COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1266, 20 August 1872, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[abridged from west coast times.] Friday, August 16. ROADS.

Mr Hoos moved— "That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable, and this Council urges upon the General Government, to make provisions during the present session of the General Assembly, in accordance with a resolution^passed by this Council on the 26th of July, 1872, for the under-mentioned works, estimated to cost L 40,00 A dray road from the 32nd mile-post, Christchurch road, to the boundary of the County at Lady Lake, being a portion of the proponed road via Bell Hill to Ahaura— distance 11 miles. 2. A dray road from Maori Gully to Marsden via Italians, Maori Creek, and Clifton— distance 12 miles. 3. A dray road from Redman's to Waitaha, being a continuation of through main road— distance eight miles; and 4. A dray road from Kokatahi township to Totara, passing between Kaiterangi and Wooded Pyramid to main line of road, Totara— distance 14 miles." Mr Bonar seconded the motion. After some discussion it was agreed to divide the resolution into four parts, and consider each part separately. The Chairman said that the County was not in a position to ask the General Government to make these roads. The cost would probably be nearer L 60,000 than L 40,000, and, with the interest on the outlay and the cost of maintenance, the County would have to pay something like L3OOO per annum. The Council should endeavor to open up communication with the Grey Valley, which the

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public required, fend not try ix> have thrte or four roads made at once. Even if the General Government felt disposed to make them, the County could not afford Mr Barff moved as an amendment, that part one.be struck out, and to substitute the following—' 1 That this Couuoil begs to impress upon the General Government the necessity of opening up more direct means of communication between Hokitika and Reefton, and ia of opinion that the construction of a dhiy road frpin Greenstone to Beefton, via Bell Hill, would not only open up a large extent, of payable auriferous ground, but would also supply the necessary means of communication between Hokitika and the Inangahua. " i Mr Fox was happy, to be able to sup- - port the member for Arahura for once. He was frequently opposed tothat gentleman's views, but on.thirrooasioo would cordially endorse every word he had uttered. He seconded the amendment Mr Dukoan also supported the amendment. He had no* doubt the mover of the resolution had a.yery good motive in bringing it forward, but he (Mr Dungan) thought it hardly feasible. He could not support the construction of a road from the Christchurch road, to Bell Hill iv face of the amendment, which he considered advocated a far better route, and one which would open up a golden country. ....... Mr KOBINBON did not think members were in a position to form an opinion on the merits of the rival mutes without a report from one of the County officers on the subject. The amendment was negatived on a division — Messrs Barff, Dungan, Fox, and ♦he Chairman voting for it, and Messrs Bonar, Button, Robinson, Kalfe, and Hoos against it. Mr Roblvsojt moved, as another: amendment—*/ That this Council desires to draw the attention of the General Government to a resolution carried on the 25th August, 1871, having reference to the construction of a dray road from the Kanieri to the Christchurch road." The amendment was not seconded. The motion was then put and carried, Messrs Bonar, Button, Robinson, Balfe, And Hoos voting for it, and the Chairman, Messrs Fox, Dungan, and Barff against it. Mr Hoos having, by leave, withdrawn . the second- part of his motion, then mov«f the third part, as to the construction of a dray road from Redman's to Waitaha. The motion passed without dissent. ■ Ms Hooey by permission of the Council, withdrew, part 4 of bis resolutoin. • • - ■ ■ miRZFSVI SADDLE TRACK. : 'Mr- BoßuraoN moved— "That ■ jthe ' report of the committee on the necessity of repairing the track to the Hurunui Saddle be adopted." Mr Fox seconded the motion, which , was passed without dissent maimenance of the christchuboh BOAD. The Chaibman moved— "That in order to comply wirh section 117 of ( The County of Westland Act, 1868/ the Chairman be requested to obtain from the present contractor for the maintenance of the Christchurch road, an offer for (1) the maintenance, of said road for three months from Ist January, 1873, until 31st March, 1873 ; (2) the maintenance of said road for: a term of three years, from Ist January, 1873, until 3lst December, 1875, together with the construction of six miles of new road/ and also the necessary foot-bridees, in accordance with the specification of the County Engineer. " Mr Bonar suggested that the motion be amended, so as to read that an offer be obtained from the present contractor for the maintenance of the road from the Ist January next until the 31st July, being a period of seven months. This would give the Council time to call for fresh tenders. The motion, as amended on Mr Bonar's suggestion, and with the understanding tbs,t the, offer should include the construction of a mile and a half of new road, was carried on the voices: On the suggestion of Mr Bonar, and by leave of the Council, the Chairman withdrewrthe second part of his motion.