COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1258, 10 August 1872, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL.

("abridged from west coast times.] j Wednesday, August -7. '■ tramway compensation. On the motion of the Chairman the Council went into Committee for the further consideration of the amount of com-! pensation to be giren to Tramway Cera-: panics, and to consider the following mo' tion :— "That the Council recommends that a decisive offer should be made to the various Tramway Companies claiming compensation to pay them 8 per cent interest for the remaining term of protection on the capital actually expended for the construction of their respective lines, inpayment in full of the claims against the County Government derived from the regulations passed by this Council on the — March, 1869. The payment to be made in land, and depending on the consent of His Excellency tHe Governor." The Chairman said he based his resolution solely on Clause 5, and considered 8 per cent on the capital expended in the construction of the line sufficient. He had altered his motion so as to make no deduction for an immediate payment, although strictly speaking the Council could demand such a deduction. Mr Robinson moved as an amendment — " That as a guarantee of 8 per cent on the expended capital of the various Tramway Companies, is, or should be an annual charge, this Council does not j think, it incumbent upon it now to make provision for the whole term of seven yoars." ' Mr Fox seconded the amendment. Mr Robinson's amendment was, after discussion, put and negatived on the voices. — Mr Hoos then moved as an amendment, and Mr Barff seconded — " That the case of each Tramway Company be taken separately." After some little discussion, the amendment was put and negatired on a division. — Mr Hoos then moved — "That progress be repotted, with leave to sit again," which was carried on a division, and the Council adjourned. TnuRSDAY, August 8. TRAMWAY COMPENSATION. The Chairman said he would allow this matter to lapse, as he intended to bring forward a motion on the subject, of which he gave notice :— " That this Council agrees, in order to meet the claims for compensation of the various Tramway Companies, derived from the Tramway Regulations, gazetted on the 24th March, 1869, to pay and as payment in full of all demands to the Hokitika and Groymouth and the Hokitika and Kanieri Tramway Companies, eight per cent, interest for the remaining term of protection on the construction of their respective lines. The payment to be made in land, and dependant on the consent of his Excellency the Governor ; and further, that the Chairman and Messrs Button and Hoos, ' be authorised to obtain from the Hau-Hau Tramway Company an offer, stating at what price and terms they are willing to sell their line and rolling stock to the County Government."" THE ESTIMATES. On the motion of the Chairman, the Council went into Committee for the farther consideration of the probable expenditure tor the ensuing six months. The following items were passed withx out amendment : — Mining and Survey Branch.— Salaries : One surveyor and draftsman, L 17 6; one do do, L 17 5; one do do, L 15 0; one assistant surveyor, L 125. The item " survey labor," was in* creased from L6OO to L 700; "travelling expenses," were increased from L6O to L 76; and "incidentals," from LSO to LSO. The following items were passed without amendment : — : Engineering Branch.- -Salaries County Engineer, LI 75 ; messenger Tor department, L 75 ; clerical assistance, LSO. The items under the head of Harbor Department were passed as follows, the - vote for the salary of the Harbor-master, Greymouth, being increased to Ll5O, in Consequence of no provision having been made for his salary by the Nelson Go vernment : — Harbor-master, Westland, L 162 19s; do, Greymouth, L 15 0; do, Okarito, L 7 5; signalman, Hokitika, L 96; do, Greymouth, L4B ; boatman, Hokitika, LOO ; hire of boatmen, L3O ; materials and repairs, LIOO. The following items were passed, the vote for Education being increased to LSOO. . Education.— Grant to schools, L 60 0; expenses of Board, LBO. Total, LSBO. Weights. and Measures.— Salary of Inspector, Ll 50; Contingent expenses, L4O. Total, LIOO. Charitable. — Lunatic Asylums— Salaries —Inspector of 1 Lunatics, L 25; County Surgeon, L 100; Keeper and Chief Attendant, L 137 10s; three assistants, L 276; one do, L 35 ; matron (five months), L3l ss ; female atttendant (five months), L 27 Is 8d ; rations, L 25 0; bedding and clothing, L 7 5; medical comforts, L 35 ; utensils, tools, and materials, LSO ; incidental expenses, Lls ; hospital committee, female word, two months, Ll2O ; maintenance lunatics Christchurch, L 17 1125! Total, L 1348 8s Bd. . Hospitals.— Subsidy, Hokitika, L 140 0; do, Greymonth, L 40 0; Totara, L 250. Total, L 2050. The following items were passed, the Vote for aid to destitutes beinp increased from L 125 to Ll5O. ' Charitable Aid.— Aid todestitutes, L 150; Benevolent Institute, LSO, The following items were passed, the vote for the Court House, Waimea, being reduced from L2OO to Ll5O. . Buildings— Lunatic Asylum, L 110 0; Court-house, Maori Gaily, L 250; do, Arahura district, L 15 0; female ward, Greymoutb, LIOO ; shed for cutting wood, Hokitika Gaol, L4O ; powder magazine, L 17 5; maintenance aud repairs, L 40 0: contingencies, LOO. Progress was ordered to be, reported, and the Council resumed. ; i FEES AND FINES. Mr Barff moTed— " That this Council being aware that it is the intention of tli c

