COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 949, 11 August 1871, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, August 9. On the motion of Mr Hoos, it was resolved " That all unoccupied houses belonging to ihe County Government which require extensive repairs, be sold, taken down, and removed." Mr Robinson moved — "That upon expiration of the present contract for the maintenance of the Greenstone load and Chesterfield track, this Council is of opinion that the maintenance of these works should be remitted to the Road Boards of the respective districts." He thought these works might be undertaken by the local bodies. If this resolution was given effect to they might dispense with the services of the County Engineer. The Chairman opposed the motion. The more roads they had to maintain, the more would the services of the County Engineer be required. It had been' proved that these bodies were not able to carry out such works. In the Arahura district the Road Board had constructed a track at an expense of L7OO, which, according to an estimate of the County Engineer, was not worth more than LI 00. Mr Button was in favor of such works being placed in the hands of the Road Boards, but he thought it premature, as the contract would not expire for six months. Messrs Guinness, Babff, Dungan, and Scanxan also opposed the motion. Mr Robinson replied to the various points argued by the members of the Council. The motion on being put was negatived. Mr Robinson's motion for offering a bonus of LSO for the best essay on Westland and its resources, was carried. The mover said that a similar course had been adopted in other countries with great advantage. The County had suffered much at the hands of the General Governmont, and the Canterbury Provincial Government, owing to their total ignorance of ; anything pertaining to it. Much good might be derived from it, and the sum of money required would be small. Mr Button seconded the motion pro ; forma. It was, however, a question whether they would get an essay that : would do much practical good. The Chairman did not deny the useful- '. ness of such an essay, but he thought the sum of LSO too small. Mr Barff thought the motion might be ] amended. ■ Mr Dungan would support the motion, i as he thought it would do much good. i Mr Soanlan thought it would be better I to cut a track in some part Q* the bush ] with the LSO. * ' ( Mr Bonab considered the motion pre- ' mature. 1 Mr Robinson, having replied, the Coun- i cil divided, and the motion was carried. i IN COMMITTEE. ( On the motion of the County Chairman, i the Council went into committee on the 1 folllowing resolution : — j The Chairman moved — " That the 1 Council go into Committee to consider a i resolution of the Provincial Council of Otago, forwarded by his Honor the Su- t perintendent, asking the Council for co- i operation, in order to prevent the further I expenditure of the revenue of the Middle s Island in the Northern Island." The \ Chairman had received a letter from the t Provincial Council of Otago, accom- c panied with a resolution to the above c effect. He had received no further ex- c planation. g Agreat deal of discussion ensued. Ulti- I

mately Mr Barff moved — "That the Chairman be requested to convey to his Honor the Superintendent of Otago, an expression of regret, on the part of the Council, that the paucity of information forwarded to the Council precludes the possibility of expressing an opinion upon the subject matter contained in the resolution, passed by tha Provincial Council of Otago." Mr Guinness seconded the motion, which was carried. Progress was reported, and the Council resumed. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Barff, that tenders for a road from Greenstone road to Italians aud Callaghan's Diggings be called for, payment to be made — L3OO in cash and the remainder in land.