COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1249, 31 July 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[condensed from the west coast times. J Monday, July 29. petition. Mr Fox presented a petition' from licensed victuallers residing in Greymouth, praying that the Council recommend the repeal of the present Public House Ordinance and that the Ordinance proposed by Mr White in the last session of the Assembly be substituted for it. The petition was read and received. PROPOSED NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT. Mr Hoos, in Committee, moved — " That the Chairman of the County Council be ex officio a member of the County Council, having no original, bnt a casting-vote. " — Mr B rjTiqN seconded the motion, and after some discussion it passed without disßent. — On the motion of Mr Hoos, it was resolved—" That the members of the County Council and the Chairman, be elected for three years." It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Button— "That the County Chairman hold office until the election of his successor." The alterations in the constitution of Road Boards, . proposed by Mr Button, were then discussed. On the motion—" That the Chairman be elected by the electors qualified to vote for members of Road Boards," considerable discussion ensued, and Mr Button withdrew hiß- motion. Mr Barff moved—" That each Bp.ad Board district be divided into wards, to ensure fair and equal representation throughout the various districts." The motion was seconded by Mr Hops,; and passed, without dissent. The following resolutions were then passed :—" That the Road Boards have power to levy rates not exceeding. Is in the pound (general), and Is (special), in any one year, without requiring the sanction of the County Chairman." " That appeals from assessment shall be to a Resident Magistrate or to two Justices.?' '»' That bye-laws for computing the annual value of mining properties for purposes oi assessment be made by the Qounty Council.". "That no rates be recoverable after the expiration of twelve months from the time such rate become payable." " That in the event of subscriptions being promised in writing towards carrying out particular work or works, the same shall be recoverable at law." Mr Button moved the folio wing additional resolution— "Thatrates shall be recoverable in any Civil Courts

haviug jurisdiction, and when recovered in the Resident Magistrate's Court, there shall be power of appeal; with the consent of the magistrate, even in cases when the amount be less than L 5." The motion was cau-ied on a division :— Ayes, 4 ; Noes, 3. Messrs Button, Bonar, Barff. , and Hoos voted with the Ayes; and Messrs Robinson, Dungan, and Lahman, with' the Noes, '.■:'" .">'.'* On the motion of Mr Hoos, the resolutions agreed to in Committee were ordered to.be printed. :