THE IMPOUNDED LAND FUND.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1374, 11 July 1878, Page 3

THE IMPOUNDED LAND FUND.

An adjourned meeting of the sub-committee appointed by the Road Board Conference to consider what steps should be taken to procure the payment of the moneys|due from the Government to the Road Boards was held at Mr J. L. Wilson’s office to-day. Present — Messrs J. L. Wilson (chairman), Higgins, Peryman, Bailey, Grigg, Bcswick, and Hon. John Hall. Mr Joynt was in attendance. The Chairman laid before the meeting a copy of the circular issued by him to the Road Boards and County Councils, asking for their co-operation in the steps to be taken by the sub-committee in obtaining the money from the Government. The circulars, he might say, had only gone out on Tuesday last. Mr Bailey said that ho understood that the Mount Somers Road Board had determined to take action in the Supreme Court at once, on their own responsibility. Perhaps, however, now that the committee were going on with the work, the Board would now join in with the committee and co-operate. Hon. John Hall said that some impatience had been expressed outside as to the slowness of their progress in this matter, but the fact was that they had a great deal of work to do. As Mr Joynt was here now, it would be as well that he gave them his opinion on the matter submitted to him. It seemed to him that the Government evaded giving details in any respect. All their correspondence with the Road Boards seemed to be on the principple of “ Shut your eyes and open your mouth and see what God will send you,” and the Government thought that they ought to be very thankful for small mercies. He thought that, seeing that the amount which the Government intended to pay to the Boards had been brought down to some thousands and a sixpence, that the accounts were ready. This however did not appear to be thejease, as they had not received anything further than the telegram which said that the accounts would be ready shortly showing the deductions made. Mr Joynt then read his opinion on the case submitted to him. Mr Grigg moved—“ That the committee, having heard the opininion given by Mr Joynt on the subject of the recovery of the balance of land fund due to 31st December last, is of opinion that the necessary legal proceedings should be taken with the least possible delay, and the committee, therefore, requests Mr Joynt to take necesssry steps accordingly.” Mr Peryman seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. Mr Bailey moved—“ That this committee learns with surprise by the telegram from the Colonial Treasurer of the sth July, that the accounts of the balance of the land fund to 31st December, 1877, are now being prepared, as from the sum payable to Counties or Road Boards in Canterbury having been previously stated by the Treasurer to amount to £47,668 Os 6d, the committee believes those accounts must already have been prepared. That the chairman be requested to again communicate with the Colonial Treasurer, stating that a copy of the account by which the above balance was arrived at will afford the committee the information it requires, and trusts therefore that the Government will be good enough to forward it without delay.” Mr Peryman seconded the motion. On the motion of Mr Grigg, seconded by Mr Peryman—Messrs John Grigg and Higgins were added to the committee. Mr Beswick said that his Board —the Levels —would co-oporate with the sub-com-mittee in pushing the matter to a legal decision. Mr Higgins expressed similar opinions with regard to the co-operation of his Board—the Oust. A letter was also read from Mr A. D. Smith, the chairman of the Mount Cook Board, expressing the intention of the Board to co-oporate. The committee then adjourned, it being understood that proceedings for the obtaining of a mandamus against the Colonial Treasurer would be at once taken.