COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1095, 31 January 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

4 ■ [abridged from the w. c. times.] Monday, January 29. Mr Scanlan presented a petition from miners at Saltwater Beach, praying that a Warden's Court be opened in that district. The petition was read and received. Mr Barpp presented a petition from business people and miners resident in Goldsborough, praying for the construction of protective works. The petition was read and received. Mr Soanlan presented a petition from miners at the Saltwater Beach, Okarito district, praying that land be reserved from lease or sale in that district, for the purpose of .turning out horses to graze. The petition was, read and received. Mr Barff presented a petition from Mr Hungerford, stating that the construe-, tion of the loop line of road will seriously injure the traffic on the Arahura bridge, and praying that the Council will take the matter into consideration. The petition was read aud received. • The Chairman stated that as the contract for printing had nearly expired, he had invited tenders, aud he proposed to open them, if it was the pleasure of the Council.; Tender.3 were opened from Messrs Tilbrook and Ivess, and Mr J. P. Klien, and the tender of the latter being the lowest, it was accepted on tihe motion of Mr Button, seconded by Mr Hops. Mr Scanian asked— "lf the Chairman is aware that any of the contractors to the County Government have not complied with the terms of their agreement." He said his reason for asking the question was that it was rumored that fourteen or fifteen hundredweights had been sent in for a ton of coal. The Chairman said that only one instance had occurred where the servant of a contractor had made an error, which was : at onco rectified, and would, not recur. The Chairman moved— "That a Committee, consisting of Messrs Button, Robinson, Barff, Hoos, and the mover, be appointed to consider the claims of tramway companies for compensation. To report in a fortnight." He said he had received a letter from the Kanieri Tramway. Company asking to have their claims considered. The motion was agreed to. Mr Button moved—" That the Ghair-

man be requested to take the nefcessai;, 7 steps to give practical effect ;to the resolution of this Council, passed ;on the 7th;o;f j^ugmjt,' 1871, having ref erehcetoHhe sale •of'tfie township of Ross." He said that on the day mentioned it had been resolved that the township should be sold, and nothing had been. done > to _ cai-xjihat^ resolution ou'C" iFyas^the earnest; and ardent desire of 'the inhabitants that the township should be sold. ' "jwaV "supported also.. by Mr, Hoos and Mr Bakfp, : aiid ! passed 7 with' a slight* ' verbal amendment. , ... , , t >v ?-: Mr Button" moved— "That this Council is of opinion that it is desirable thai a Government Post ; Office should be established in the "township of Ross." Mr Bonar seconded the motion. Mr Hoos had.no doubt pf the necessity of having a post office building at Ross, but the question was whether the County would have to pay the cost. The motion might be amended so that the General Government be required to erect the , building at its own cost; The C.hairm4v said that the General Government contemplated opening a telegraph station at Ross, and doubtless the post office would be connected with-it. The motion passed without dissent. Mr Button moved — " That the sum of L2OO be placed on the Estimates +o be paid to the Totara Road Board as a special endowment for repairing and maintaining the Jones' Flat and Donoghue's storm channels."— Mr Robinson seconded the motion, but suggested the substitution of the word " subsidy" for the word " endowment." — Mr Button consented to the alteration, but after a brief discussion the motion was withdrawn, pending the passing of Estimates. ... 'j On the motion of the ChaiumAn,. the Council resolved itself into Committee for the further consideration of the probable expenditure for the ensuing six months'.' Mr Hoos said that he had been very much pleased t0... hear, the _Chairman..con- . gratulate the County upon .the state, of its finances/ but"- he' ■: found ; upbti looking : - at' the figures that there really was no cause, for congratulation, ! for, if there was anjr difference, the County .finances ,were .in a worse state than they were previously. Mr Hoos, in continuation, criticised the financial statement of the Chairman, and denied that the deficiency bill was an heirloom which he had left his successor. The Chairman entered into an explanation in reply, in the course of which he maintained that the County was in abetter financial : position now than: it was previously, because there was no overdraft at the bank, and all demands were promptly met. Mr Bonar considered it would be better for members to confine themselves to the present circumstances of the* County. He did not approve of perpetuating the amount borrowed on deficiency bills. He thought that provision should be made to reduce the debt, if ,not. to clear, it off altogether. The consideration of the estimated expenditure was then proceeded with. Administrative. — County Secretary, and Chief Clerk,, I/I 75. Clerk, L 125. County Treasurer, L 225. Accountant, L 137 10s. .• Expenses of mem-" bers of County Council, L4OO. Ditto election, LSO. The item, .'< County Solicitor, , L 125 " was postponed. . The following itema were passed : — Administration of Justice. —War- r den's Courts — Three Wardens, L 750. One Sub- Warden, LSO. One clerk, L 137 10s. Four • dittoy LSOO. One bailiff, Greymouth, L9O. Two ditto, Ross and. Waimea, Llso; ' : ' ;.,, = ;.; ; I , Police. -rQne Inspector, L 175. „one. ?7 Sub -Inspector, ; LI SO. . One Sergeant^ Major at 14s per diem \ L 127 Bs. Four first-class sergeants,' and one ditto and clerk at 12s per diem, 9J546. ;Twb second-" class sergeants atlls 6d per diem, L 209 os. Two. mounted constables at 10s 6d per diem, Ll9l 2s. Sixteen foot con? stables at lOs per diem, L 1456. "~ The item, " Three third-class sergeants at 11s ,5d per diem" was postponed. On the item for " one, first-class detec-s tive, at 14s per diem," considerable dis-" cussion arose on the question whether it had not been agreed in the previous session that an extra ' shilling per day should be paid, and it was ultimately agreed to postpone the item for further enquiry. ' Progress was ordered to be reported and the Council adjourned.