COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 673, 12 May 1870, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

(?BOM OPK SJM3CIAI, COEEESPONPENT.) Monday was the first day that any real business came before the Council, and your member (Mr Harrison) had the stage all to himself, in consequence of no other notice of motion but his hnving been given. Three petitions were presented — one by Mr Carreras from the Hohonu Water Race Compauy, praying for the remission of the charges made for the services of the County Engineer for surveying and laying out their race ; and for a special claim of auriferous ground. The second was presented by Mr Reeves from a number of miners working on^ or near Lake Brunner, asking that a subsidy should be given towards the ferry across the Teremakau, near what is known as "The Paddock," not far from the Christchurch road. The third was brought up by Mr White, and was a petition from a number of persons (133 in number), praying that the ferry at the mouth of the Teremakau should, at the expiration of the existing contract, be thrown open. All were read and received. Mr Harrison moved for a Committee to enquire into the accounts between the County and the General Government. In bringing forward his resolution he stated that, from information he had received from the County Treasurer, the accounts in question were in a very unsatisfactory state. As was well known, the whole of the consolidated revenue of the County was first paid to the General Government, and after certain deductions were made/ the balance was remitted to the County. But he found that there were several items in these deductions for which he (Mr Harrison) could ascertain no authority. For. instance, every month there was an item of Ll2 10s charged as the salary of a clerk in the Colonial Treasury. No such offlcer figured in the Colonial Estimates as a charge against the County, and he could not understand why such a charge should be made. Again, the whole cost- of the Volunteer Staff and the District Court were charged against Westland, although both these departments did duty on the Nelson Gold Fields. Then, again, he found that the salary of bailiffs on the Nelson Gold Fields was charged against Westland, presumably, because the Government had confounded the Judicial District of Westland with the County. He had no doubt that a case might be made out that would establish the right of the County to the refund of a considerable sum of money, and relieve it from many unjust charges now made. The motion was carried " nem. con." Mr Harrison moved the second resolution standing in his name to the effect that a Committee be appointed to draw up a memorial to the General Assembly, setting forth the condition and urgent necessities of the County, and praying for such aid as would enable the Council to resume public works. The hon. member commenced by stating that he had brought forward his motion because of the fact, which must be generally recognised, that the time had arrived when Westland should receive other aid than was afforded by its current revenues to enable it to develop its rich. resources and open up its territory. He regretted deeply to notice the disparaging tone indulged in by a portion of the press of Westland. The Council was accused of every sin \inder the sun, without any regard to facts. It ought not to be forgotten that although the population had decreased, and the revenue had fallen off, there were certain departments of Government which must be maintained in their efficiency. The cost of the administration of Justice, Police, Gaols, Hospitals, and many other branches of the public service, could not be reduced proportionately to the revenues. At the present . time the General Government departments cost nearly as much a3 they did when the revenue was double what it now is. The County Council had done its duty. In three or departments alonea saving of over LIO,OOO a year had been effected since the foundation of the County. The first year of the Council the Survey and Engineer's, Harbor, Police, and Gaol Departments cost L 28,600 per annum. They were now reduced to L 18,400, setting aside other savings, viz., the Hokitika Hospital, and many other items. It had been said that lie had stated at Greymouth " that the departmental expenses of the County absorbed 80 per cent, of the revenue ;" and upon that had been founded a cry " that it cost LBO to spend L 100." He had said nothing of the sort. What he did state was, that the costs of administration and of the performance of the most essential and necessary functions of Government — viz., the administration of justice, police, gaols, and hospitals, amounted to 80 per cent, of the revenue. That was the fact ;^ and, in the face of the existing state of things, it was hopeless for the people to expect public works to be undertaken. He believed that Westland might obtain assistance from the Assembly. It was to the general advantage of the colony that this County should prosper, and it could not do so without being enabled to develops its rich resources, and settle a permanent population within its borders. Mr Bakj?f seconded the motion, whicl was carried " nem con." In the County Council on Tuesday night, Mr Carreras moved— "That the sums charged by, and due to the County, for Mining Engineer's services and expenses in connection with the Hohonu Race Company, be remitted." Mr Reeves seconded the motion. The Chairman and Mr Harrison strongly opposed the motion. The Chairman moved as an amendment— " That the sum be reduced from L141 19s 8d to LIOO. He had received an offer of that amount from the manager of the company." Mr Barff opposed the motion, because the County could not afford to lose the money. The amendment was put, and, on a division, the votes were equal. Ayes — Harrison, White, Barff, Hoos, Noe3— Carreras, Robinson, Reeves, Clarke. The Chairman yave his casting vote with the ayes. The amendment was therefore carried. Mr Carreras moved — " That it is very desirable that Miner's Rights should be issued in this County for six months as well as twelve months, and that the Chairman and members of the General Assembly be requested to lay the case before the Assembly at its next Bitting." He urged that it would be a great boon to the miners, especially to those living on the border of the Provinces of Nelson and Westland. Mr Reeves seconded the motion.— The Chairman opposed the

motion, as it was opposed to the Gold Fields Act, and if carried into effect would disfranchise nearly all the miners. Mr Clarke suggested the withdrawal of the motion. Mr Carreras asked leave to withdraw the motion, but Mr Beeves objected. The question was put, and was, on the casting vote of the Chairman, lost. A Printing, and also a Public Works Committee were appointed! Tftr Harrison, by leave, moved that the resolution relative to the payment for report* ing the proceedings of the Council; be rescinded unless the contractor can satisfy the Printing Committee that he is in a position to furnish satisfactory reports. Mr White seconded the motion, which was carried. The consideration of tenders for the Lunatic Asylum, and the repairs of roads was deferred.