KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6496, 22 December 1881, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of this Council vita held on Tuesday evening ; present—the Mayor (Mr 0. H. Blackwell), Councillor* Woodford, Parnham, Mathews, .Stanton, Smith, Pinching, Moore and Fraser. OOHRSarOKDEKCS. The following was read :—From Mr J. W. Ellen referring to the uniforms for the Fire Brigade. From the Bailway Engineer stating that he woe authorised to erect a crane at the Hallway Station. (Hear, hear.) From Messrs H. J. Bay, M. 0. Moran, B. B. Hicks, D. Honey and others, complaining of Lambert, a contractor, having removed soil from a nor* tion of Boys street with leave given to him by the Chairman of the Works Committee, and asking the Council what they considered necessary to do, or what works they contomplated carrying ovt, as there had been nothing said of those works in open Council. BtrayuToa’s bbxoet. The Clerk reported on the various works in the town, and staled that the third bay of the swing bridge vaa decidedly unsafe, and recommended that another tressel be constructed ; that Lanbert had mode an excavation in Boys' street contrary to his instructions, and be also riminded the Council that the kerosene and otier licenses were overdue onßeo 1. 8018 BTEBET. It was decided fo acknowledge the letter from Messrs Bay aid others, ami to state that the Council would hke steps in the matter. bubvebb’b bbfobt. The clauses in th» Surveyor's report were all considered teridim, and the work at the bridge reoommendei by him was referred to the Works Oommitre, with power to act, the cost of so doingto m> paid out of the bridge reserve fund. He ras instructed to take proceedings against Lmborfc for removing soil contrary to orders rom the river bank ; and with regard to the hall and kerosene licenses, he was directed to Write to those interested in the matter. twahoial. The Chairman i the Finance Committee reported the receive for the past fortnight to have been £9O Ik 3d. The present overdraft at the banl; was £76 10« 3d. At his suggestion, it w« decided to pay the contractor for reforn/ng the work on the Beaoh road tiie amount lue to him, the Works Committee stating tht the work wos well done and completed. Accounts exclusive of this, amounting to £7 16s Id, were passed for payment. «OBMO UAIX.

Th« Mayor sited that ho had noticed that tlioro was not adioieat means of egress from the Pablio HaUn case of die, and be recommended that More the next licenses are applied for ttae necessary provisions must be adhered to. i Councillor Btltb moved—“ That this bo an instruction to he 11»I1 Committee," which was seconded by Councillor Pinching, and carried. oitoAxios or hoa». Mr Alexandf made an application under the Act for lere to open up a street known aeSmethurst feet on rural section 297, as ho wished to bog the land under the Land Transfer Act. After some discussion it woe moved by buncillor Pinching leave be gift as required, provided the street is projWy formed, metalled, and dedicated to the puncil, the street to be a chain wide." I hi* 7OWH OLBUK. The TowiOlerk produced the agreement relative to ti terms of Ms engagement, likewise a letteorom Mr IS. Q. Kerr, who was Mayor at ti/time it was made, and in which It was showfthat his agreement conveyed the provision tit there was a commission of five per cent top paid him on all monies received and disburfl by him, but he slated that so far as the libunement was concerned, this was allow! to lapse by arrangement at a recent datwhen the salary was readjusted. A lengv conversation followed on the subject, ding which some humorous remarks wf indulged in at the expense of the of the Finance Committee, who, it tpoared, had passed this amount every oifter since the Beserve rents had been recied, and had not raised any objeoturn to Waring that lime. Ooundor Fraser admitted that ho had not notfd the charge, or he should have objeoiente it t hut ho would toko the opMortijty of moving in the matter by giving flee that the commission on th« rents be not fid in future. [ cowpuhbiitakt. Cou|tlor Piuohii g said he bad great 1

pleasure In moving a very hearty and (medial vote el thank* to Hie Worship the Mater, Mr Blockw»ll, on the eve of his retirement from the chair, for the very able and impartial manner in which he had conducted the duties of the office. He could only that if his successor acquitted himself bot.ii in the chair and outside the Council Chamber m well, ho would merit the heartiest' approbation. Councillor Pamhara said he had great pleasure in seconding the resolution, for be hod intended to propose it, being the senior member of the Council, Ho (the Mayor) was deserving of their heartiest thanks t and though retiring, he hoped it would hot be the last time that Mr Black well would be amongst them. Councillor Smith, the Mayor elect, concurred In all that, had fallen from the E serious speaker, and expre'sed the hope that e should bo able to leave the chair with the same amount of good feeling expressed by the Councillor*. At any rate, he should do bis boit to merit their respect. (Bear, hoar.) Councillor May also endorsed the remarks made, and Councillor Moore remarked that it was a very cheap way of remunerating the Mayor for hie efficient service*, but bo could not expect more, He took exception to the motion having boon proposed by any one but the senior member of the Council, and Councillor Farnbam should have done it. [Councillor Pinching: " Order."! All the other Councillors spoke in similar terms, expressing the hope that Mr Blackwell would stand for election as Councillor nice Councillor Smith.

The Mayor said he felt very proud of the motion, but especially at the way in which it had' been proposed, ae, when so many were anxious to propose it, it showed that they wore all eager to do him honour. He had, when be took office, expressed his determination to do his best for the public, and he was proud to say that the Council had always supported him, and bis authority had not been called into question. The credit, therefore, was not entirely due to him, but to them for their support. He considered that Eatapoi could compare favourably with any other Borough of the same size for the manner in whioh the work was done, and this could not be the cose without his having their heartv assistance. He admitted that sometimes he bod been compelled to rule somewhat contrary to hie own feeling*, and had conceded to the wishes of the Councillors, in whioh way they had managed to tide orer difficult times. He thought that he was now entitled to a little rest, as he hod occupied a seat at the Council table for over eleven years, and now that the qualification for the office was reduced, it would not be so difficult to get candidates. He bad a wish to be relieved, especially os he still held another public office whioh occupied a good deal of his time, and he felt he should he doing as much as he ought to do,'though be admitted the principle that every man should undertake a share of the public work. He again thanked them for their expressions of opinion with regard to him, and, referring to his successor, he hoped they would accord to him, Mr Smith, the same treatment that he had always received at their bands and he predicted that be would he a credit to the Council and the town. Be reminded them of the annual meeting at noon the following day, and asked them all to be present, in courtesy to the new Mayor. TIBI BBIOADH DIBPIAT. Councillor Fraser moved—" That thensnol grant of £6 be mode towards the display of fireworks on New Tear's Day." Ho slated that the Brigade were making much larger preparations Ibis year than previously. Councillor M»y seconded the vote, expressing the wi»h that they ooald make it £lO. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was also agreed that the Brigade should have the use of the Ferry reserve as usual. BLIJTD OBESE. Councillor Moore brought under the notice of the Works Committee the state of the mouth of Blind Cheek. The Council then adjourned.