COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1264, 17 August 1872, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[abridged from west coast times.] Thursday, August 15. tramway compensation.

Mr Robinson, who resumed the debate on this question, said he had moved the adjournment because he objected to the hurried manner in which it was sought to dispose of this matter. He strongly objected to dealing with the different claims under one resolution. The" tramways were undertaken under one guarantee from the Corporation of the County, and he contended that no moral liability existed. If. even there was a liability, it extended over seven years^ and 1 in a future of seven years, it was impossible to say what might happen in a new country like this to deprecate or enhance the value of the tramways. The liability could : only be an annual one, and he thought members would perceive that it was premature to deal with seven years' liability. If the Chairman's resolutions were carried it would have an ill result on tho finance of the County. He thought, also, that the inhabitants of the Nelson South- West Gold Fields would be most unwilling to be annexed to the County if the motion were passed, and they saw the rash manner in which the Council dealt with the waste lands of the County. Mr Bauff moved as an amendment — " That the question of compensation to the Hokitika and Greymouth, and to the Kanieri Tramway Companies be submitted to the General Government for decision, and that the Chairman, Messrs Button and Hoos be authorised to arrange with the Hau-hau Tramway Company for. the purchase of their line." Me Hoos' requested . th.it his name might be struck out both from the resolution and the amendment.

Mr Button said the tramway question had been before the Council for two years, and he thought a time h?d come when members ought to have some decided opinion upon it. He had made up

his mind that 8 per cent on their outlay was a just compensation to the Tramway Companies, and he thought they were lucky in getting that amount, Mr Robinson seconded Mr Barff 's amendment pro forma, for the purpose of continuing the discussion. He opposed the resolution on conscientious grounds. The member for Totara admitted that there was nothing brought forward to found a claim- upon, nor any evidence, and probably from his own inner consciousness valued the companies' losses.' The members of the Council were the trustees of the public estate, and he should require to be convinced -by arguments that there rested any responsibility upon I the Council in this matter. " Mr Button submitted that the amendment of the member for Ardhura had lapsed, as it was not seconded before he (Mr Button) spoke to the original motion. After a long discussion on the point of order raised, the Chairman decided that the amendment was not before the Council. Mr Fox seconded the amendment. The Council divided on the amendment. Ayes— Messrs Button, Robinson, Fox, Dungah, and Lahman. Noes — Messrs Ralfe, Barff, and Hoos. The amendment was therefore carried.