GREY COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2536, 7 August 1884, Page 2

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the Grey County Council was held at the County offices, Greymouth, last evening: present—Crs. Guinness (in the chair), Clifford, Taylor, Warren, Foley, Ryall, Marshall, M'Kechnie. The Argus reports :

The Chairman said that before proceeding with the business for which the meeting had been called, he would move a resolution expressing the Council's regret at the loss of the County Engineer, and of condolence with his widow in her sad bereavement. He did so with feelings of the deepest regret. Deceased had been in the employ of the Council for nearly eight year, and no one had greater opportunities of observing the way in which Mr Butler carried out his duties from the time he was appointed until he died. He was a most zealous, efficient, and painstakiug officer, and when he undertook anything it was an assurance that it would be carried out in a most thorough and satisfactory manner. He threw his heart and soul into his work, and put no value upon his own time and labor; and when work had to be done it was nothing for him to work from daylight to dark in order to get it out of hand.

The resolution was then carried, and also one directing that a copy of the resolution should be conveyed to Mrs Butler. The Chairman then tendered his resignation of the offico of Treasurer to the Council, and CV. ',V»a-«ii wus ap-

pointed Treasurer during the absence of the Chairman, while attending to his Parliamentary duties; traveling expenses to be deducted from the salary of the Chairman.

Cr. Foley moved that leave of absence be granted to the Chairman during the sessionof Parliament.—Seconded by Cr. M'Kechnie, and granted. The Chairman after paying a tribute to the ability and good qualities of Mr Higgins, -who had assisted Mr Butler for years, and who seemed to largely possess the industry and ability that distinguished that officer, moved thai be appointed to perform the duties devolving upon the late Mr Butler until such time as a permanent appointment was made.—Cr. Warren seconded, and said that he had often been told by Mr Butler that Mr Higgins was quite as equal to performing the duties as he was himself. Cr. Marshall bore similar testimony to the good qualities and professional skill of Mr Higgins.—Cr. Foley moved as an amendment that Mr Higgins be appointed permanently to the late Mr Butler's office.—The Chairman pointed out that it would be contrary to the spirit of the Counties Act to make such an important appointment without first advertising for applications for the office through the public press.—Cr. Foley then moved that the office be conferred upon Mr Higgins for six months, but this found no seconder.

Cr. Marshall moved that Mj Robert Paul be appointed assistant to Mr Higgins, pro tern, at a salary of £4 per week. Seconded by Cr. M'Kechnie, and carried.