COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1101, 7 February 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

' [abridged from the w. c. times.] Monday, Februarys. , Mr Dungan presented a petition from miners and others at Maori Gully, praying that a track be constructed between Maori Gully and Saltwater. The petition' was read and received. .- ; M The Chairman presented a memorial from Messrs Aldrich, Boyle, and Thompson, proposing to sell the Arahura Bridge to the County Government. The memorial was read and received. • ; ; The Chairman presented a petition from miners and others at the Hau Hau, Big Paddock, and Blue Spur, praying for. the construction of a road from those districts to connect with the Kanieri road. The petition was read and received. Mr Bonar presented a petition from John Ellis, toll collector at Kawaka, praying that in tho event of any new arrangements being made, consequent upon the opening of theloop line of road, he should have the preference in any appointment made. The petition was read and received. Tho Chairman laid on the table the Auditor's report for the past half-year. The report was read and ordered to be printed. Mr Fox moved — " That a committee, consisting of Messrs Dungan, Hoos, Button, and the mover, be appointed to inquire into and report upon the claims of the Grey Valley Tramway Company for compensation." The motion was seconded by Mr Robinson, and passed. Mr Bonar moved — "That the Council go into committee to considerthe petition of Messrs Tilbrook and Iyess on the printing contract." He said that there appeared to. have been some misunderstanding on the part of the Council as to the tenders, and the petitioners alleged that a mistake had been made. He thought therefore that the Council should investigate the matter. Mr Button seconded the motion. After some discussion, Mr Hoos said it was useless to discuss the question. The Council had not .bound itself, in calling for. tenders, .to accept the lowest, and having accepted a tender could not now go into the question; He moved '' That progress be reported;" Mr Button seconded ;the motion, which was carried after some discussion, and the Council resumed. Mr Fox moved—" That a committee, consisting of Messrs Bonar, Button, Hoos, and the mover, be appointed to inquire and report on Mr Cooper's petition for compensation. Mr Bqnar seconded the motion. Mr Barff would like to know whether the same Committee would have to consider the loss the County had sustained by the employment of Mr Cooper by the County Engineer to survey the Omotumotu road, and which he laid out. so as to cross the line of railway some thirtyseven times. The Chairman said it was hot so many -—only ten times. " Mr Hoos was sorry to" hear thai MrCooper, who had been dismissed from, the service of the County; had been employed by the. County Engineer. . ; . : The Council divided on the motion— Ayes, 4; Noes, 5. The following is the division list : — Ayes — Messrs Bonar, Fox, Barff, Lahman. ; Noes— Messrs Button, "Robinson, Dungan, Scanlan, Hobs. The motion was therefore, negatived. On the motion of the Chairman, the Council resolved itself into Committee for the further consideration, of the probable expenditure for the ensuing six months. The following items were passed :— Weights and. Measures.— -Inspector, Ll5O ; contingent expenses, Is4o. Charitable.— Lnnatic" Asylums—Salaries : Inspector. of Lunatics, L2I? Surgeon, L 10 0; chief attendant, L 137 10s ; two assistant do, 10s per diem, LIQ2 ; maintenance of six lunatics, at Sunnyside, Christchurcli, Ll7l 12s ; maintenance female ward, L 30 0; rations, male do, L 20 0; bedding and clothing, LSO ; medical comforts and incidentals, LSO; Aid to Destitutes.— L2oo. Progress was ordered to be reported and the Council resumed. Mr Hoos moved — "That it is desirable that whenever prison labor is employed within the Boroughs or Road Board Districts, that the Borough Council or Road Boards be requested to pay to each prisoner employed, at its release, 3d per diem (in any case) such remuneration is not to exceed L 5 sterling," He said he i

felt sure that neither the Borough Qoun-; oil or; the ] Road Boards would object to pay that small sum to the prisoners when they were employed in works for those bodies. He considered it would be an incentive to good behaviour if the prisoners knew that they were earning a Bmall sum which would be given to them on their release. Mr Barff seconded the motion, .The Chairman was afraid there would be ; great difficulty in collecting the amounts and in keeping account, against the Eoad Boards or Borough Council: > After some further discussion, the; Council divided on the motion — Ayes, 3 ; : Noes, 6. The following is the division list :— Ayes— Messrs Hoos, Barff, and Scanlan. Noes — Messrs Bonar, Button, Robinson, Fox, Dungan, Lahmanv The motion was therefore negatived.