COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 683, 4 June 1870, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, June 1. [condensed from w. c. times.] The Council went into committee on the Waste Lands Bill. In considering Part VII., Mr Reeves proposed the insertion of a clause, providing "That all auction sales of land should be effected by licensed auctioneers instead of by the Chief Commissioner of Waste Lands." It was finally arranged that a new clause should be introduced to meet the case in another part of the bill. Clause 43, Part VIII., passed, but the following section caused an animated debate. It was proposed to limit the term of mining reservation on rural and subarban lands to seven years from the date of purchase. Mr Barff moved, as an amendment — " That the term be extended to twenty-one years." He would have preferred to have seen the reservation in perpetuity; but as a majority of members had expressed themselves in favor of a term of years, he trusted that his amendment would be agreed to. Mr Carreras seconded the motion, at the same time stating that although a mining reservation might be made, he doubted very much if it could be enforced in a court of law. The Chairman opposed the amendment, and considered that fourteen years would be sufficient. Mr Robinson supported the amendment. He eutirely agreed with the member for Okarito, that for the next ten years Westland must depend to a very great extent upon the developement of its mineral recources. He feared that if the reservation extended over a short period only that land would be brought up in all directions for the purpose of speculation. Mr Clarke opposed the amendment, and trusted to see evejy facility given to those who wero willing to purchase the land. Mr Reeves first supported the amendment, but after further consideration had altered his opinion, and should vote for a shorter term. Mr Lahman opposed the amendment, and expressed an opinion that the fewer restrictions placed upon the sale of lands the better. Mr BarfPs amendment was put to the vote, and lost. The Council divided. Ayes : Mr Barffj Carreras, Robinson. Noes : Mr Clarke, Reeves, Lahman, Hoos. Mr Reeves then proposed,- and Mr Clarke seconded—" That the word f fourteen' be inserted in the plrce of ' seven.' " Amendment agreed to.

Thursday, June 2. Mr llobinson brought up the report of the committee appointed to make out a list of the roads and tracks most urgently required. The report recommended the following roads and tracks : — Road from Hokitika to the Kokoaihi River ; the completion of the road from the Arnold to Greymouth ; road from Woodstock to Woodhouse's store on the Totara River ; road from Arahura to Staff -rd Town ; a four-feet metalled track from Maori Gully to Clifton ; a horse track from Nemona to Greenstone ; a horse track from the Blue Spur to the Christchurch road ; a track from Kanieri township to Upper Kanieri River. On the motion for the report, The Chairman expressed the opinion that the Committee were only slightly acquainted with the country. The most urgently needed road at the present time, was a road from the Christchurch road to Greek's Gully. The road had been swept away by tho floods, and now it had to be Laken through Maori property, and some arrangement should be made for compelling the Native Reserves Trust to contribute towards the cost. Mr Barff noticed that the report was silent upon ihe necessities of the Southern District. 4. sharp discussion ensued, the Chairman )bjecting that the report had been drawn ip without proper consideration, and that

he ought to have been consulted by the committee, Mr White suggested that the road mentioned by the Chairman should be included in the recommendation of the committee. The discussion as3uined a personal character, and several members protested against the tone adopted by the Chairman, which was stated to be unjustifiable and insulting. After further desultory debate, the report wa3 received. Mr Reeves asked — " What steps, if any, have been taken to recover from the Guarantee Society the amount of the late County Treasurer's Bond ?" The Chairman replied that legal advice had been taken on the matter, but it was doubtful if the guarantee could be removed, as the policy was made out in the name of the County " Paymaster," and not as County "Treasurer." Mr Reevea asked — " What has been done in re insurance of Government buildings, in accordance with resolution of the Council at its last sitting ?" His reason was, that he had heard outside that the insurance policies had been renewed, without any inquiries having been made as to the probability of less premium being required. The Chairman said that the hon. member was misinformed. No steps whatever had been taken in the matter, which had been left in the hands of the County Treasurer. After some important business, Mr Robinson moved that the Council adjourn. The Chairman opposed the motion, but, after some further personal discussion, Messrs White and Clarke left the Chamber, and the Council was counted out.