COUNTY COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 793, 5 January 1877, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

SELWYN. The first meeting of the Selwyn County Council took place in the Provincial Council Chamber at noon. The following members were present : Hon John Hall (Coleridge riding), Messrs Bolleston (Avon riding), H. J. Tancred (Lincoln riding), J. S, Turnbull (Heathcote riding), H. J, Mathias (Courtenay riding), D. McMillan (Malvern riding), and A. J. Hawdon (Upper Waimakariri riding). MrO. H. Williams, who acted as clerk to the Council pro tern, read the proclamation signed by his Excellency the Governor convening the County Council of Selwyn to meet at the Provincial Council Chamber at noon on January sth. THE CHAIRMANSHIP. Mr Bolleston—Mr Williams and gentlemen, —It devolves upon some member of the Council, under clause 54 of the Counties Act, to propose a chairman of the Council to fill that office for the ensuing year. I have therefore very great pleasure in rising to propose the Hon John Hall as the first chairman of the County Council of Selwyn. I don’t think it is at all necessary for me to enter into a lengthened series of observations to commend Mr Hall to the members of the Council. That gentleman has occupied a similar position before with c edit to himself and to the public, and I think that he is one who possesses not only the full confidence of the members of this Council, but also of the public whom we have therefore very great pleasure, sir, in moving—“ That the Hon John Hall be elected as the chairman of the Selwyn County Council.” Mr Tancred seconded the motion.

Hon John Hall—Mr Williams and gentlemen—l appreciate, I can assure you, very highly the distinction conferred upon me by the nomination of myself by Mr Rolleaton as the first chairman of the County Council of Selwyn. But I desire to point out that I reside at some distance from Christchurch—some forty miles—and I think that this would make it very inconvenient for persons having to transact business with the county chairman, more especially as I am only in town occasionally. I venture to think that the chairman of so important a county as Selwyn, in which necessarily a great deal of public business will arise, requiring the personal attendance of the chairman, should be more accessible to the general public than I could be. I trust, therefore, while fully appreciating the honor done me in the selection, that the nomination will be allowed to be withdrawn, for the reasons I have’stated. If so, I shall be prepared to nominate a gentleman who I think will most efficiently discharge the duties of the office. Mr Rolleston—Under the circumstances stated by Hon Mr Hall, I will ask leave to withdraw the nomination. Hon John Hall—l now beg to propose Mr William Rolleston as chairman of the County Council of Selwyn. The length of time that Mr Rolleston has held prominent public positions amongst us, will, I think, satisfy every one as to the peculiar qualifications he possesses to fill the post. Having so intimate an acquaintance with the public works of the whole province, and more particularly those likely to come under the supervision of this Council, I think no better man could be selected for the position. I propose Mr Rolleston with more confidence, because not only has he showed himself during his long official career an able administrator of public affairs, but he has also secured in an eminent degree the confidence and respect of the public generally. Mr Mathias had much pleasure in seconding the nomination. Dr Turnbull—Mr Williams and gentlemen, I do not rise with the intention of opposing the nomination just made by the Hon John Hall, but I think I should be doing wrong to sit here listening to what I consider a wrong step being taken without making a slight protest against the election of Mr Rolleston as chairman of the County Council of Selwyn. Of course I at once disclaim any motives of a personal nature, or that I do not consider that, politically and otherwise, Mr Rolleston would be an efficient administrator of the affairs of the county. But, sir, I think we have had quite enough of the government of a single individual, considering the nature of the constitution we live under. If we perpetuate the system of the rule of a single individual such as obtained in the past in the conduct of our public affairs, we shall, I contend, deteriorate the vigor of our political life. I regret, therefore, that the Hon John Hall has thought it right to decline the office, and thus present the infusion of new life, which I for one consider would have been highly beneficial. I object also to Mr Rollcstou’s nomination, because he is now acting as General Government agent for Canterbury. He is now somewhat in the position of a p r efet, and therefore I think that if he takes the chairmanship of a body representative of the ratepayers, he ought to resign his post as agent of the General Government, I don’t wish for one moment to detract from what Mr Rolleston has done in the past, but I think ic is only right for me to express my opinion as I have done, that I think it is detrimental to the public interests for one person to hold the chief public position in the province for so long a time. I think Mr Rolleston has done so long enough, and therefore I say so. I shall not oppose the motion, but simply record my sentiments on the matter.

Mr H. J. Tancred—l am extremely sorry that the election of our chairman should not have been unanimous. I think Mr Rolleaton is by far the fittest man to initiate the new system, because of his experience and knowledge of public affairs. Dr Turnbull is in error when he refers to the lengthened period of the chairman of the County Council occupying that office. Under the Counties Act it is provided that the chairman should be elected every year, I don’t think, therefore, that we shall be stereotyping the former forms of Government. I confess that the argument Dr Turnbull used respecting Mr Rolleston now acting as agent of the General Government seems to mo to bear the other way. It will be very convenient that the initiatory measures should be carried on by the Government. Hon John Hall—l don’t think after what has been said by Mr Tancred that there is any necessity for me to say much in reply to the remarks of Dr Turnbull. Mr Tancred has anticipated much of what I intended to say, but I may add that the length of time Mr*Rolleston has held the chief office in the province, which has been spoken of by Dr Turnbull, has been so by the free will of the people. If Mr Rolleston is elected now it will be by the representatives of the rate-

