COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1410, 6 February 1873, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[condensed pjromavest coast times.] Tuesday, February 4. the brunner railway. The Chairman laid on the table the following telegram he had just received from the Colonial Secretary on this subject :— "Will forward a statement of general conditions as soon as possible. They are nearly the same as those originally agreed upon with the Superintendent of Nelson, and which have been published. Only difference is reduction of minimum quantity of coal to be raised to thirty thousand tons. Construction of railway remains entirely in hands of Colonial Government. —John Hall." sale op marsden township. Mr Dungan asked — " What steps have been taken for the sale of the Marsden township, in the New River district ?" The Chairman said that there were some preliminary steps required before the sale could be ordered, but these were now got over, and the sale of the township would be held very shortly. SLAUGHTERING REGULATIONS. MrßoNAßasked— " Whether the Chairman intends taking any steps to proclaim Slaughtering Districts under the Slaughter House Ordinance of 1847 V The Chairman said that he intended to recommend that the Boroughs.of Hokitika and Greymouth, and the several Road Board Districts be proclaimed Slaughtering Districts under the Ordinance referred to. ROAD PROM GREYMOUTH TO OMOTUMOTU. Mr Smith moved— "That it is the opinion (of this Council that in order to make the main road from Greyraouth to Reef ton available, it is necessary that immediate steps be taken to widen the lately constructed road between Greymouth and Omotumotu Bridge. The same to be paid

for out of the balance of the L 25,000 voted to Westland under the 'Public Works and Immigration Act, 1872.' " This was, he said, a main road leading from Greymouth to the Arnold. The road, owing to its narrowness, was unfit for traffic, and was getting worse every day. Originally it had been laid out at a width of 16ft, but Mr Reeves reduced it, as he did the Ross road, to 10ft. One of the consequences of the narrowness of the road was that it had sharper angles than would have been the case had the road been wider, apd traffic by heavy waggons! was thereby impeded, if not altogether prevented. It happened that most of -the traffic on the road was conducted by heavy waggons, and many accidents occurred in consequence of the condition of the road. There was a precedent for his motion in what had taken place in regard to the Kanieri and Rosa road, and he firmly believed it would be found more economical to widen the road now than to make the repairs which its narrowness would render absolutely necessary. Mr Kennedy secohied the motion, admitting, however, that were not the work so urgent he would not have supported its being brought before the Council under present circumstances. Previously to the road being opened, the traffic had been conducted by boats, but since then the traffic had been diverted, and the road was now very much used. Mr Bonar suggested that the question be referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr Cuming could not but admire the tactics of th.6 members for Greymouth. Evidently they intended to get the lion's share of what was left of the money allocated to the County under the Public Works and Immigration Act. He thought the Grey members might give a chance to other districts. , Still, he joined in the suggestion of the member for Hokitika (Mr Bonar), and recommended the reference of the matter to the Public Works Committee. Mr Smith accepted the suggestion of the member for Hokitika (Mr Bonar), and by leave of the Council, the question was referred to the Public Works Committee. THE GREENSTONE TOWNSHIP. Mr Dungan moved — " That in the opinion of this Council, it is highly desirable that action be at once taken to consider the prayer of the petitions of the miners and business people of the. Greenstone township, relative to the prohibition of- business licenses being granted for the future in the old township." He detailed at considerable length the steps which had been taken in the previous session of the Council to induce the residents on the old township to remove, and stated that the non-compliance of the residents was occasioning much vexation and impeding mining operations. Mr Cassius seconded the motion Mr Kennedy would point out thai business licenses were not issued for anj particular section, and that therefore il would not be possible to effect the objeci of the mover in the way he proposed. A little coercion might perhaps be advantageously applied, but it would be useless to attempt to apply it in the way pro posed by the member for Paroa. The Chairman said that it would b< useless to attempt as a remedy for th< grievance, the refusal of business licenses though some g«od might be done by re fusing to grant spirit licenses on the ol( -w » nyiup." x-ne~saie oirtne new^io-imsnij would also have some effect, and those who refrained from applying in tim< would only have themsalves to blame i they did not get eligible frontages. Then was also the 10th clause of the " Golc Fields Act, 1866," which might be verj effectually applied in reserving the old township from occupation under that Act, Mr Bonar concurred in what had f aller from the Chairman, and advised the withdrawal of the motion. Mr Dungan accepted the suggestion, and the motion was by leave withdrawn.