WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1923, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY’,' MAY 23rd. The Council met at noon. There were present—Messrs W. Jeffries (Chair), T. R. Chesterman, E. A. Wells, J. A. Murdoch, B. Ward, T. W. Duff, M. Keenan, J. Grimmond, and W. Searle. Mr Evans took tbo chair and read the Returning Officer’s ropoitt of the election of members. He then invited nominations for the position of Chairman. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Murdoch nominated Air Duff. . Air Ward nominated Air Jeffries. Mr Ward said his reason for nominating Air Jeffries for a second term was that Air Jeffries had shown a very efficient and zealous interest in the work of the Council. This year was to be a very important cue and inelud ed the opening of the Exhibition in which he had taken a great interest. Air Chesterman nominated Air Alurdocli, who declined to accept nomination. 11c pointed out in reply to Air AYard that only on one occasion had a Councillor accepted nomination for a second time.

Air Searle nominated Mr Grimmond. Air Grimmond said he had been identified with the County Council for a long period of years. Knowing the pressing events that were coining along he accepted nomination.

The voting was as follows: For Mr Duff: —Ayes—Messrs Chcsterman, Wells, Grimmond, Murdoch, Duff. . Xups—Messrs Keenan, Searle, AY aid, Jeffries. 5-4.

For Air Jeffries: -Ayes-Mcssrs Keenan, Searle, AYard, .leftvies. Noes—Alessrs Chesterman, AA’clls, Grinimoud, Murdoch, Duff. 4-o. For Air Grimmond:— Ayes—Alessrs Searle, Griininond, Alurdoeh. N„cs—Alessrs Chesterman, Keenan, AVells, AYard, Duff, Jeffries.—3-6. Af r T. AY. Duff was declared elected and took the chair. Air T. AY. Duff thanked members very heartily for having elected him again as Chairman. He was the oldest member having sat at the table for 21 years. He thanked them hoartil for again having placed him in the very responsible position of Chairman. With the support of members be trusted tliev would have a successful year He conveyed a hearty welcome to the three new members. Air Grimmond had been there before, while the other members had their spurs to win. Ho moved a hearty vote of thanks to Alessrs Alorcl and Chinn the retiring members (a similar vote of thanks was passed at last meeting to Air Ritclne). Seconded by Air AAells. Mr Jeffries said at all times he would give every assistance and support to the Chairman and congratulated Air Duff on his selection. lion J Griininond promised every possible assistance to the Chairman and the Council, both at the table and in his other sphere of influence. Mr Alurdoeh congratulated Air Dull on his appointment to the chair, ioi the fourth time. He felt the year in front was going to he a very strenuous one and the Chairman will require to do well. He felt the financial position of the Council was not- salisfactorv. lie felt the finances had been drifting of late, lie referred at some length to the present position, pointitijr out that the rates had been increased from 0 farthings to nine, and then reduced to 8 and this year to 7. It had been said that the reason why the rate had not been reduced had been on account of the handing over of the main road, hut this had been met bv a Government grant. He was not going to be satisfied with any appointment- except a judge of the Supreme Court to decide on (he question of royalties. There had been a financial drift and that must bo stopped. He promised every support in the Chairman.

The motion was then agreed to. Mr Duff said with the assistance so readily promised by Councillors "the year would lie a successful one. Replying to Mr Murdoch’s remarks he said they would be-an incentive to members to take care of the finances. The maintenance of the main roads meant a very heavy drain of the finances in spite of the grant of £IOOO made by the authorities. He had been pleased to see that a Royal Commission had been set up to deal with the royalties question and he trusted to have the able assistance of Mr Murdoch in placing the Council’s position ably before the Commission. Mr Ward was somewhat surprised to hear Mr Murdoch speak in such a new strain, lie had never soon him in such a bad humor. While Mr Murdoch had been .sitting at the table they had always paid every respect to his utterances. Mr Ward had lieen surprised at his statements on the finances and his castigation of his colleagues. He could not explain why to-day this Councillor had taken up this attitude. Mr Ward said he felt that no set of Councillors could have do no better than those who had sat the table for the last 2} years. Mr Grinimond said Mr Murdoch's statement appeared to him to he serious if not alarming, and in view of what he had said they would have to look oarefullv into the finances. He hoped that in the future they would stop taking up further liabilities. Mr Duff moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman for his past services. He had had a very busy year and had carried through bis efforts very successfully. Seconded by Mr Che storm a n who appreciated the excellent services rendered during the year. Mr Wells supported, congratulating Mr Jeffries on an excellent year of service.

The motion was agreed to. Mr Murdoch moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the Clerk and staff at their services during the past year. Seconded by Mr Grimmond and carried. The Council then rose.

1876 John McWhirtei 1877 .... ... H. L. Robinson 1878 .... J. Grimmond 1879 .... John Lang 1880 .... R. J. Seddon 1881 .... P. Dungan 1832 .... John MeWhiiter 1883 ... P. Dungan 1884 .... ... J. Grimmond 1885 .... James Clarke 1886 .... J. M. McGoldriclt 1887 .... ... McL. IV. Jack 1888 .... ... J. -M. McGoldrick 1389 .... A. Cumming 1890 .... .... John MclVhirtcr 1891 .... .. John MclVliirter 1892 .... ... Thos Daly 1S93 .... John Staines 1894 .... .. J. Grimmond 1895 .... Jns P. Byrne 1896 .... John Staines 1397 .... A. Cumming 1898 .... ... P. Dungan 1899 .... Jas. F. Byruo 1900 .... .. L. Northcroft 1901 .... . T. V. Byrne 1902 .... A. Clifton 1903 .... J. Grimmond 1904 .... ... T. 17. Duff 1905 .... T. J. MeGuigan 1906 .... T. V. Byrne 1907 .... ... T. 17. Bruco 1903 .... S. G. Ferguson 1909 .... J. A. Murdoch 1910 .... T. 17. Duff 1911 .... 1912 .... J. Grimmond 1913 .... S. G. Ferguson 1914 .... A. Clifton 1915 .... J. A. Murdoch 1916 .... H. Norman 1917 .... 1918 .... T. 17. Duff 1919 .... 1920 .... J. A. Murdoch 1921 .... 1922 .... 17. Jeffries 1923 .... T. 17. Duff