad been decided long ago that tho Council had absolute authority in this matter. Cr McGregor then moved and Cr Cullen seconded, "'That tbe request contained in Mr Hewitt's letter be granted." This was carried. From Messrs Noonan and Ritchneld, asking for a progress payment of £20 for timber. From Mr W. H. Henning, as follows :— " Akaroa, 15th August 1882. ,; Sir, —I have to report that yesterday, as it was raining heavily when* the outwards cargo came to bund for the s.s. Hawea, calling early this morning, I stored the goods in the jetty shed for the night, in preference to having them stacked on tho jetty and covered with a taipiulin. The rain was so heavy and continuous all day that h d the latter plan been followed tha goods must huve got wet; and, in addition to this objection, a couple of men would have been required to spread the tarpaulin. I trust that, under tbe circumstances, the Council will remit storage on these goods. Whilst on the subject, I would express the hope that should the Council at any time reconsider the wharf regulations and charges, the question will be entertained of allowing free storage fo»----imports and exports for a given time, say 24 hours. The present rule of not allowing any free storage is most inconvenient, whether as regards sailing vessels or steamers. Im y mention tint the roof of the store and also of the office leak badly, ■and that t'ne chimney of the latter smokes to such an extent that sometimes in tho bitterest weather it is impossible to keep any tiro. Both being productive of much discomfort, I trust the Council will be good enough to take early steps towards remedying them.—Yours, etc., " W. 11. Henning, '• Wharfinger." The matter was left for further consideration iv connection with the Wharf Committee's report. ■ From Mr.Harri-, asking subscription for the Mansion House relief fund, in aid of the Jews exi'ed from iiussia. From Government re ii.ies, and from same enclosing statement of receipts and expenditure of Charitable Institutions. il spooling Mr He ning's letter, a discussion ensued, and Cr Penlington moved, '• That tho storage, in the case mentioned in the letter, be remitted as requested." Cr Scott seconded. Cr McGregor asked if the Council had the power lo remit it. He wished his question recorded. His Worship ruled tho Council had power to remit the storage. After further discussion the resolution was agreed to. The question of the repairs, asked for ny Mi Helming, were referred to the Whaives Committee with power to act. .'IN'ANCE REPORT. itoceipts since last meeting—Fines, K.M. Court (May and June) £1 10s ; General rate £16 18s 01. Total—£lß 8s Gd. Credit Bank balance £326 12s Id. Accounts to he presented —C. Armstrong, day iabor, £1 6d ;G. Scott, cartage, £1 10s; P. McGuire, day labor, 16s 7d,; wharfinger, wharfage, 6s lid ; Aitaboa Mail, advertising, £2 4s 3d ; do do, do Licensing Act, £1 2s 6d ; W. D. Wilkins £8 18. 6<l. Total—£l6 Is 3d. The accounts as read were passed for payment. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT, The following leport of the Works Committee was read :— " The ahovo Committee met on Tuesday, August 15. Present—All tbe members ; Cr Cullen in tho chair. Widening Bruce terrace —The Committee having considered Mr Wm. Harnett's oifer, on behalf of tbe trustees, of sec. 158, and contained in that gentleman's letter of the 7th inst., recommend the Council to accept the said offer, subject to the condition that the title be the Land Transfer title, and tbat tbe Council use tho power conferred on them by c The Public Works Act, 1876, Amendment Act, 1878,' see. 21. Progress payment to Messrs Noonan _. ltichfield—The Committee recommend that a progiess payment of £20 be granted to Messrs Noonan and liiohtteld on account of timber already supplied by them. Supply of 4in by 2in totara timber—The supply of 4in by 2in timber, used for piles and capping for footways, being nearly exhausted in the works now in progress, the Committee request to be empowered to order a further quantity of the timber specified, the quantity not to exceed 2500 ft. Jolie street formation—The Committee have to report that the contractor for the Jolie street formation is making satisfactory progress. Plans for wooden bridge in Jolie street— In accordance with the resolution of the Council, the Committee instructed the engineer (Mr W. D. Wilkins) to prepare plans and specifications of a wooden bridge to cro-.s the creek in Jolie street, near Goodwin's Forge, and have the honor to lay tho said plans before the Council for their consideration. The Committee report having employed day labor to construct I

