COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 554, 5 August 1869, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

(Condensed from the West Coast Times.) Monday, August 2. the presbyterian school. Mr Button iiresented a petition from Mr Walter Paterson, stating that owing to his school having been placed under the National system he had been greatly prejudiced. A similar petition from the Rev J. Gow, Presbyterian Minister, to the same effect, was also presented. Both were read and received. MR REES' MISSION The Chairman said he had heard from several sources that a great disinclination on the part of the Westland public existed as to the rating powers that were to be asked for by Mr Rees, and in consequence he had sent the following telegram to that geutleman at Wellington: — " Mr Rees, take no action till you hear from the Council. " To this he had received a reply : — "Received; will wait, act quickly." He (the Chairman) asked the advice of the Council as to how he was to ast. He proceeded to say that at the time the resolution was passed, lie strongly objected to it, kuowing that the public were not able to stand it, and he now again laid the matter before the Council, hoping they would advise him, as he was not prepared to take the whole responsibility. Mr Lahmaki was very glad to hear this, especially as his constituents had already taken action to prevent further taxation. He was glad that the Chairman had taken action. He would be glad for Mr Rees to get borrowing powei s, without any other condition. There was a difference of opinion as to whether they possessed these at present or not, and it would be well to have the question determined whether they had or not, but he hoped nothing any further. Mr Reeves did not see the difference between borrowing and taxing. It was the same thing, for if the money was got it would still have to be paid for, and he thought it would be better to let the matter stand as it was. Mr Lahman offered some explanatory remarks. Mr Button thought that if their previous resolution was calculated to impede the object in view, they had better let it be in abeyance ; but lie thought if the rating powers were conferred, it would be an additional inducement to capitalists to lend money, as they would feel that if their revenue fell off, there would be other securities to fall back on. All they required was some L 30,000 or L 40,000 to carry out all their projected public works ; and if they could get it by means of the General Government, all the better. He referred to the fact that the Road Boards, that they usually regarded as inferior bodies, had really greater power, for they had rating powers, which the Government, apparently, did not think should be extended to them. The Chairman pointed out that the Road Boards had not the same revenues at their disposal that were put into the possession of the County Council. If additional taxation were put on the population, with it the revenue would decrease That was his chief objection to extra taxes being levied. If either a guarantee or a

letter of non-interference was given by the Government, the County was quite prepared to be self-dependent. Mr Button, in explanation, remarked that he said nothing about actually levying taxes, but he said that the power of doing so would be an increased inducement—a security to those who would lend Epraley. It was quite open for any Corporation to borrow money by way of overdraft, without striking any special rate ; but the power of striking a rate, if necessary, gave additional security to lenders, Mr Clare did not consider that it was at all contemplated, as a matter of necessity, to strike a tax, when the previous resolution was come to. [At this moment the fire-bell rang, and the Council was hurriedly adjourned for half an hour.] On re-assembling, the discussion was resumed, but dropped without any action being taken. THE KAWHAKA TOLL-GATE. Mr Lahman moved — " That the report of the Select Committee, respecting Mr Mark Sprot's lease of the Kawhaka tollgate, be adopted, and that it be read." Mr Carreras seconded the motion. The Chairman objected to it being read, as he considered it contained a grave censure on himself. He spoke very warmly on the subject, saying that it was equivalent to a vote of censure on himself. Mr Lahman- moved — "That it isdesh>. able that the tolls chargeable at the Kawhaka toll-gate be collected by the Government, and that the Chairman be requested to take the necessary steps to carry out the resolutions of this Council"—* Carried. THE ESTIMATES. Mr Reeves moved — " That it is undesirable to proceed with the consideration of the Estimates until the balance-sheet, showing the receipts and expenditure for the last half-year, has been laid on the table." — Carried. BANK OVERDRAFT. Mr Lahman asked leave to postpone the motion standing in his name, as he thought an amicable arrangement might be come to — " That the Chairman be requested to get the County Solicitor's opinion as to the validity of the agreement entered into by the Government of Westland with the Bank of New Zealand respecting an overdraft." Permission was refused. The motion was put, when the following amendment was earned :— " That it is undesirable to take the opinion of the County Solicitor until the correspondence be laid on the table" Tuesday, August. 3. the bank ojp new zealand and the COUNCIL. Mr Button asked — "1. When the Chairman first received information that the Bank would not carry out the arrangement respecting the overdraft. 2. What provision olid the Chairman make to meet the difficulty. 3. What liabilities have been incurred since the Bank manager declined." The Chairman said that a letter had been received stating that the Bank would not carry out the arrangement relatn c to the overdraft on the 26th of April. He could not state what the liability of the Council was exactly, but it was nearly L7OOO, as since the Bank had stopped the overdraft he had given cheques for the Stoney Lead compensation and other things. Mr Button said that was not what he wanted to know. He wanted to know whether any contracts had been entered into subsequent to. the credit being stopped ; and what other liabilities had been incurred subsequent to that date. The Chairman remarked that, if the hon. member would move for any returns, they would be placed upon the table. Mr Lahman said that when the difficulty arose, Mr Roberts said he was perfectly willing to carry out the arrangement, provided Mr Stafford did not intend the circular to apply to this County. When the Chairman and himself saw Mr Stafford, he said that, not only the circular did not apply to Westland prospectively, but he would give a letter to that effect, which he did. After that Mr Roberts allowed an increase on the overdraft. After some further remarks, Mr Button asked for the correspondence that was promised to be laid on the table, and the Chairman handed him a tolerably bulky parcel of letters. Mr Button read an extract from one of the 15th of February, in which the manager consented to the overdraft required, on certain conditions, one of which was that it was to be " avainst and in anticipation of revenues." The Chairman gave some further explanations on the subject. Mr Lahman said this was clearly wrong, as the overdraft was based on the Estimates of the hist session, of which Mr Roberts was perfectly aware. He could have seen for himself whether the receipts came up to the Estimates. He (Mr Lahman) considered that this was a mere subterfuge as to not rendering correct statements, as, under the circumstances, they were not required. The subject then dropped. THE ESTIMATES. The consideration of the Estimates, was postponed to Thursday. REGISTRATION OP ELECTORS. Mr Reeves moved — "That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable' that certain alterations be made in The Registration of Electors Act, 1866, relating to the registration of persons qualified to vote for the election of members for the House of Representatives and County Council of Westland." He intimated Ms intention of referring the motion to a committee, but before doing so, pointed out some of the amendments he desired. He concluded by moving — "That the subject be referred to a select committee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr Button Mr Lahman, and the mover." Mr Carreras seconded the motion, which was carried. SUBSIDISING DENOMINATIONAL SCHOOLS. Mr Button moved — " That out of the sum to be placed on the Estimates for educational purposes, the Board of Education be empowered to devote a sum towards subsidising the denominational schools of Hokitika for the last six months. " — Negatived.