COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1107, 14 February 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[abridged prom the west coast times.] Monday, February 12; The Chairman and all the members but Mr Button were present. THE FLOOD AT GREYMOUTH. : The Chairman desired, before going into the businesb oh the order paper, to refer to' the disasters' which had befallen a portion of the County, and. more particularly the town, of Greymouth, the condition of. which, since the flood,? was truly indescribable. 'He had. communicated with the General Government on the subject, and Mr O'Connor, the-Dis-: trict Engineer, had received instructions to inspect the locality with the view of having such works constructed as will protect the town from such occurrences. On his (the Chairman's) part, he would tell the Council that he had expended the sum of LSO for the immediate relief of the most destitute, who wero more numerous than was probably supposed, numbers of families having been rendered utterly homeless, and it was only surprising that many lives had not been sacrificed. On this point, he felt great pleasure in stating that the exertions of the police had been the means of saving many lives. Me Bokar said that he was sure the Council generally had heard with great regret the statement of the Chairman, and deeply sympathised with, the distress which had overtaken a. portion of the County^ The calamity was very serious, and the Council would freely endorse the action taken by the Chairman. MrBARFFhad also heard of the communication with much regret. He thought that something should be done immediately to relieve pressing cases. In a few days the Council would be in possession of information to enable it to take such steps, as might be necessary to apply an effectual remedy for the. disaster, but meanwhile he would move-— "That the Chairman be authorised to expend a sum of money, not to exceed LIOO, for the relief of the sufferers by the flood at Greymonth."' > ■;. ■■<■, ■. '; ■;■■.-..

Mr Dung an would most willingly, second the motion. He deeply regretted that circumstances had arisen to, render the motion necessary, and he trusted the Council .would heartily and energetically apply itaelf to do whatever was in its power to afford effectual relief.-

The Chairman was much gratified at the resolution having been moved, and that the members of the Council so readily endorsed his views. ;

Mr Hoos as much regretted the occurrence as any one, but he could not support the motion, because he considered the suni proposed wholly inadequate, for the purpose. He thought it would be better to defer the matter . until the Estimates were under consideration, when he should advocate a sum of L 250.

Mr Bonar could see no objection to passing the resolution in its present form. It would be affording immediate relief, and the amount could be subsequently supplemented. He understood that a Relief Committee had baen formed in Greymouth, and he trusted that very soon a Committee would be formed in Hokitika, to raise a fund for the relief of the sufferers. He would suggest that it would be setting a good example if the members of the Council contributed individually to such a fund. Mr Fox considered that LIOO was altogether insufficient, and he would give notice for the Council to go. into Committee on Wednesday next, to consider the subject and to vote L 250.

Mr Robinson agreed with the member for Hokitika, Mr Hoos, that LI 00 was inadequate, and that it would be betterj to defer the matter until the Estimates' were under consideration. He also agreed with' the other member for Hokitika, that the members of the Council should individually initiate a movement for raising a relief fund by contributing their own subscriptions. No doubt all felt sorrow at the disaster, and the best mode of giving expression to that feeling was the practical one of giving help. Mr Hoos moved as an amendment— "That the sum which the Chairman be authorised to expend be L 250." Mr Robinson seconded the amendment. ■ ' • '".'"''

The Chairman would Wish the Council to accept the motion of the member for Arahura. It would be easy to increase the amount when the Estimates had been gone through. Besides, he believed that the General Government would do something in the matter. Although it,was Sunday when he telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary on the subject, he replied the same afternoon, sympathising with the sufferers, and forwarding, instructions to ]\tr O'Connor to make an inspection.

After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn, and the motion of- Mr Barff was, by leave, amended, by raising the amount to Ll6O. The motion as amended then passed without dissent. Some items in the Estimates were then passed, aDd after a. few unimportant motions, the Council was adjourned until Wednesday, the Chairman having to proceed to Greymouth to meet the Premier.