HOKITIKA.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 474, 28 January 1869, Page 2

HOKITIKA.

(fbom otjr special correspondent.) Tuesday. Last evening the proceedings of the Council were enlivened, by an animated debate upon that portion of the report of the Departmental Commission, which remained to be disposed, of. The discussion took place chiefly upon the recommendations of the Commission, relating to the survey and engineer departments. The Commission, as you are aware, recommended a partial amalgamation of the two departments under one . general department, to be called "The Land and Works Department," with two distinct branches — survey and engineering, each, under their respective chiefs. The object of this proposed amalgamation was explained to be that the subordinate officers in each branch might in cases of urgency be made available for either office, as the evidence gathered by the Commission shows that all the surveyors know something of engineering, and the engineers are also survey ors. It appears that the proposal of the Commission is a perfectly feasible one, and one that would tend materially to economise the service. From what fell last night, however, from some of the Council, the opinipnis held by some of them that the proposed amalgamation would result in a conflict of authority, owing to the professional jealousies of each branch. There was also a considerable difference of opinion on the question of mining surveys. The Commission recommended the retention of two of the existing mining surveyors, in order to ensure greater accuracy in the surveys, and to enable the mining surveys to be connected on the map with, the general surveys of the County. Ultimately the debate came to an end through a motion proposed by Mr Barff, to the effect that the report of the Committee be no further discussed, but that it remain simply as a report for the guidance of members when the estimates i came to be considered. Probably this was the best course, but it ought to have been adopted from the first. It will be remembered that Mr Harrison objected to the report being discussed ; but the Chairman ruled +<hat it was competent for the Council to alter and amend the re-i port, upon which the discussion ensued up to the point at which it was stopped last night. Mr Harrison brought forward his motion with regard to the appointment of a Sjlect Commit! cc to draw up a plen fur placing the whole of the tramways in Westland under a uniform system of protection and control. The mover impressed upon the Council the necessity of establishing a. general system by which, the proprietors of tramways should all be put. upon an equal footing, and that instead of the temporary protection now ] afforded to undertakings of this kind some certain tenure should be given to them under such conditions and restrictions as were necessary for public security and the protection of public interests. The motion was heartily seconded by Mr Carreras, who said that he considered tramways in a 'country like this to be the very best kind of road that could be constructed, and every encouragement should be given to private or public enterprise in those matters.- The motion was carried without dissent. • The next motion was also one by Mr Harrison, to the effect that all the contracts entered into by the late Chairman since the 10th December be validated by a resolution of the Council. He said that such a resolution was rendered necessary, because not only had Mr Bonar ceased. to be Chairman of the "Council on the 10th December, but even if he had not done so the Act required that every contract mustbe made by the Council. He quoted that portion of the Act which referred to contracts and showed that without the validation asked for the contracts which Mr Bonar had made would be null and void. Three contracts had been entered into, viz., the supply of provisions, &c, to the Hospital and. Gaol, and the printing for the ensuing year. Although he thought Mr Bonar had acted somewhat indiscreetly, still he had no doubt done what he thought best in the interes's of the piblic. The list of tenders now on the table showed that the contracts had been given to the lowest tenderers. Mr Lahman seconded the resolution. Mr Rees opposed it, and in his usual ad captandum style, criticised the action taken by the Chairman, and said it was a slight to the Council that Mr Bonar should have entered into important contracts so closely before the meeting of the Council. Mr Sale suggested that Mr Harrison's motion did not go far enough, and that it should include all acts done by the late Chairman. Mr Harrison declined to accept the suggestion as it was his.intention to take exception to some of them, especially with regard to the Grey River Coal Company. Mr Bonar, who was evidently much piqued by the remarks made by Mr Rees, explained the circumstances under which he had made the contracts, in doing which he had felt that he was only doing his duty. The motion was carried, Mr Rees being the only dissentient. The desirability of holding criminal sittings of the District Court at Greymouth, and the conversion of the Lock-up into a gaol . were subjects brought up by Mr Lahman lin a resolution which he proposed. That, gentleman, in very forcible terms, pointed out that the growing importance of Greymouth demanded the privileges he asked i for. He said it was the first duty of a Government to provide the readiest means of justice to its subjects, but Greymoutfc did not enjoy those advantages to the extent it ought to do. He pointed out that the ends of justice were often defeated owing to the unwillingness of witnesses to come fonvai'd, because of the expense "and

