WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2360, 21 March 1884, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council met again on Wednesday evening; present—The Chairman (P. Dungan, Esq.), Messrs Hirter, GumSeddon, Rose, M‘Goldrick, M'Whirter, and Jack. The following is a continuation of the report of the business pertaining to this district:— STAFFORD CEMETERY. Mr Seddon moved—“ That in accordance with the request of the residents of Stafford, as expressed in their petition to the Council, the sum of £SO be voted to make necessary improvements to the Stafford cemetery. The money to be paid to the trustees on certificate being given by the County Engineer, that the works and improvements have been made.” After some discussion the resolution was carried, and the sum of £SO was voted to make the necessary improvements in the cemetery; the work to be let by tender. MIGNONETTE FLAT. Mr Seddon moved “That the County Engineer be instructed to make a track so as to connect the tramway at Shamrock Lead with the branch road in Dunedin Flat, thereby giving the residents of Dunedin Flat, Mignonette Flat, and Shamrock Flat, access to Dilltnan’s Town.” Mr Rose thought that it would be advisable to have a chart made of this flat. Mr Gumming also thought there were a great number of these traces required. Tracks were always being made for a shifting population. The County Chairman said these tracks were necessary for the real “ bone and sinew ” of the county. Mr M'Goldrick questioned whether any of the members except the Chairman and Mr Seddon did understand about these tracks. There was a perfect network of them. Mr Hirter thought Mr Seddon wanted to make a chess-board of the district. Perhaps a sketch map of Mignonette Flat might be useful. The motion was carried. GREENSTONE ROAD. Mr Seddon moved “That the County Engineer be authorised to report as to the probable cost of' raising the Greenstone road four feet, commencing at Stafford, and ending at the the Piper’s Flat bridge.”—Carried. COUNTY ENGINEER, Mr Seddon moved—“ That the County Chairman having in accordance with the resolution by the Council passed at the January meeting, ascertained and reported upon the salaries paid by the County Councils of Grey and Inangahua, to their respective County Engineers, this Council is therefore now in a position to finally deal with the question of appointing a County Engineer. It is therefore determined, Ist, That Thomas Kerr, Esq., be appointed engineer to the Westland County Council, the appointment to date from the Ist February, 1884. 2nd. That the salary be fixed at £350 per annum. 3rd That the engineer’s office be at Stafford. 4th That when called away to attend to county works and county business, a distance of not less than five miles from Stafford, that travelling allowance be paid to the County Engineer on the same scale as that paid by the General Government to their officers who hold similar positions and receive about the same salary.” Mr Grimmond seconded pro forma. Mr Jack moved an amendment, “That Mr Kerr’s salary be fixed at £4OO per annum, including travelling expenses, this an •. a_uu to take ef-

feet as from the Ist January, 1884, and that Mr Kerr make hia office in the County Chambers, Hokitika. Mr Hose seconded. Messrs M'Goldrick and Gumming supported the amendment, and Mr Hirter and the Chairman the motion. The resolution was carried on a division. Mr M'Whirter moved a further amendment. “ That Mr Kerr’s salary be fixed at .£3OO, and £125 travelling expenses.” Mr Seddon seconded. This motion was also carried. INSPECTOR OF VEHICLES. Mr Eose moved—“ That Mr Dale be appointed inspector of vehicles and hawkers’ licenses within the County at 15 per cent, on the license fees collected through his agency.” Seconded by Mr Seddon, and carried GENERAL RATE. The Chairman moved—“ That a general rate of three half-pence in the £ on the rateable value of property within the County, as set forth in the valuation rolls now in force be now made; said rate to be for the year ending 31st March, 1884, and to be payable in one sum on the 15th March, 1884,” Carried. STAFFORD AND ARAWATA CEMETERIES. The Chairman moved—“ That the Chairman be authorised to make the application to have set aside reserves for the Stafford and Arawata Cemeteries at the next meeting of the Waste Laud Board.”—Carried. piper’s flat road. The Chairman moved—“ That the County Engineer be instructed to put in proper repair the road leading from Piper’s Elat bridge to the Beach.”— Carried. BIG DAM TRACK. Mr M'Whirter moved—“ That tenders be invited by next meeting for construction of track from Big Dam to Goldsborough via the right hand branch of the Waimea Creek, as per Mr Kerr’s plans and specifications now on table.”—Carried, WAIMEA CREEK. The County Engineer was instructed to prepare plans and specifications to extend the cratework below the township of Goldsborougb, and make a cutting through the point of reef so as to turn the Waimea Creek; tenders be called for the work and dealt with by the Chairman and Mr Jack. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £I3OO were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.