WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2043, 16 March 1883, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the County Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday ; present—The Chairman, Messrs Cumming, Seddon, Jack, Rose, Hirter, Dungan, Grimmond, and M'Goldrick. We extract from the West Coast Tim js the report of the business having reference to this riding : CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from Mr Martin Morris, pointing out the necessiiy of having a culvert over his branch tail-race on the Greenstone road.—Received and referred to the Chairman. Letter from Mr J. Mulhearn, Goldsborough, applying for protection works at that place.—Referred to the Chairman and the Road Overseer. FINANCES. The Finance Committee reported that the sum of £6BB 4s remained unpaid from last month ; the bank overdraft was .£l3oo.—Report received. larrikin's road. Mr Seddon moved " That tenders be invited by next meeting for construction of dray road from Larrikin's road to Woods' tramway, as per plans and specifications now on table." Knowing the financial position of the Council, he would not have moved the resolution, unless it was absolutely necessary. The old read which supplied the miners with timber had been washed away. When the road was made it was made on sufferance. Minera now had to pay two shillings per 100 on timber and veiy heavily for blocks. The people were shifting on to the new line of road. About eighty puraons would be benefited by it. He would mention

that objection had been taken to this proposal by some business people at Dillman's but he understood that this had been lately withdrawn. Mr Dungan seconded. This part of the country urgently needed a road. Miners were compelled to wash away the old road, and now had no means of getting timber. About 60 chains would meet all demands. Mr M'Goldrick asked if this road could be on the south side of the workings. Mr Seddon replied that it was. Mr M'Goldrick said the road was absolutely necessary for the miners, and he would heartily support the motion. Mr Ciimniing was interested in the advancement of the mining industry, yet in the face of the financial position of the Council he thought it would be wise to hold over the motion for a meeting or two. Mr Rose said that the mover did not say what timber was required. In many other parts of the district the miners had to carry timber on their shoulders. Why would not a pack track be sufficient? The Chairman said the position was that the people living on the old track had to remove, bnt they had no place to remove to. All the timber and blocks would have to be brought along the new road. When the claims were opened up, timber would not be got through at all unless the roads were made. Mr Rose asked that the counter petition against the road be read, which was done. Mr Hirter said, in his opinion, if the new road were made, the Council would have to pay compensation. There was no necessity for hurry in the matter. Before tenders were called, the Waste Lands Board should be asked to proclaim a road reserve. Mr Jack said that plans and specifications not having been received yet, the motion could not be put. He moved au amendment, that if there were any claims for compensation, no tenders be called. Mr Hirter objected to tenders being called for until the plans and specifications were on the table. Mr M'Goldrick did not see how the motion could be put in the absence of the plans. There was nothing before the meeting. The Chairman ruled the motion out of order, as the plans had not arrived. dillman's town road. Mr Dungan moved, " That the widening of the Dillman's Town road, opposite Yortt's residence, be carried out as recommended in Mr Kerr's report, cost not exceed .£15." The engineer reported on this matter in January last. The road was a portion of the mail coach roid. There was a petition in December last from the residents, asking that the work might be done. Mr M'Goldrick thought this work should be done. He seconded the motion. Messrs Hirter and Rose opposed the motion, as there were portions of the district without any tracks at all. Mr dimming supported the motion, which was agreed to. STAFFORD PROTECTIVE WORKS. Mr Seddon moved, " That Mr Kerr, road overseer, be authorised to employ the day labour man to repair the creek protective works at Stafford, coat not to exceed £5." Carried. KUMARA SLUDGE-CHANNEL. Mr Seddou moved, " That this Council urge on the- Government the absolute and immediate necessity of taking steps to widen the Kuraara Sludge-channel." Mr Dungan seconded the motion, whioh was carried. KUMARA BEACH ROAD. Mr Seddon moved, " That the Government be again requested to construct the road from Kumara to the Ocean Beach, or hand the vote taken for this work over to the Council to carry out, before said vote lapses. Also, that steps be taken to have the land on each side of the said road thrown open for leasing under the Act of 1882." Carried. COUNTY RATES AND FEES. Mr Hirter moved, by leave, " That the luspector be requested to have all rates and fees collected by May 30th next." In seven months the Inspector had only collected £327 out of £1200.. Mr Rose hoped the Council would not go on barging about the collector as they were doing, like a lot of old women. Why did they not advance him money and instruct him to tako proceedings against defaulters. The Council was more in fault than the collector. The Inspector's report was read. Mr M'Goldrick agreed with Mr Rose. The Inspector was awaiting instructions from the Chairman. The motion was carried.

VALUATION APPEAL. Mr Seddon moved, " That this Council do object to the valuations made by valuers under the Property Tax Act and Eating Act 1882-1883, and that objections be lodged in accordance with law. That the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the County Chairman, and the mover be authorised to draw up the details of the objections and take the necessary steps to procure evidence and appear in support of the Council's objections." He understood that the valuer had set down nothing for Crown lands. Carried without dissent. larrikin's road. Mr Seddon moved, and Mr Dungan seconded " That the question of the construction of the road from Larrikins to Woods' tram via Mignonette Flat, together with the petitions for and against the same, be referred to the Public Works Committee, and that the committee be authorised to visit the proposed road, and report at next meeting." —Carried. financial. Accounts to the amount of £2B4= were passed for payment. The Council adjourned at ten p.m. sine die.