AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1802, 29 November 1879, Page 4

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, NOYBHBHB 26. The Akaroa County Council met at the Hotel, Barry's Pass, on the above data, the members being—F. H. Williams (chairman), Fleming, Dalglish, Coop, Gebbie, B irker, McDonald, and Eev. B. Bradley.

The minutes of the last special meeting Were read and adopted. The first business of the meeting, the chairman explained, was the adoption or otherwise of the by-law for regulating the pounds in the county. The by-law had been duly advertised in accordance with the Act.

Mr J. Dalglish moved that the by-law as read be adopted and confirmed. The motion was seconded by Mr J, B. Barker, and carried.

The Chairman, in reply to a question by Mr Barker, as to the Council’s control over the pounds in the county, stated that the Council now took the place of the old Provincial Government, and that the power to erect pounds and appoint poundkeepers rested with the Council under the Act. The chairman thought it would be unfair to take over pounds that had been erected by the Eoad Boards, without recouping the Boards for their outlay. On the motion of Mr Gebbie, seconded by Mr Bradley—“ The Chain’s Bay Eoad Board were requested to recommend a poundkeeper for the Leßon’s Bay pound, the appointment to rest with the Council, and the Eoad Board to collect the pound fees.” The resolution was put and carried. The special meeting then adjourned, and took up the business of the ASM UAL MBETUfG. The annual meeting was then held, the same members being present. The .Chairman made the following statement :—The Act provides that the annual meeting of the Council shall be held on the fourth Wednesday in November, when it is necessary to elect a chairman for the ensuing year. Since our last meeting the half-yearly accounts have boon audited and published. The chief surveyor, Mr J. H. Baker, being in Akaroa a short time since, 1 wailed upon him in reference to the county map, when he promised to obtain applications from gentlemen willing to construct a map, and forward them to the Council; but he advised that as the surveys are so incomplete in this county, that the map should bo left in an unfinished state, ■and the additional surveys be plotted in when completed. Jic grading tho Summit road at the back of Okain’s Bay, he does not see his way to regrade it, as requested by _ the Council, but if the Council will grade it he will instruct the Government Surveyor to survey it. This being a very important road to several of the bays, I think it would be only right that something should be done, as the present grade is quite impracticable. The grant for the Little Biver recreation ground has been applied for, but that for tho Pigeon Bay recreation ground has again lapsed through not being applied for, and it will bo necessary for you to revote it as you think fit. Since last meeting the sum of £272 14s 6d has been paid in to the credit of the county fund, being 20 par cent, of the land fund for the March, June, and September quarters ; also, the eum of £561 lls 3d, being subsidies for tho half-year ending 31st Deo., 1879. The insurance on the Council Chambers haring expired on the 17th inst, I have taken out another month’s insurance at the same rata until the bai’ding is completed. Mr F. W, Thompson, registrar of dogs for Pigeon Bay district, has given notice that he intends to resign his appointment at the end of the month, as he is leaving the district. It will be necessary to-day to authorise the chairman to procure the necessary dog collars for tho ensuing year. The question of furniture for the Council Chambers will be brought forward for your consideration. The balance to the credit of the Akaroa County Council account is £503 16s, and the Akaroa county fund account is £2708 10s 9d, leaving a net balance of £2153 7s sd.

Three letters wore received from the Treasury, announcing that tho sum of £27214s 6d had been paid to the credit of the Council as 20 per cent, of land fund; also a letter advising that the sum of £564 lls 3d had also (been paid to the Council’s account as subsidy for the half-year ending 31st December, 1879. Mr Montgomery wrote acknowledging the receipt of the Council’s letter in reference to closing old and useless roads, and promised to give the subject his best attention. Mr S. Black, Akaroa, agent for the Now Zealand Insurance Company, wrote requesting the Council to insure their offices in that office.

Tho Council resolved that the risk still continue in tho Union Insurance Company’s office.

An offer was received from Mr G. Lewis, Lyttelton, offering to supply the Council with the necessary furniture for their new offices. On tho motion of Mr Gebbie, the matter was remitted to tho building committee. The Little Eiver Eecreation Trust wrote asking the Council to pay to their credit the amount of the vote for recreation purposes, Tiz., £57 2s lOd, On the motion of Mr J. Gebbie, the amount was ordered to be paid into the Bank on the receipt of the three trustees ; and Mr Gebbie further proposed—“ That the amount voted for tho Pigeon Bay recreation ground of £57 2s lOd, and the Port Levy cemetery grant of £lO be re-voted for two months.”

