COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1084, 18 January 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuesday, January 16. [abridged from the w. c. times.] Mr Dungan presented a petition from miners and residents in the Greenstone district, praying for the construction of a foot-bridge over tho Greenstone Creek. — The petition was read and received. Mr Dungan presented a petition from the inhabitants of Marsden, jwaying that the township be Fold.— The petition was read and received. Mr Fox presented a petition from William Cooper, late district surveyor at Greymouth, praying to be awarded three months' salary and arrears of field allowance, — Tho petition was read. On tho motion that it be received, the Chairman said the standing orders did uot permit the reception of a petition which asked directly for a payment of money. — Mr Barff suggested that the petition be referred back to Mr Cooper for amendment. Mr Fox said he would adopt that course, Mr Robinson moved — "That this Council condemns the practice of reJ moving or exchanging the Wardens' Clerks in the County, after becoming I acquainted with the duties of their respective offices." — if tor explanations had been made, the motion was negatived. REMOVAL Oi" THE GREENSTONE TOW if SHIP. Mr Dungan moved — "That in the opinion of this Council it is highly desirable that action be at once taken to consider the prayers of petitions received from the miners and business people of the Greenstone towrship, relative to the agitated question of its removal, and with the view of its Onal settlement." He said that a great deal of excitement had been caused on the matter amongst the, miners and the storekeepers at the Greenstone. There had been a dispute amongst them caused by the peculiar site of the township and by the large quantity of tailings coming down on it, which brought it into danger of being swamped out. This was particularly the case at one end. MHers had in cor sequence Hen compelled to knock off work, some had to cut storm channels, and others had been fined at the Warden's Couii. What might be termed a dead-lock had ensued, and the matter wai a sourc3 of great trouble and agitation. The miners s'tnply desired + hat that part of the township should be removed, or they must leave the ; -' claims. On the other hand, the business men felt that a removf ' would be a gjeat hardship to them, and considered themselves entitbd to compensation. A strong expression of opinion had been given at a public meeting held recently m the township to discuss the question, and he trusted the Counc ; ! would give it their earnest consideration. Mr Scanlan seconded the motion, but it appeared to him that the Council could do nothing in the matter. If the Hohonu Company wanted business men to move, they (the Company) should give compensation. If it had been a party of some ten or twelve men that owned the race, they would vei/ soon get an answer to that effect. Mr Robinson said that it was a vo./ complicated question, and the only course he could see was to appoint a committee to make inquiry, and to visit the locality. Mr Barff said that something must be done. The only solution which he could see was to mark out a new township on the terrace. But how that was to be done without infringing upon the rights of the miners located there, he could not see. The miners and storekeepers had endeavered to meet each other, but the interests were so conflicting that no settlement could be arrived at. Very good evidence was given of such disagreement by the fact that though a committee had been formed to draw up a petition to the Council,, it was found necessary to send two petitions to the Council, one from the miners and the other from the storekeepers. The business people could not afford the expense of removal, and though willing enough to meet the miners by mutual concessions, were so placed that it was preferable to wait and be swamped out. than to incur the cost of moving their buildings. Mr Bonar said that the question presented many difficulties, but he perceived that tho Warden in his report suggested that a township in a convenient situation be laid out and opened for sale, so that those -who chcose may settle permanently. He (Mr Bonar) considered that was the best mode of getting out of the difficulty .^ Those that did not see the propriety of removing could find that by adhering to their determination they were driving away the people from whom they were getting their livlihood, and they must perforce see that it would be wiser to obtain a permanent location. A site might be selected which would not entail much expense in removal. He had spoken to the Warden on the matter, and had been informed by him that, the storekeepers were willing to remove, but the Warden had not asked the publicans.. The township was in a very unsuitable place at present, and but for the work of some of the miners, it would have been swept away altogether. He did not think the Council was in any way bound to grant any compensation, and if it were granted in this case it might be asked for in respect to every gully where mining was conducted. Business people knew very Avell the uncertainty of their tenure, and they took the risks when they located themselves. Mr Button said-^-The more I look into this difficulty, the more I see my way yito it ; and the more 1 see may way into it, the less I see my way out of it. The Chairman said that in trying to compromise between the parties there was nothing to be got but abuse. That was his experience, as he had been accused of favoring the Hohonu Company, when he had not the slightest connection, interest, or knowledge with that Company. Ho could not, however, refrain from remarking, that, but for that Company the Greenstone would, ere this, have been one of those .places which had passed from memory. It appeared that one of the objections to removal was want of unanimity. Some of the business people were willing enough to remove, but they feared that if the others obstinately clung to their locations, those that removed would lose their business, as the miners would naturally go to the houses nearest to them. The only way out of the difficulty which he (the Chairman) could see, was to lay out a township elsewhere, to be laid open | for sale, and refuse to issue businecs licences. He would suggest to the member for Paroa to amend his motion, so that a committee of inquiry might be appointed, and evidence be taken, upon

which a satisfactory conclusion might be based. : Mr Dungan accepted :the suggestion, . and by leave, moved— "That a committee, consisting of Messrs Scanlan, Robinson, Fox, and the'mover, be appointed to consider tho petitions from miners and others at the Greenstone." ....,:, The motion was seconded by Mr Barff, and carried without dissent.