WESTIAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1131, 14 May 1880, Page 2

WESTIAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following business in connection with this district was transacted at the meeting of the County Council on Wednesday last, at Hokitika:— PETITION'S. Mr M'Whirter, by leave of the Council, presented a petition from about two hundred miners, praying that the Council would not widen the track between Dillman's and Larrikin's.—Received. Mr Seddon presented a petition praying for a subsidy for Noonan'gfcferrv.—Received. RESERVES AND TRACES. Mr Seddon moved, "That it be an instruction to the County Clerk to see that all plans for tracks intended to be constructed by the Council be laid before the Waste Lands Board and reserve made for same; also that all tracks already con-

Structed but not reserved be at once made and steps taken under the Public Works Act to have same properly vested." The motion was carried. KUMARA BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Mr Seddon moved, "That the sum of £25 be voted to the Kumara Benevolent Society to be expended by them in granting relief to persons residing in the Kumara Warden s district, and in the County of Westland." The Hokitika Benevolent Society had a large sum to their credit, and would not probably apply for their full subsidy. Probably the sum he asked for might be deducted from the Hokitika subsidy. Mr Sandle seconded and supported the resolution. Mr Grimmond also supported the resolution, but objected to a deduction being made from the amount voted to the Bokitika Society. All these bodies did a great deal of good. The resolution was carried without dissent. KUMABA fiOSPITAt. Mr Seddon moved " That the sum of £SO be voted to the Kumara Hospital Committee, to be applied by them to pay the debt to the Hokitika Hospital Committee." This debt had been accumulating from time to time for patients sent down to the Westland Hospital, before the Kumara Hospital was efficiently ■equipped. An unpleasant feeling had arisen between the Hokitika and Kumara Hospital Committees in consequence of the inability of the latter to pay this debt. He did not wish to make this vote a precedent ; it was exceptional. He hoped the resolution would be carried. Mr M' Whirter seconded. The Kumara Hospital was entitled to this £SO. He was surprised the Council had voted £IOO to the Hokitika Benevolent Society. This might be recsinded, and the £SO could thus be obtained. Mr Hirter said, it seemed to him improper to overthrow the recommendations of the Charitable Aid Committee which had been accepted by the Council. If the motion were carried, a bad precedent ■would be established. The Council were not in a position to vote this money. Mr Sandle said the Council had a bounden right to vote the money. The matter was entirely exceptional. Mr Dale could not support the motion. The Kumara Borough Council ought to be asked to vote half the money. He moved an amendment, that the sum of £25 be voted by the Council, provided that the Xumata Borough Council pay an equal amount. Mr M'Goldrick seconded Mr Dale's amendment, which was a fair one. He «did not believe in these small hospitals. Most of the bad cases were sent to Hokitika. Mr Grimmond felt constrained to vote against both motion and amendment. The Kumara Hospital obtained £SO a year from the local Borough Council, while the Hokitika Borough Council paid £4OO, and the Ross Borough Council, £2OO a year. It was a bad precedent to vote money to a Charitable Institution which overran the ■constable, and withhold it from a body "which conducted its management effectually.

Aftepconaiderable discussion, the amendment was carried,- Mr Grimmond dissenting.

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