temporary wooden crossings in Lavaud street, at the intersections of Balguerie street, Brittan street, and Viard street, and on the Beach road, at the intersection of Church street, for the convenience of foot passengers." Cr McGregor said a letter was referred' to in the report that tho Council had notheard . The Mayor said he was just about to read the letter, It was one which has already appeared in these columns, from the trustees, offering land ior widening Bruce's Terrace for J-20. On the motion of Cr McGregor the Ist section of the report was adopted, subject to the title being under the Lands Transfer Act. The remaining clauses were agreed to. It vtes then resolved that the plans and specifications of Goodwin's bridge should lay on the table till that day fortnight. 4 The report as a whole was then adopted. WH4KF OdMMrrTEE. Cr Penlington was elected a member of wharves committee. WHARFAGE BATEB. Cr Cullen moved the notice of motion 'standing in his name—" That this Council at its next meeting reconsider the existing scale of wharfage and storage dues with a view to certain alterations." He moved this resoluton because he did not like to soo the matter lying in abeyance, and be should like to see the wharf committee report as to any. possible improvement. It was a great hardship that the Wainui people and others who came to the wharf iby water should havo to pay, and tho rest not. Besides, some change was evidently required i i the maimer of receiving goods, some alteration of the rules regarding storago being absolutely required. The Mayor said tbey would all agree , with Cr Cullen, that certain alterations were needed. As to bis saying it was a hardship on the people of Wainui to pay ' tho wharfage rates, he_did not see that. He hardship was in the others not being forced to contribute also. Any alteration would not, he thought, relieve any body from paying, but make others pay also. In justice to tho Works Comuitteo. he must say tbat the mistake bad occurred in consequence of their anxiety to maka the impost as light as possible. He would support Cr Cullen, for he was most anxious - to see everything equalized. The resolution having been seconded by Cr Scott was carried. Cr Cullen then moved, "That tlie„ matter of readjusting tbe wharfage and storage dues be referred to the Wharf Committee for them to report upon at the next meeting of the Council." Cr McGregor would like to make a suggestion to Cr Cullen before the resolu - tion was put. Did he not think it would be the better course to leave tho matter over for the present, now they had laid down the general principle that there were*" alterations required ? They were on the eve of an election, and they did not know what new Crs might shortly be sitting at that table. There was a good deal offeeling on the subject, and no doubt a great deal would be said about it if there were a contested election, which would give the new Council an idea of the public wishes. There win no absolute haste, for no one was suffering. He woti : d not move a resolution of the subject, but simply put the matter forward as a suggestion. - Cr Black would stvond Cr Cullen's resolution. Tiiere was urgent neeet-sity for an alteration, and the sooner it wa» made the better. Bf.idfs, whatever resolved on would luve to bo advertised, so as to givo tho public full opportunity of objecting if they desired. Beside., how many members of the Council retired, and were there any members of tho Wharf Committee amongst them ? The Clerk said the retiring member* were Crs McGregor. Bruce, and Gntberlet The first meeting of the now Council would be on September 26th. - Cr McGiogor pointed out that the Committees wero re-electhd after the new Council assembled. Tho Mayor thought that they should not throw the responsibility on others, buf should try nnd got the matter estiefac* toriiy settled. It .«tood to reason that the present Wharf Committee, who had given the jueation much thought, were better able to make the necessary alterations than ix nevv Committee would be. Cr Cullen agreed. Cr McGregor's suggestion simply meant shelving tho matter, a course he was much opposed to. The resolution was then put and carried. LEAVE OF ABSENGE. Cr McGregor applied for leave of absence ti 1 tbe Becond meeting in September. Tho request was granted. The Council then adjourned. —■ a ________