Government to introduce a Bill ,to consolidate and amend, the laws relating to the Gold Fields of the Colony, suggests that provision should be made that in all cases 'where a Warden is acting in the capacity of a Resident Magistrate, the fees and fines shonld be paid into Provincial or County Revenue?' He said if his resolution were passed by.the Council and a copy of it fb* warded to bur members* » the House of Assembly; he thought they would have sufficient influence to get a clause inserted into the' new pill before the House. It was most unjust that the General Government should avail itself of ' the 'service of the County officers, and allow tho County to pay all the costs. Mr Robinson seconded the motion which was, carried unanimously.

The Eye is one of the most delicate organs of nature. From the fear of appearing ancient, many persons will refrain from artificial aid when really needful. It is absurd, and only aggravates the defect and causes disease of the optic nerve, which may become chronic, and 'finally result in premature blindness. The OPTCMKTRic treatment not only remedies defective vision, but it has frequently restored the eyes to their proper functions from a state of comparative Iblindness. It is the only accurate method known to modern science for detecting, the several affections of the eyesight, which comprise Myopia, Presbyopia, Diplopia, HesieralbMAj and Chromatopseudopsis. The various eye dieases, such as Amaurosis, Cataract, Ophthalmia, Staphyloma, Specs, or j Films on the eye, and any other defects, can only be detected by Mr SOLOMON'S combination of Optomktric and Ophthalmoscofic observations. There exists an erroneous idea, that when once glasses are adopted, they can't be discontinued. Such is only a fact when non-professionals are resorted to. Donders, who is acknowledged to be the highest authority on the science of optics, says in his treatise on the refraction of the eye :— "So far from short-si»h;t<Bd-ness improving in advanced life, as is popularly believed, it is too frequently a progressive affection, and every progressive Myopia is threatening with respect to the future, inasmuch that if not checked in due season by the aid of Suitable Glasses, the vision will be irrevocably lost. Spectacles or eyeglasses, if injudiciously selected, usually aggravate the evil they are intended to remedy. Therefore, an oculist of reputation should always, if possible, be consulted as to the choice of them." He further states, in reference to long-sighted people, "that Presbyopia, or weakness of sight, is as natural a concomitant of advanced life as grey hairs or wrinkles. It is occasinnally met with in young persons, and maybe the precursor of Amaurosis, hence such cases should be carefully watched, and the advice of an oculist regarding . the choice of spectacles is well worth his fee." Mr S. will shortly issue a small treatise on the different defects and diseases of the eye. Mt SOLOMON, the inventor of the Oftometric apparatus, is the only man in existence of whom the warranted pure Brazilian Pebble Spectacles and Eye Glasses, optometrically guaranteed to the precise focus nf sight, are obtainable. Mr SOLOMON'S Consulting Rooms are at Johnson's* Private Family Hotel, Mackay street.— -Advt.