COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 629, 29 January 1870, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

(From the West Coast Times ) Wednesday, Jan. 25. Mr Barff asked the Chairman what steps he had taken with regard to the recent case of pleuro-pneumouia at Arahtira, and suggested that the services of a competent veterinary surgeon should be obtained to investigate the case. . The Chairman said that the case had been examined by scientific men and declared to be one of the worst form of the disease. He was in communication with the Government of Nelson with the view of declaring the whole of the West Coast an infected district. In reply to a question from Mr Harrison the Chairman stated that no proceedings had been taken against the Kanieri Water Race Company for the expenses of the Water Race Guarantee Committee, as he was advised that no legal claim conld be sustained. The Chairman stated, in reply to a question from Mr Lahman, that he could not reimburse any of the publicans in Greymouth who had made an over-payment for their licenses. MrßEßVjas obtained leave to move that tenders be called at once for the construction of the road to the Arahura on deferred payments. The motion was agreed to. The Council went into committee for the consideration of the Estimates. In •committee, several members spoke, and expressed the opinion that no. reduction should be made in salaries. ' Votes were taken for the County Chairman's and County Treasurer's Department. The item "expenses of members" was postponed. , In class 4, Administration of Justice, Mr Carreras and Messrs Lahman and Robinson opposed the retention of bailiffs to the Warden' Courts. A long discussion ensued, and the item was, on a division, passed. The various salaries for the police were passed without amendment. Progress was reported, and the Council resumed. • ■ On the motion of Mr Clarke, the advisability of constructing a road from the Arahura to Stafford Town was affirmed. Mr Reeves moved that a County Kngiueer be appointed, and that applications be invited from professional gentlemen. Mr White seconded the motion pro forma. The Chairman opposed the latter part of the motion. The County had a staff of highly efficient officers, and it would be unfair to them. After a short discussion, the motion was. carried* with the exception of the latter portion. On the motion of Mr Robinson, it was affirmed that it was desirable to fix some definite limit to the functions of the. Connty Council and the Road Boards, respectively, with regard to the control and management of roads and tracks, &c. On the motion of Mr Carreras it was resolved that tenders for the repairs of the various roads be called for as soon as possible. It was agreed,, on the motion . of Mr Carreras, that Messrs White, Robinson, and Barff be a Standing Committee to

open and accept tenders, and that all tenders be opened in public. Mr Cakrebas moved, and it was carried, that the County Solicitor be instructed to draw up a form of articles of contract for all requirements of the public service. The sum of LB6 13s 4d was ordered to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the cost of dog collars. Mr Harrison's motion with regard to a reduction of the price of town sections in Greyuiouth was postponed. RESERVE AT GREYM(OUTH Mr Harrison, moved — -''That the Chairman take the necessary steps for leasing or otherwise disposing of the unoccupied portion of the land the property of the Government, situated on the Maori Reserve, Grey mouth;" He Baid that the reserve in question was the only valuable piece of freehold land unoccupied. There were upon one portion of it some Government buildings, but he would be glad to see these removed, for the ground they occupied would pay the cost of the removal over and over again. The land was a most valuable piece and would bring in a revenue that would go far to pay the liabilities due to Greymouth if either sold or leased. Mr Lahman seconded the motion pro forma because he objected to the selling of the land. It would not be the interest' of his constituents that it should be sold, for it would reduce the value of other properties, and he was not sent to theCouncil to injure the interests of his constituents or to act in direct q position to their wishes. He would not object to the leasing. The Chairman was glad the motion had been brought forward. The land would bring a splendid revenue. He thought he would prefer its being leased, and would strongly advise the hon. member for Greymouth (Mr Lahman^, who was also secretary of the newly-formed coal mining company, to secure the same for the company, as it was the only piece of land suitable for a railway station. He opposed ihe sale, but if it were leased, it would bring a revenue for the Connty and for Greymouth for all time to come. He proposed to divide the receipts. If it were leased, he thought the coal company should have a prior right to it. Mr Cabreras supported the motion as altered on the suggestion of Mr Lahman. Mr Reeves thought the motion as it originally stood preferable. If sold, the debts due to the Borough Council and other Greymouth institutions could be paid, and a large surplus left for their protective works. Mr Lahman said it was the only reserve the Greymouth people had got, and they did not want to part with it. Mr White thought the matter might be left to the discretion of the Chairman. Greymouth had complained, and justly,, he thought, of the distribution of the revenue, and anything tending to remove, that grievance would be advantageous. Mr Harrtson did not care which way was agreed upon ; but he could not help thinking that his hon. colleague had a curious. idea of the duties of a representative. Whether it wa3 a relic of his continental ex perience3 learned where freedom of thought and action was not altogether allowed, he could not say, but he could not understand how, while admitting a thing to be advantageous, Mr Lahman could oppose it only for the reason that constituents did not wish it. For his part if, on conviction, he thought it right to adopt a particular course, he would do so if every man, woman, and child were opposed to it. . His hon. colleague had not been quite candid he thought* The fact was he had the idea that Greymouth was to become the seat of Government, i and the block should be reserved for Government buildings. The motion was agreed to. Thursday Jaw. 29 The report of the House and Printing Committee on the subject of contract entered into for the County Governmentprinting was brought up and received. The Council went into committee for the further consideration of the Estimates. Votes were taken for the Police and Gaol Services. On the item for half the salary of the constable at the Bealey. The Chairman considered that this officer was of no use to the County, and that it would be desirable to discontinue the expense after the ensuing six- months.; After a discussion it was decided that' three months salary only be voted, and that notice be given to the constable that his services will not longer be required. The items for the Lands and Works Department were passed without amendment. A discussion took place on the items for Mining Surveyors, but were passed without amendment. The item Ll5O for Assistant Engineer was reduced to L 75, on the understanding that the services of that officer were no longer required, and were to be dispensed with. A discussion occurred on the item L 450 for survey labor, several members considering the amount too large. Explanations were given by the Chairman, ami the item was passed, Mr Barff being dissentient. The various items for the Harbor Department were passed without dissent. The items for the Weights and Measures Department were passed without amendment. A discussion ensued on the consideration of class 8 (Hospital .and Lunatic Asylum), with regard to the necessity of providing more appropriate and extensive accommodation for the treatment of lunatics. The Chairman stated that the prisoners were already engaged in preparing for building an asylum on the gaol hill. The various items were passed. After a lengthened and desultory discussion the items LIOOO for education, and Ll5O for Inspector of Schools, werepassed. The following votes for public buildings were taken : — Additions to Grey Court House, L 20 0; repairs and maintenance of public buildings (including additions to gaol for asylum), L 50 0; Stillwater Bridge, L 450; protective works, Hokitika, L»'36i> ; do, Greymouth, L 1250. Progress was reported, and the Council resume!. On i !i« motion of Mr Lahmast, the resolution of a previous session, with regard to the payment of Hokitika members for attendance on committees was rescinded. A similar motion by Mr White, with regard to the honorarium to members, was also rescinded. The Council went into committee on the adjourned debate on the and afterwards adjourned.