COUNTY COCJNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1441, 14 March 1873, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Makch 12. the hokitika and greymodth tramway company. Mr Cassius moved — "That the Chairman be requested to take the necessary steps to have the claims of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company referred to arbitration." He said that on the last occasion when he had brought forward a motion of a somewhat similar nature, the Chairman did not ask him (Mr Cassius) for his vote, deeming him interested in the question. His colleague for Hokitika (Mr Bonar) and the member for Greymouth (Mr Kennedy) had absented themselves, feeling a delicacy in voting upon a question in which they considered themselves remotely interested. But in the shape which, he now proposed the question there could be no such feeling The only argument he had heard against referring the matter to arbitration was that the awards in such cases always went heavily against a Government. But if the Government's case were a good one there could be no risk in submitting to the judgment of persons unconnected with the County, and entirely unbiassed one way or the other. With respect to the 69th clause of the County of Westland Act, it had no application whatever to the question in its present form, which merely asked that steps be taken to have a dispute settled. He should therefore claim his right to vote upon it, and he trusted that the members who were interested in the general question would do so likewise. He felt convinced that reference to arbitration was the only feasible mode of the dilemma, and the sooner it was done the better it would be for all connected with it. It should be remembered that repudiation would not assist the County jn any works in future. It might occur at any moment that a new district might be opened, and the County being still in circumstances such as at present, private enterprise would be required. But what likelihood was there of obtaining it if the County were to adopt repudiation ? At all events, for the sake or honor of the County there should be no obstacle placed in the way of getting the question settled one way or another. Mr Barff seconded the motion. The Chairman thought that it was very questionable whether' the motion could be dealt with by the Council, seeing that one substantially the same had been determined during the present session. On the 24th February, the Council negatived a motion, " That in the opinion of this Council the settlement of the claims of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company be referred to arbitration." The present motion was, "That fhe Chairman take the necessary steps to have the claims of the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company referred to arbitration." It seemed to him that he motions were substantially the same, '•mt he would take the opinion of the Council on the point. Mr Kennedy thought there wai a considerable variance in the resolutions, chough the end sought for was substantially the same. He thought, however, nhat the variance was quite as great as would be required to meet the point of order raised. After some further discussi'n, Mr Bonar. suggested that the motion be withdrawn, with the view of tabling a motion to rescind the negative vote passed on the 24th February. Mr. Cassius accepted the suggestion, and the motion was by leave withdrawn. COUNTY OF "WESTLAND ACT. Mr Cassicts moved — "That the Report of the Select Committee on the amendments necessary in 'The County of Westland Act, 1868,' be adopted." Mr Bonar seconded tbe motion. After some prolonged discussion on the first clause, referring to the County election of the Chairman of the Council, the Council went into Committee on the motion of the Chairman. The following clauses were carried without amendment. 1., That the Chairman, of the Council be elected by the persons qualified to vote for members of the Council either from the members elected or from the general body of electors. 2 n That the Chairman be, ex-qigoioj a member of the Council, having no oiigitial, but a casting vote,

3. That the term for which the Chairman and members of the County Council shall be elected, be three years. 4. That the Chairman of the County Council hold his office until the appointment of his successor. On tbe fifth clause— "That the Charrnian be empowered to appoint a deputy during his (the Chairman's) unavoidable absence, not to exceed 100 days in one year," a long, discussion ensued on an amendment moved to insert the words "with the advice of the Council." The Committee divided on the amendment — Ayes : Messrs Smith, Cuming, O'Donovan, Dungan, Barff. Noes : Messrs Bonar, Kennedy, Cassius, and Robinson. The amendment was, therefore, carried, and the clause passed as follows : — 5. That the Chairman be empowered to ! appoint a Deputy, with the advice of the Council, during his unavoidable absence, not exceeding 100 days in' one year. 6. That each Road Board be divided into wards, to ensure a fair distribution of representatives.