COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 478, 6 February 1869, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Feb. S. (Condensed from the West Coast Times.) Mr Lahman brought up the report of the Committee upon the advisability of declaring the lock-up at Greymouth a Common Gaol. The report was read and received. Mr Harrison asked if the Grey River Coal Company (Limited) have paid the rent due in December last ; and whether any steps had been taken to collect the royally on the coal raised by the company? The Chairman said that no rent had been received, but that the County Treasurer had received a letter from the Secretary of the Company, stating that the demand for the amount due (£250) would be brought before the directors. Mr Carreras moved^-" That it is advisable that the country between the Lake Bnraner, Maori Gully, and the Greenstone be surveyed, and levels taken to ascertain the possibility of a water supply, for the use of the district, being obtained from the Hohonu rivers. Mr Harrison seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. Mr Barff moved—" That the Chairman be requested to forward small parcels of gold from the various mining districts in the County, to the Government Assay Office, in Auckland, to be assayed, and that the result be published in the County of Westland Gazette." Carried. Mr Barff moved — " That the County Engineer be instructed to lay out a line of road between Hokitika and the Greenstone, in accordance with the resolution passed by the Council at its last meeting." Mr Clarke seconded the motion, which ' was put and passed. Mr Sale moved — "That the expense of constructing the road from the Greenstone Junction to the Greenstone Township be a first charge upon the Surplus Revenues of the County." He said this resolution was one of first importance, and, under the circumstances in which the Road Boards were placed, it was necessary it should be passed. The motion was seconded by Mr Bonar, and passed without dissent. Thursday, Feb. 4. Mr Harrison presented a petition from John Lazar, and other members of the Kil winning Lodge of Freemasons, praying for 'a grant of land whereon to erect a , Masonic Hall. The petition was read and received, and referred to the Select Committee on Reserves. Mr Barff moved — "That a horse track be constructed from Okarito to the Forks of the Waiau, and that a similar track be made from that point to the Forks of the Waiau to the head of the Waitaki River, at a point about twelve miles from its mouth. Mr Carreras seconded the motion. Mr Harrison said he would gladly support the resolution if the hon. member who moved it would insert the words "it is desirable" after the word "That," at the commencement. Mr Barff having accepted the suggestion, it was put and passed without dissent. Mr Harrison moved — "That the late Inspector of Police at Greymouth, Mr James, who resigned on account of the refusal of the hon. John Hall to allow him to retain his rank at the time the reductions were made in the Police Force, be reinstated with the rank of Sub-in-spector, and that he be stationed in Greymbuth." He said that the circumstances were no doubt well-known. Mr James had been in the police force in Victoria and Canterbury for seventeen years, and had always conducted himself to the Batis- , faction of all persons under whom he had served during that time. When the separation from Canterbury took place,.certain reductions were made, arid this was one of the instances in which such reduction had been made. Mr James was content at the time to submit to a reduction of pay, but the hon. John Hall desired at the time to reduce this officer from the rank of Inspector to that of SergeantMajor ; in fact, from the grade of a commissioned to a non-commissioned officer, which Mr James would not submit to. And he (Mr Harrison) considered he (Mr James) was quite justified in the refusal, as the reduction in grade would be of serious injury to Mr James, if he desired at any time to remove to any other place. At the first sitting of the Council, he (Mr Harrison) had brought the matterforward ; but the hon. John Hall had objected at the time that it was not a matter the Council should interfere with. In consequence of that opinion, the matter dropped. Mr James, in relying upon the good faith of the Government, had incurred considerable expense in erecting a dwelling, and now came to the Council, not as a supplicant for relief, but to ask for an act of justice at their hands. Mr Cabreras seconded the motion pro forma, and it was carried. The Council then resolved itself into Committee to consider the estimates for

the next six months, when a number of items were passed. Mr Lahman moved—" That the report of the Select Comrijptee, regarding the common Gaol at Greymouth, be adopted." Motion put and carried. Mr Cahrbras muved— "That in the opiniou of this Council it is desirable that, for the convenience and safety of the miners proceeding to and from the Greenstone diggings, a foot or horse track be constructed from opposite the junction of the Greenstone and Teremakau to Chesterfield ; and that the County Engineer be instructed to lay out and call for tenders for the same." The motion was passed. ■