LATEST TELEGKAMS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1078, 11 January 1872, Page 2

LATEST TELEGKAMS.

... ♦ — : [per greville's telegraph company, rbuter's agents.] OPENING OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. THE CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH. All the members were present except Mr Fox. The Chairman, in his speech, said the debt of the County on the 31st ultimo was L 14 ,067, and the assets L 11,225, tyit there were no liabilities pressing. The County had received no accounts from the Colonial Treasury since June last. The receipts for the half year were L 2475 less than estimated, and LB4B less than the previous half year. The land revenue showed a slight increase. Business licenses had decreased considerably, on account of the sale 'of the townships of Goldsborough and Stafford. The financial condition of the County was sound. All demands on the Treasury during the past half-year had been promptly paid. He explains the cause of his visiting Wellington, and acknowledges the kind reception he received from the Governor and Ministers. He takes credit for procuring the expenditure, in one year, of Westland's three years share of the Railway "Fund. He expects that the trunk road from Greymouth to Ross would be proceeded with till completed. Referring to annexation, he says, "The threatened dismemberment of the County received but little, if any, encouragement from the Government, and, like other impracticable motions, died a natural death." . The alteration of the Capitation Allowance involved a loss to the County of LBOOO annually. Thanks were due to Mr Harrison for his efforts to reopen the question of the Canterbury debt. He had received a communication from the Government, from which he expects that L3OOO would be paid to the County out of the Road Fund, for expenditure on permanent works. The Waste Lands Act was working satisfactorily. Tho General Government has given instructions for the immediate survey of the road from Greymouth to Omoturaotu Creek, and he expects that the road from Greymouth to the Arnold would be completed during the summer. Compensation to tramways and the desirability of a railway from Greymouth to Ross were questions for the Council to consider, He urges the necessity for an alteration of tho basis upon which hospitals are subsidised. In conclusion, he takes a hopeful view of the County's pro-? sppcts. No other business was taken up, and the Council adjourned until Thursday evening.