CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 195, 5 April 1878, Page 6

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Clutha County Council was held in the Courthouse here, on Friday last. There were present — Messrs "M'Neil (Chairman), Mackenzie, Scobie, Dallas, Scott, ancl Roberts. Tlie 'Ciiaieman" explained that ths meeting had been called to take up a motion, of which notice had been given by Capt. ■ Mackenzie, to fhe effect that the boundaries of tho ridings be taken into consideration, with the view of a more equitable adjustment of the same. He (the Chairmen) pointed out that the Council laboured under a disadvantage in considering alterations of boundaries, as they had not yet : got a county map. Captain Mackenzie said they had the ' valuation and population of the various Ridings, and that ho considered would be • sufficient data to go by. The Council then went into Committee to consider the boundaries. Captain Mackenzie said the Council should aim at doing justice to every part of the County as far as possible. A very good guide to the importance of any locality was its valuation and population. He said the valuations and numbers of ratepayers of the various Ridings of the - County 'were as follows : — Valuation. PopulationSouth Molyneux ... £7034 ... 176 Clinton 7203 ... 153 Richardson 9879 ... 178 "Waipahi 10.630 ... 173 Brugh 2307 ... 20 Pomahaka 13,G73 ... 58 Total ... £50,795 • ... 75S '" As to Brugh Riding, although only sparsely populated, there w r as much of it fine country, and it would shortly be as populous as any Riding. Tlie valuation of Waipahi was already almost double that of any other Riding, and both population and valuation would soon be doubled or trebled. Ec considered it was fairly entitled to another member, ancl therefore '■' moved — tc That, seeing that the valuation of the Waipahi Riding is more than ■ double that of South Molyneux, ancl that the population is now about equal, one • member be takon from South Motyneux and an additional member given to Waipahi." The Chax&man pointed out that the motion of which Captain Mackenzie had : given notice, was with a view to the moro equitable adjustment of the boundaries of Ridings. The special meeting had therefore been called for tliis purpose under ■ clause '36 of the Counties Act. The mo- " tion now moved was for an alteration of the representation of a Riding whicli could only be effected under clause 60 of the Act. The motion was therefore out of • order. Captain Mackenzie then said he would put it in a different way, and moved — ' <c That that portion of the Waipahi Riding east of Waipahi, and a part of the Pomahaka Riding, bounded on the west by the Wairuna stream, be constituted a new Riding, to be called tho Wairuna Riding, ahd that a member be taken from South Molyneux Riding to represent the Wairuna Riding " The CiiAiitsiAN said the motion amounted to exactly the same thing — an alteration of the representation, ancl could not be put. If Captain Mackenzie had intended to alter the representation he should have ■ given notice to that effect. Capt. -Mackenzie then moved — "That a portion of the Waipahi Riding east of Waipahi, and bounded by the Pomahaka and Clinton Ridings, be constituted a new Riding, and that a member be assigned to it under the name of "Wairuna Riding, at the next general election, and that then South Molyneux shall have only one member." Mr Scott seconded the motion. Mr Dallas pointed out that if the motion were carried, the Council would re- • quire to. fix and advertise for four weeks a • special meeting to confirm the resolution. Unless it were then confirmed this would .just be so much money wasted. The* Chairman did not consider the . was strictly in order, but he did ~3»oib wish to obstruct what -seemed to be

Mic wish of thetlpiracil if he could help it. -He would therefore receive tho motion. Upon this intimation being made, Mr Dallas retired, andthe motion was carrbd. The Council then resumed. The resolution of Committee was rer ported and adopted, and a special meeting fixed for 26th April, atll a.m., to confirm the same.