loss of time occasioned by having to go to Hokitika to give evidence. Mr Harrison seconded the resolution, which was supported by Messrs Sale and Barff, but • opposed by others. Ultimately the motion was amended, so as to refer the matter to a committee for full enquiry. MrLahman's resolution regarding the division of the Customs duties collected at Greymouth with Nelson gave rise to a brisk discussion. Mr. Lahman made an excellent speech on the subject, and clearly showed how exceedingly unfair it waa. It became all the more necessary now that the population in the Grey district was increasing so rapidly. Mr Harrison seconded the resolution, but said that net did notthink any memorial to the Assembly for a readjustment would have much good. The most effectual way: was! to extend the boundary of the County lip to the Razorback. He reminded tit© Council that although Weatland felt itself wronged by the present division of the duties at Greymouth, Nelson .held quit* as strong an opinion vice versa. Mr Bonar,, whilst supporting the resolution, was of Mr Harrison's opinion. Even now a commission of enquiry either had been, or was to be, appointed,' at the request of the Superintendent of Nelson, to investigate the matter, with the view to a~ readjustment. The motion was generally supported, and passed item. con. — In answer to a question from Mr Bonar/ the Chairman stated that he had made arrangements for establishing ah escort from the Greenstone: the plan would be that a constable would accompany the bank agents down the river, and as far as the Waimea track, where they would be met by the ordinary escort from the Waimea district. — Several papers were laid upon the table, amongst others a copy of the deed of license agreed to by Mr Bonar with the Grey River Coal Company. Wednesday. Last night Mr Harrison, the Chairman of the Public Work,s Committee, brought up the Report of that Committee upon the road from the Greenstone. It recommended the immediate construction of a dray road from the Teremakau Junction along the south bank of the Greenstone Creek to the township!. He explained, that after hearing a great many witnesses on the subject, the Committee were unanimously of opinion that the line proposed was the best for a dray road. A. less expensive road could ba made along the bed of the river, but it would be constantly liable to. inter 7 . r upturns. The cost of the road •as pro^' posed would be about i>2000,, The report also recommended that in the event ..of the Council deciding to make a foct op horse track from the' Junction to tha ! beach, it should run from the end of the present Chesterfield road up the flat terrace to the Kapitea, coming out at the Teremakau opposite to the Greenstone Junction. In considering this Report in Committee of the whole Council, the recommendations relating to the Greenstone road were at once agreed to ; but upon the, second recommendation ensued a long and acrimonious debate of nearly two hours* duration.. It would be useless and profitless for me to describe it in detail, but I i may just say that in the first place Mr i Bonar wants the dray road to be continued to Chesterfield from the Greenstone ; Barff and Clarke want it to go. round by the Waimea and Stafford Town, whilst . Harrison, (Lahman, and Carreras (and, io a certain extent, Mr Sale) consider thatthe wants of the Greenstone people -will be sufficiently provided for, for the present, by the road to the Junction. Every body kept getting up to speak, except Mr Lahman, who only spoke once and to tha purpose. He said that the majority of the Council seemed always to forget that there was such a place as Greymouth, and that the people of that place were about to do all that was needed for supplyingthe Greenstone without calling upon the Government for a shilling. Mr Hoos, aa Chairman, made a fool of himself, first by an exhibition of vexation at having been put on the Public Works Committee, and secondly by one or two absurd rulings^ The squabble ended by the whole question of further inland communication through, the Waimea and adjacent districts being referrel to the Public Works Committee. Mr Harrison's motion respecting the protective works at the Grey being made, a County work was postponed until this evening. There was no other business of special importance transacted, and the Council rose at about 10.30 p.m. To night, Mr Carreras is to move that a line of road be laid off to connect Greymouth with the Eight-mile Terrace, New River, and that the Public Works Committee report on the best line of road as soon as possible. He also last night gave notice of his intention to move for a road from the Greenstone via Lake Brunner to» Maori Gully, so as to connect with the Arnold track. Mr Carreras is a most useful member, and one of whom his constituents ought to be proud. He is most, indefatigable, and applies himself to his. political duties con amore. He is on several committees, and I am told is most praiseworthy in his assiduity and atteh- : tion. Mr Barff has a motion on the paper for Friday — " That it is desirable to raise, the sum of L 50,000 on a loan ; such sum to be expended in the construction of roads, tracks, and reproductive works in the County." On Monday, Mr Rees is to move a resolution affirming the desirability of electing the Chairman of the County - Council by the electors of the whole County. This gentleman has also to move* to-morrow that in future all elections, under the County of Westland Act be, conducted on the principle of the ballot. It appears probable that this first sitting of the Council will be a protracted one.. The amount of work to get through before; the machinery is all put into working order is very great. The hon. members, have no easy time of it, as maybe imagined when I tell you that there are no less. .. than seven select committees on various. subjects sitting daily. Seeing that there are only nine members of the Council from whom to choose the Committee the work falls very heavily upon " many of them. The Public Works Committee especially has no easy time of it, sitting generally two or three hours daily. Other than Council matters I have but little news to send on other subjects. • There have been two or three small rushea up the Hokitika river lately, but from all I can gather are not of much importance.. At Ross a large meeting has been held on the subject of bringing in an enormous, water race from the Mikonui river, and from what was said at that meeting it ' appears to be probable that money for the work can be raised amongst private hands. As yet there are no signs of t\». Alhambra, nor yet of the Rangitoto.