Mr George Armstrong, of Akaroa, acknowledged the receipt of the Council’s letter in reference to tho Akaroa road, and also stating the amount of land he had purchased and the amount of the rates he had paid to the Eoad Board. Ho had frequently applied to the Board to open up his land, but without success. He was quite sure the Eoad Board neither understood its duties nor attended to them, and concluded by asking the Council if they would guarantee to repay him the cost of the construction of 50 chains of the road in question. The money to be repaid within a reasonable time, it being understood that the Council should have general supervision of the work should they wish to do so. After some discussion, Mr William Coup proposed—“ That the Council does not feel called upon to interfere with the Akaroa and Wainui Eoad Board in this matter.”

The motion was seconded by the Eev. E. Bradley, put, and carried. Petitions were received from the ratepayers of tho Port Levy road district, and also from tho ratepayers of the Pigeon Bay district, asking tho Council to recommend the proposed change of boundaries between the two districts and forward them for the approval of the Governor in Connoil.

Mr Fleming explained the proposed now boundary would follow the top of the Eange, and that it would bo more convenient for both districts.

Eev. E. Bradley moved—“ That the petitions be received and forwarded to the proper quarter.” The resolution was seconded by Mr J. Gebbie and agreed to. On the motion of Mr Coup, the chairman was authorised to order a supply of 800 dog collars for the year 1880, tho color to bo of a light description. Mr Barker seconded the proposal, which was carried.

The Chairman suggested that that part of tho Summit road from the Chain's Bay road to the Little Akaloa Saddle should be regraded by the Council, as the Okain’s Bay Eoad Board were not in a position to do the work at present, and if delayed the adjoining lands might be surveyed, and a cost might be incurred for compensation. He would ask tho Council to take a larger view of these matters than purely personal ones. He was sure it would not trespass on the functions of the Okain’s Bay Eoad Board. Mr Coup did not think that any meddling in this matter would look well after refusing Mr Armstrong’s application, the two works being quite similar. His opinion was that the course was for the Eoad Board to apply to the Council for money to do any necessary work in tho matter.

Mr Gebbie was of opinion that suoh a work Was simply a matter for tho road district. The Chairman, in answer to Mr McDonald, stated that the line was wholly in the Okain’s road district.

Mr Barker proposed—“ That this Council ro-grado the Summit line from road running through section 22663, thence to low saddle, between Little Akaloa and Okain’s Bay, thence to Cotton’s line, where it joins the summit.”

This motion was seconded by Mr Dalglish, And carried. The motion was put, and after a division, Mr Gobble moved—“ That in the event of any future allocation of moneys to the different Bond Boards, that any sums now expended on this work by the Council bo deducted from the amount allocated to the Okain’s road district.”

The motion was aeconded by Mr Fleming, and, after being put, was declared carried.

On the motion of Mr Gebbie, leave of absence was granted to Mr J. Hay for two months, and Mr Dalglish was named to sign cheques daring his absence. The following accounts were passed for payment“ Akaroa Mail,” £lO 7a ; and fire insurance, £ll7s 6d. The contractor for the Council’s offices was in attendance, and requested the Council to pass the final payment for the work, stating his willingness for the Council to hold over a sum for any work not finished, Ber, B. Bradley moved —“ That the Chairman be authorised to pay the contractor the amount, and on the production of the engineer’s certificate.” The Chairman, Mr W. F. Williams, regretted that ho was obliged to resign the office of chairman of the Council, owing to medical advice. He was much indebted to the Council for their support and uniform courtesy during his six months of office. - Eev. B. Bradley asked Mr F. M. Williams if it wore possible for him to reconsider his decision. On being answered in the negative, ho suggested that some substantial honorarium should bo voted by the Council to Mr Williams for his services as chairman. At this stage Mr Williams left the room. The chair was taken in his absence by Bev. E, Bradley. Mr Coop proposed that Mr Williams, the chairman, be granted the sum of £SO for his services as chairman. The motion was seconded by Mr Barker, and carried. Mr Williams resumed the chair, and thanked the Council for their mark of recognition of his services. Mr Gebbie proposed Mr Jas. Dalglish as the chairman for the coming year. The motion was seconded by Eev. B. Bradley, and carried unanimously. Mr Jas. Dalglish took the chair and thanked the Council for his election. Mr Williams pointed out that it was sometimes inconvenient that the chairman should be treasurer, and suggested that the clerk be appointed to the office. On the motion of Eev. B. Bradley, Mr E. S. Latter was appointed. The Council then adjourned till Saturday, 3rd January.