COUNTY COUNCILS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1388, 27 July 1878, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

SELWSTN. Friday, July 25. Tho ordinary meeting of the Selwn County Council was held at 10.30 yesterday. Present —Hon. John Hall (chairman), Messrs Enys, Lee, and Dr. Turnbull. THE CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT.

The Chairman said: —Central Cemetery, near Christchurch. —The steps which you took in March last for referring this question to a committee representing the various local governing bodies in the neighborhood of Christchurch, as well as the several religious denominations, have led to care F ul inquiries being made as to the best sites which could bo obtained. The result is set forth in a report from a sub committee, and resolutions thereon by the general committee, which will be laid before you. It will now be for the Council to decide whether it will authorise the purchase of the land which is recommended, and the cost of which is within the sum at your disposal for the purposes of a general cemetery. Should you decide upon doing so, it appears desirable that the laud so purchased should, without delay, be placed under the management of trustees, to be appointed by the Governor under the authority of the Cemeteries Act of last session. While, for several reasons, it seems necessary that the trustees should be a numerous body, the difficulty which this circumstance might present to the satisfactory disposal of the business of the Trust may be met by the ordinary supervision of the cemetery being delegated to a committee of management to be selected by the trustees. It devolves, I think, upon this Council as the purchasers of the cemetery, to suggest to the Government the names of persons to be appointed as trustees. As the actual selection of these names is a task of importance, you may think it right to appoint a committee to report upon the subject. Malvern Water Race.—l represented to the Government, as directed by you, the desirability of this work being placed, without delay, under local control, but I have not received any answer to my communication. The plans and papers relating to the works already executed have, to a certain extent, been placed at the disposal of your engineer. Domains and Cemeteries. —Several applications for the appointment of trustee for cemeteries and recreation grounds, and also for the appropriations to these purposes of reserves originally made for other objects have been received from Road Boards, and I propose to forward them to the Government through the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Rakaia Conservators District. —A letter has been received from the Board of this district, giving the boundaries of the land which it is proposed to add thereto, and requesting the Council to recommend the same to the Government.

Alteration of County Seal, —The solicitor has pointed out the necessity for an alteration in the county seal. I have therefore had a now seal prepared, which will bo submitted for your adoption. Returning Officer. —The appointment by the Governor of Mr George L. Lee as Returning Officer appears to have lapsed when the whole of the Counties Act was brought into force in this county. To avoid possible delay in filling up a vacancy in this Council, it is desirable a Returning Officer should be appointed by it. Report of Committee on Reserves. —Printed copies of this report being now in the hands of members, I trust you will express an opinion upon the several recommendations contained therein. Chairman’s Absence in Wellington —As the session of the General Assembly will involve my absence from the county for a considerable time, it will be necessary to make some provision for the discharge of the duties ordinarily devolving on the chairman. It is not competent for the Council to formally appoint a deputy chairman, but it will be convenient, if an understanding can be arrived at, that some one member, who will undertake to superintend the ordinary business of the Council, should as a rule be elected to fill the chair at its meetings. Accounts for Payment—Your authority is requested for payment of several accounts. CENTRAL CEMETERY. The report of the committee appointed to consider the best site for a central cemetery was read, which has already been published. After considering the report and the resolutions passed by the committee, Mr 7'ancred mov ed —“ That this Council agrees to purchase for the purpose of a central cemetery the 134 acres offered to it by

Mr E. Mitchell at £6 per acre, as recommended by the committee.” Mr Leo seconded the resolution, which was agreed to It was also resolved that a committee be appointed to recommend to the Government the names of persons to ho appointed us trustees of the cemetery. Such committee to consist of Messrs Tancred, Leo, and Dr. Turnbull, APPLICATIONS FOR RESERVES. Applications were read from various Road Boards for reserves for recreation and other purposes. The applications were considered seriatim. The first of these was an application from Templeton for a reserve for recreation purposes, now occupied as a rifle range. Applications were also received from Templeton for a gravel pit reserve ; from Lincoln, for a gravel pit; West Malvern, for recreation; East Malvern, for cemetery; Courtenay, for planting, cemetery, gravel pit, and recreation. Several other applications for reserves were considered, and it was resolved to recommend the granting of the same, and the appointment of the trustees as recommended. NORTH BAKAIA BOABD OF CONSERVATORS. A letter was read from the Board, forwarding a plan of the land proposed to be included in the district of the North Rakaia Conservators. COUNTY SEAL. It was resolved to adopt the amended form of seal as recommended by the solicitor to the Council. RETURNING OFFICER. On the motion of Mr Enys, Mr George Leslie Lee was appointed as returning officer for the several ridings of the county, and the solicitor was instructed to prepare a form of appointment. COMMITTEE ON RESERVES. The report of the committee on reserves was brought up and read. It was resolved that the Council agree generally with the recommendations of the committee on reserves, and that the report be forwarded to Wellington for the guidance of the representatives of the Council at the Conference. That the committee bo requested to extend their inquiries with a view to perfecting the returns furnished by them. ABSENCE OF CHAIRMAN. It was decided that Mr Tancred should undertake the duty of acting as chairman during the absence of Hon. J. Hall. The Council then adjourned.