payers. I don’t think, therefore, that the continuance in office of a gentleman of so much experience in public affairs as Mr Bolleston will be inexpedient, but rather the other way. The motion was then put and carried. Mr Rolleaton then took the chair. The Chairman—Gentlemen, I have to thank you for the honor you have done me in electing me as the chairman of the County Council of Selwyn. It was my desire that the Hon Mr Hall—who from his experience I considered a mod: suitable gentleman to fill the post—should have been elected, but as he has declined, under the circumstances he has related to you, to do so, I have no objection to do what I can, in conjunction with the other members of the Council, to carry on the work. I do so fully recognising that the office is held only from year to year, and I hope that the Hon Mr Hall, or some other gentleman, will be able to take office at the expiration of the first term. Gentlemen, I beg again to thank you for the honor you have done me in electing me as the first chairman, and will do all I can to conduct the business of the Council in a manner which shall alike reflect credit on us, and serve the best interests of the public. THE CLERKSHIP. The chairman said he had asked Mr Williams temporarily to take the office of clerk to the Council, and it would now be for the members to say what arrangements shouldjbe made regarding the office. Hon John Hall moved—“ That Mr C. H. Williams be requested to act temporarily as clerk to the Council.” It was not competent for them yet to make a permanent appointment, as it was not decided as to whether the whole Act should be brought into operation. Mr Hswdon seconded the motion, which was agreed to. CORRESPONDENCE. The chairman read a letter from the Bank of New Zealand, intimating that the sum of €8950 had been placed to the credit of the County of Selwyn Trust account, to be operated upon by their chairman. Letters were also read from Mr W. Bolleston, stating that the sum of £6950, balance of special vote of the Provincial Council for the Malvern water supply, and £2OOO for dipping sheep at the Waiau had been placed to the credit of the County Council. Hon J. Hall asked the chairman what were the special purposes for which the £8950 referred to in the letter of the Bank were placed at the credit of the council. The Chairman explained that the the two sums referred to in the latter two letters read made up the total. The objects for which they were so placed was explained therein. A letter was read from Mr E, J. S. Harman, announcing his candidature for one of the seats on the Lyttelton Harbor Board at the disposal of the County Council. The Chairman said he might perhaps explain that the amounts referred to in the letters read had been paid in to the account of the Council by the General Government, as they were for local purposes upon which the Council would perhaps desire to express an opinion, one was the balance of the vote unexpended for the Malvern water supply, and the other was in compliance with an Act of the Assembly for the dipping of sheep entering Canterbury from the North. OFFICES OF THE COUNCIL. The chairman said the next business was the deciding as to the public offices of the Council, and also for purposes of meeting. Under the 85th section of the Counties Act the Council had to provide offices, &c. Hon John Hall asked the chairman whether, as agent for the General Government, he could state on what terms they were occupying the building in which they were now met, and whether it was likely that an application for the temporary use of the Council Chamber for meetings, &c, was likely to be successful 7 The chairman said he had no authority to to answer what Mr Hall had inquired. He had been in communication with Ministers on the subject, and had expressed his opinion that the building they were now in should, temporarily at least, be placed at the disposal of the County Council for the purposes of meeting. If such a request were made, however, it was probable that the General Government would accede to it. Hon John Hall moved—“ That the chairman be requested to apply, on behalf of the Council, for the temporary use of the Provincial Council Chamber as a place of meeting, and rooms attached for offices.” He had put the word “ temporarily,” because he did not think it right that they should have the permanent use of the building. Mr Mathias seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

ORDER OP BUSINESS. The chairman said that there were several matters which required to bo settled as to the conduct of business. There was the bringing into force or not the whole of the Act, which would require to be considered early ; the framing of standing orders ; the appointment of a solicitor, and the selection of a bank. It would also be necessary as early as possible to decide upon the election of members for the Lyttelton Harbour Board, as the other elections were concluded. Mr Mathias asked if it was intended to advertise for nominations! The chairman said it would be necessary to appoint a committee to consider these matters, and report upon the mode of election it was best to adopt. It would be necessary also to fix their days of meeting, so that the public might know, HARBOUR BOARD ELECTION. Hon John Hall moved—“ That a committee be appointed to report as to the mode of electing two members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board. That the committee consist of the chairman, Mr Tancred, and the mover, to report at next meeting of the Council, and that at next meeting the Council do proceed to the election.” Mr Mathias desired to point out that no time would be afforded for nominations. Hon John Hall said if it were decided to call for nominations the latter clause of the resolution could be omitted. It was however most desirable, as all the other members of the Board had been elected, that no delay should take place. Mr Tancred seconded the motion, which was agreed to. STANDING ORDERS. Mr Tancred moved —“ That a committee be appointed to prepare draft standing orders for the conduct of the business of the Council, such committee to consist of the chairman, Hon J. Hall, and the merer, That

until other provisions be made the standing orders of the House of Representatives, so far as applicable, be the standing orders of the Council.” Hon J. Hall seconded the motion, which was carried. ADJOURNMENT. On the motion of the Hon John Hall, the Council adjourned to Wednesday next, at noon.