COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1091, 26 January 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

„-€ Wednesday, January M * - [abridged from west coast times.] overseer op works. Mr Button ..mpyed— 'tTha*. Jn_the opinion of this Council it is~advisable that a permanent overseer of works should be appointed." He said that he considered . that as . there were many works, being undertaken^ itv would, , be. feund preferable to have a permanent overseer of works, than to appoint one from , time to time as occasion required. | ■ On the suggestion of the County Chairman, the motion was postponed for the attendance of the County Engineer. BRIDGING THE GREENSTONE CREEK. Mr Dungan moved — "That in the opinion of this Council it, is highly desirable a sum of money be placed upon the Estimates for the construction of a footbridge across the Greenstone Creek, at a point neir the junction of theTeremakau." He said that he had brought forward the motion in compliance with the urgent wishes of the people of the district. The want of a bridge over the creek was sorely felt, arid he hoped something would be done speedily to supply that want. An opinion had been expressed in the Council that works of the kind should be undertaken by the Road Boards, but as far as the Paroa Road Board was concerned that was impracticable. That Board is in a state of hopeless insolvency, and would remain so until some benevolent action were taken to relieve it from its present condition. It was supposed that the subsidy from the General Government would enable the Board to execute such works, but it remained to be seen whether the Board would consent to rate mining claims, and how the miners would receive it. The member for Arahura hadihad a committee appointed on the subject of bridging creeks, and he (Mr Dungan) would,- therefore, not press his motion, but. ask leave ibo refer it. .to that committee. .' ' ' ■'" The Chairman, suggested that the motion should be withdrawn altogether, as the bridge in question could be included in those to be considered by the Select Committee. After some further discussion, the motion was, by leave, withdrawn. Mr bruce's appiication for land. The Chairman moved — "That the report by the Committee in re Mr Brucefs application for land under the q'Qth clause of 'The Westland Waste Lands. Act, 1870,' be adopted." He said that he need not make any comments, as the report of thp Chief Surveyor, which would be read, would leave no doubt on the minds of members as to the propriety and expediency of granting the application. The report of the Chief Surveyor was then read. ' I Mr Buttqn supported thp mptipn, as, he considered the application of Mr Bruce differed in its circumstances from others of thp kind. ... MrHpog, who also suppopted the motion, desired to point out that under the Wetland Waste Lands Act $ right was reserved to miners, to enter upon tne land for mining purposes, for fourteen years after sale. . Mr Barpf did not consider that was much euarantee tqjniners, as unless the ground, was extraordinarily ~Jicn7 there was no chance of its being worked after it became private property. He was not at all averse to selling the lands, but it was important to be, assured that the land to be sold was not auriferous, Mr Fox, in supporting the motion, stated that though he had not been* on the very land itself, he had been very near to it, as near as within two mileg. He had seen no gold there, nor indications of it. . Mr Dungan had never visited the locality, and he could not, therefore, give any opinion. Mr Scanlan did not approve of such- a mode of disposing of i*the lands of the County. Mr Bonar was in favor of selling the land. ;!. Mr Hoos considered that the matter required further ventilation, and moved — V That the Council resolve itself into a cofnmittee to 'consider the question." He then entered •at considerable lengfh into h^s view? as to the advantages derivable from selling lands and settling the people; Mr Barfb seconded" the motion r f6r going into Committee pro forma, but opposed it and made some running comn}ents upon Mr Hoos's statements as to tfie principles by which the Council should^e r^led. : The motion to go.intp cqmmittee was. then negatived, and the. original motion carried on the voices. .