COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1282, 29 April 1878, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

AKAROA. The Akaroa County Council met at the Hill Top, Barry’s Pass, on Thursday, 25th inst., at 11 a.m. The members present being— Messrs E. 0. Latter (chairman), J. Dalglish, R. R. Bradley, J. Gobble, J. Hay, F. Priest, J, W. Barker, The chairman stated that the principal business of the meeting was the appointment of an engineer. Ho had received a corrected tariff of wharfages from the Chairman of the Okain’s Bay Road Board. Ho had written to the Chief Surveyor in reference to the Lo Bon's Bay road, but during Mr Baker’s absence the surveyor, who was at present working there, would be occupied on the opposite side of the Bay, so that the matter would not be prejudiced in any way in the meantime. It would be part of the work of their new engineer, when he was appointed, to do such work as that required in Loßon’s. The Colonial Secretary had been written to, stating that the Council quite endorsed the resolutions of the Mayor* and Chairmen of County Councils held at Christchurch in reference to hospitals and charitable aid. Ho had also written to the’Colonial Treasurer, requesting that all monies accruing to the Council since the adoption of the Counties Act under the Financial Arrangements Act bo placed to the credit of the Council, but as yet had received no reply. Ho had received a letter from the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board with reference to stopping the old road in Duvauchelle’s Bay, but he hud since received a letter from the chairman of that Board, requesting him to take no steps in the matter, as it was not the intention of the Board to take any further steps in the matter until the engineer who had prepared the plans was put in the list of certificated surveyors. The Pigeon Bay Road Board had also written to say that in the case of the stopping of Kay’s Gully road, the public meeting had been unanimous in the matter ; but it was necessary under the Public Works Act, clause 93, sub-section 8, that the Board themselves should express an opinion on the matter, and until this was done no steps could be taken in the matter. The Council had the power in all cases to veto the stoppage of roads. ELECTORAL ROLLS. The clerk laid on the table the doctoral rolls for each riding in the county, which had been prepared since the last meeting of the Council in terms of the Act, and the chairman stated that stops had been taken to have them on view at public places in each riding for inspection until the 15th May next. appointment or engineer. The following applications were received for the office of engineer to the Council, in reply to advertisement, viz,, 11. H. Fenton, at £SOO per annum without travelling charges, or £6OO, including travelling expenses ; from Mr J. R. Brown, at £4OO per annum, with an allowance of £SO for forage; from Messrs Bain and Warner, Christchurch, offering to do all survey work at £3 3s per day, and all engineering work at 5 per cent., commission; from Hardy and Johnson, at £6OO per annum, including all charges; from Mr Flocktcn, Christchurch, wishing to know the names and addresses of the members of the Council ; from Mr H, G. G. Graham, at £-400 per annum. Mr Hay enquired if the sums mentioned included the use of instruments, or were these to be found by the Council ? The Chairman thought it was unusual for officers of a corporation to find their instruments. At the same time, all applications were on the same footing, ns no reference was made to the question in any of the applications.

Mr Barker said he was sorry lie could not give his support to the local applicant, Mr Fenton, as local knowledge was in the case of an engineer a most important matter, but the difference of salary was so great that he must support a man requiring a lower salary, lie would therefore more—" That Mr Brown’s application as engineer to the Council at a salary of £450 per annum be accepted, subject to the chairman arranging with him on the matter of a supply of instruments.” The motion was seconded by Mr Bradley and carried unanimously. OKAIN’S BAY 'WHAEFAGB, Mr Barker stated that, at the last meeting of the Council, at which the subject of wharfages was under consideration, some omissions had been made, which he wished the Council now to supply, especially in reference to storage at the wharves; and to meet the matter he would now propose—“ That, in the case of the Little Akaloa, Okain’s, and Le Eon’s Bay wharves, free storage be allowed for imports for forty-eight hours, and for exports one week, and that, at the expiration of these periods, the wharfage rates be recharged for each week or part of a week that the store is used.” The motion was seconded by Mr Priest and carried. A letter was received from the Akaroa Borough Council, asking the County Council to subscribe towards the expenses incurred in Sir George Grey’s visit. The Chairman explained that they bad no funds, and consequently could not vote any sum. Mr Bradley moved—“ That in consequence of having no funds, the Council declines to subscribe as requested by the Akaroa Borough Council.” Seconded by Mr Hay, and carried. PIGEON BAT BOAD DITEBSION. Mr Hay stated that, in reference to the road diversion in Pigeon Bay, the inhabitants and the Board were quite at one as to its being closed as proposed, and he would undertake to see that the resolution of the Board was before the Council at its next meeting. CLAIMS FOE COMPENSATION. The Chairman, in referring to the letter previously published from the Government on the subject of compensation for roads, stated that the £SOO referred to in the letter did not refer to any past provincial liabilities, but were to he used for purposes coming under any works undertaken by the Council, but that there was one case of special hardship—viz., that of Mr St. John, who had been promised £3OO more than three years ago, and had gone to great expenses in fencing. He thought it was a case that the Council should take up. Mr Baker moved—" That the Chairman be authorised to confer with the chairman of the Akaroa and Wainui Eoad Board, and stated that the Council will pay the sura of £3OO as compensation for road passing through Mr St. John’s property if the Road Board will undertake all other charges in connection therewith.” The motion was seconded by Mr Dalglish and carried. It was agreed, after a long discussion, to ask the member, Mr Montgomery, to bring the whole question of compensation for road diversions under the notice of Parliament during its next session. On the motion of Mr Gehhio, the Council adjourned until 23rd May, at the same place, at 11 a.m. _________