BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 788, 4 February 1871, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The utua 1 fortnightly meeting of the Cpnncil was held in the Town Hall, last night. Present — E. Wickes, Esq. , Mayor, presiding ; Councillors Kennedy, Moore, Woolcock, Coates, Nichol, and Pnrcell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and coufirmed. A letter from Mr Sub-Inspector Hickson, recommending the erection of a pound for stray cattle, was referred^ to the Public Works Committee, to report at next meeting. Correspondence and telegrams were read from, the County Chairman with regard to the proposed visit of the Governor to Westland. The particulars have already been published.- A conversation took place as to the advisability of asking the Governor, to visit Greymouth on the present occasion, when Mr Kennedy moved "That a suitable address from this Council be prepared and forwarded to the County Chairman, to be presented to the Governor on his arrival at Hokitika, urging the necessity of his Excellency paying a visit to Greymcuth on his present visit to the West Coast." Mr Moore seconded the motion. Mr Niohol and Mr Woolcock thought the proceedings were premature, and ought to be delayed until the Governor's proposed lengthy and formal visit. The Mayor approved of the motion, and- on its being put it was carried by five to three. A committee, consisting, of the Mayor, Councillors Kennedy, Nichol, and Moore, was appointed to draft the address. A letter was read from the County Chairman stating that, at present, it was impossible that hard - labor prisoners could be sent from Hokitika to Grey- | mouth. An application had been made by the Town ClerK to Mr Whitefoord, as representative of the Nelson Government, for one-half of the cost incurred in removing snags from the river. A reply was read stating that the application would be forwarded to the Nelson Government, but Mr Whitefoord asked if a similar applica-

oion had been made to the Westland Government. It was stated that this had not been done, as there was a necessity for immediate action in the matter, and the Town Clerk was instructed to make the application to the Westland Government, and also reply to Mr Whitefoord's letter. A memorial was read from a number of residents in Tainui street requesting the removal of two huts, built on the street line, which were the resort of bad characters. It was resolved that the Town Clerk give the persons in question twenty-four hours' notice to- remove, otherwise the penalties of the Act would be enforced. A report was read from the Committee appointed to wait upon the Collector of Customs, with regard to wharfage accommodation, which stated that— " The Collector informed us the present limit for discharging merchandise from uny ship is 100 y.ards at either side of the Custom-house. He desires tv be officially informed whether the Council intend pr >- vidiiiif whuvi'&ne accommodation within that Lmit. If not, it is his intention to ap|)ly for an extension, and request the O 'Uncil to name the distance they propose, or what part of the whnrf they wish to have set apart for landing purposes. For the better securing the' revenue, the facility of officers, and the advantage of shipowners and importers, it would be necessary to have the Transit Shed as near the place of landing as practicable, and also a tide-waiter's office might be provided, and that it might be portable so as to be used whenever required ; and finally Mr Andrews expresses his readiness to afford any further information (personally) the Council may require on the subject." It was agreed to request Mr Andrews to recommend the extension of the landingplace as far west as Johnston street. With regard to the next portion of the report, Mr Nichoi moved—" That the financial position of the Council will not warrant the building of the box or the removal of the Transit Shed." Mr Kennedy moved as amendment—" That the Council is not at present in a position to extend the wharves, and, should the necessity arise for the removal of the Transit Shed, it will be done." After a discussion, the amendment was adopted. The report of the Finance Committee recommended that the account of Mr W. H. Harrison for expenses incurred and fee in endeavoring to negotiate the loan be paid. Several Councillors spoke with regard to their recollection of the arrangement which was made at the time, and a division took place, there voting for the payment of the amount, five — Councillors Nichol, Barclay, Coates, Moore, and the Mayor. Against it— Councillors Kennedy, Wooluock, and Purcell. — The report was adopted.

The Council was adjourning when Mr Kennedy asked by what authority tenders had been called for the filling up of a portion of Boundary street. He contended that the matter had gone through the Council illegally, and out to have been given notice of, instead of being passed on the reading of the Town Surveyor's report. The Mayor : It was moved on petition of the inhabitants in the usual manner. Mr Nichol : I agree with Mr Kennedy. The work has been fished up in a hole-and-corner manner. The Mayor : I ask that these words be withdrawn. I will not allow such-words to be made use of as long as I sit here. Mr Niohol : I still adhere to the words I made use of ; for the mode in which the thing was done justifies the expression. Mr Moore: Perhaps your attendance at this table has not been bo punctual as it should have been, and you should consider if in your absence business is transacted, yon should come here with hasty words. It is no use entering upon the use of hot and hasty words, simply making ourselves ridiculous ; let the matter be adjourned for enquiry. Mr Kennedy : I ask his Worship's ruling upon the point whether, under the standing orders, notice of the motion for the ordering of this work was not required. If I had known that a large expenditure was to be moved I would have been present at the meeting. I was surprised that the Mayor should allow a motion to pass as this one has done. The Mayor maintained that it had gone through legally, and in the usual manner. He read the clause requiring the immediate withdrawal of offensive expressions made use of in debate. The discussion continued for some time in the same strain, and the Mayor read the whole of the documents and proceedings in connection with the affair, showing that the question had been under the consideration of the Council since the 20th November last. Mr Kennedy did not object to the work itself, it was to the manner in which it had been got through the Council. It was against the standing orders, and he hoped that the Council would proceed in a different manner in future.

Mr Nichol agreed with the last speaker. He did not deny that he had been frequently absent from the Council lately, but he had a good reason for it, which he declined to state. His remarks were made when he found that another Councillor, who had not the same excuse for being absent, complained of the manner in which the affair had been got through. But his expression did not bear the full meaning his Worship attributed to it. They were no doubt hasty; but he certainly never would impute to any of the Councillors at that table that they would organise a meeting in a secret manner to. carry through any particular work. (Hear, hear.) The Council then adjourned.