AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2231, 31 May 1881, Page 4

AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above Council was hold at the Council Chambers, Duvauchello’a Bay, on Saturday, 29th instant. Present— Messrs J. Dalglish (in the chair), J. B. Barker, W. Coop, G. 8. Fleming, J. Gebbie, O. McDonald, F. W. Williams, and Bev. E. B. Bradley. The Chairman stated that the special meeting had been called for the purpose of considering the yearly balance-sheet of the County. The Treasurer haring read a statement of the receipts and expenditure, which showed a credit balance of £llO2, on the motion of Mr Williams, it was resolved —“ That the yearly balance-sheet as read be adopted by the Council.” This concluded the business of the special meeting. An ordinary meeting was held immediately afterwards, when the following correspondence was road :—From the Manawatu County Council, stating that the date of the meeting of delegates from local bodies to be hold in Wellington had been postponed till the first Wednesday in June. From Mr Montgomery, M.H.B. for the district, acknowledging receipt of letter re the Little Eiver railway. From the Wallace County Council, forwarding petition to be presented to the House of Eepresontativos next session rq the restoration of the 20 per cent, of the land fund to County Councils. Proposed by Mr Barber, seconded by Mr Bradley and carried —" That the Council support the petition received from the Wallace County Council, urging the Government to restore the 20 per cent, of the land fund hitherto granted to the Councils.” Circular from the Baugitikei County Council, forwarding several resolutions in reference to the existing condition of affairs in connection with local bodies, and asking the Council's co-operation with other local bodies to make a combined effort to obtain reform. The Council having agreed to support almost a similar circular received from the Manawatu County Council, no action was tak m in the matter. Beport was read from the committee appointed at last meeting to consider the provisions of the new Fencing Bill. The chief amendment they recommended was that a post and throe-rail fence, at least 3ft Gin in height, be added to the schedule of sufficient fence. On the motion of Mr Bradley, the report was received, and it was resolved that a copy be forwarded to Mr Montgomery, M.H.8., for the district. From Messrs Harper and Co., the Council’s solicitors, stating that as the requirements of section 4, sub-section 6, of the Public Works Aot, 1880, had not been complied with by the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board, the notice of intention to stop tho old Duvauohelle’s Bay road having only been advertised for eleven instead of twelve consecutive weeks, the rood has not been stopped as by law required, and consequently the chairman of the Council should not give his certificate for the land to be sold. The chairman stated that the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board had applied for his certificate certifying that the old Duvauchelle’s Bay road had been closed, as by law required, and not wishing to take tho responsibility upon himself he had referred the matter to tho solicitors. After discussion, on the motion of Mr Bradley it was resolved—“ That a copy of tho letter received from the solicitors be forwarded to the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board.” From the Crown Lands Department, Wellington, stating that that part of the road reserve at Duvauohello’s Bay could not be altered to a pound reserve for a site for a pnblio pound, us asked for ; but if this Council erected a pound on the reserve until such time as it was required for road purposes, tho Government would make no objection to its being erected. Tho clerk stated that, knowing the contractor for Greeting the pound was only waiting for tho question of site to be decided, he had sent a copy of tho letter to tho Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board, which action was approved of by the Council. From the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board, applying for tho sum of £3O, being a progress payment tho contractor for the pound had applied for. On the motion of Mr Gebbie, it was resolved to pay the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board tho amount asked for. From the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board, asking the Council to repair the bridges in Duvauchefie’s Bay, as they were in a very bad state, being liable to be carried away by the first flood ia the creeks, as the Board has no funds at its disposal to undertake tho work. Mr Williams said thot if a few pounds were apent on tho bridges now it would oare the bridges being carried away, which would bo a serious affair, as they were on tho main road. Mr Barker objected to any money being granted to the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board unless they served all the Boards in the county alike, as not very long since they bad refused almost similar applications from the Pigeon Bay and Chain's Boy Boad Boards, and ha did not see why the Akaroa and Wainui Boad Board should have the preference. Mr Gebbie did not like tho wording qf tho letter, as it Baked tho Council to put

tho bridges in repair. It was a Road Board work, but if a email aum spent now would save tho bridges being washed away, ho would more —" That the sum of £4O be voted to the Abaroa and Wainui Road Board to repair the bridges, on the understanding that if at any time any allocation of money is made by this Council to the Road Boards in the county, then this amount bo charged ogainst tho Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.” Mr Williams stated that as the Road Board was entirely without funds, being, in fact, in debt, they had been compelled to apply to the Council to repair the bridges, and being a member of tho Akaroa and Wainui Road Board, he felt a very great delicacy in asking for this amount. Mr Coop quite agreed with what Mr Barker had said, that it they voted an amount to one Board, they would have to do it to all, and that they were not in a position to do. After soma further discussion, Mr Bradley seconded Mr Gobble’s motion, which, on being put to the meeting, was lost by the chairman’s casting vote. An application was road from tho Little River school committee, opplying for a grant of forest trees to plant the school grounds. It was resolved to write to the Akaroa Domain Board and enquire what number of trees thoro would be available for distribution this season. From tho secretary of the Banks’ Peninsula Farmers’ Club, asking for a cqpy of any correspondence that has passed between the Q-overnmont and the Council relative to local industries. Resolved —“ That a copy be forwarded.” Mr Barker gave notice that at the next meeting of this Council he would move —“ That the Council take over tho who!e_ of tho mnin roads in the county." After passing a few small accounts to the amount of £2l 13s 6d, tho Council adjourned to tho 2nd of August.