WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2583, 15 December 1884, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, December 10. The Council resumed afc half-past Beven o'clock iu the evening; present— The Chairman (J. Grimmond, Esq.), Messis Dungan, Jack, Spence, Claike, M'Goldrick, Seddon, M'Whirfcer, and Daly. The following is the conclusion of the report of the proceedings pertaining to this part of the county : HORSE AND DRAY HIRE. Mr Dungan moved—" That tenders be invited by next meeting for supplying horses and drays wanted in the Arahura, Kanieri, and Totara districts for the ensuing twelve months." Mr Seddon seconded the motion. Mr M'Goldrick referred to the action of the old council in rejecting the lowest tender for dray hire. He hoped this time there would be some specifications drawn up. Mr Dungan did not understand the hist speaker. The tenders that gentleman had spoken of were referred to the County Engineer. The motion was carried on the voices. LOOPLINE TRACK. Mr Seddon moved—" That specifications and plans bo prepared by next meeting for the construction of a track from Larrikins to the Loopline road, afc the Government dam, said work being subsidised by the Government under (he vote for tracks and works on goidfields." Uamud.

KUMARA TO BEACH ROAD. Mr Seddon moved County Secretary write the Government requesting that the vote of one thousand pounds for the construction of the road, Kumara to the beach, he handed over to the Council, the Council on its part undertaking the completion of the work, and that to facilitate the immediate commencement of the work, tenders be called for the same returnable by next ordinary meeting of the Council." Mr Dungan seconded the motion, which was carried. SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. Mr Seddon moved—" That the sum of £ be set apart to defray the cost of the destruction of sparrows and small birds in manner provided for by the Small Birds Nuisance Act, 1882. That a committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Jack, Clarke, M'Whirter and the mover bo appointed to draw up regulations as to the best method of attaining the object aimed at. That the Borough Councils of Ross, Kumara, Hokitika, and Greymouth, and the Grey County Council be asked to assist *in the movement." Unless something were done quickly in this matter sparrows would become an intolerable nuisance to fruit and grain growers. Mr Jack seconded. This work should have been undertaken earlier. The advent of sparrows here was an uumitigated evil. Mr Clarke would support the motion if the mover added the words, "and any other nuisance such as thistles and rushes." Rushes were a really great nuisance. Mr Dungan said it appeared to him that the Council would want a "sparrow inspector"—(laughter)—to receive the "game" from the juveniles and take tally of them. Mr M'Whirter was in favor of supporting local industry. The sparrows would come over the range as fast as they were destroyed here. Mr Seddon, in reply, explained the system pursued in Canterbury. The motion was carried on the voices. MAIN ROAD MAINTENANCE. Mr Seddon moved—" That the Minister of Public Works be commnnicated with and asked to hand over to the Westland County Council the sum of .£ISOO, as a subsidy towards the maintenance of main roads within the county." Mr Clarke seconded the motion, which was carried. Thursday December 11. The Council met at eleven a.m.; present—The Chairman, Messrs Dungan, Jack, Spence, Clarke, Daly, and M'Goldrick. DUNEDIN FLAT ROAD. Mr Dungan moved, "That the County Engineer by next meeting of the Council, report on the further extension of the dray road leading from Dillman's Town to Dunedin Plat."— Carried. THE VEHICLE TAX. Mr Dungan moved, "That by-law No 3, imposing a tax on vehicles be rescinded, and that the question be dealt at the January meeting of the Council."—Carried. KAPITEA HILL. Mr Dungan moved, "That tenders be called by next meeting for the widening and grading of Greenstone road, from the second Kapitea Hill to Sandy's Hill."—Messrs Clarke and Jack opposed the resolution. The Chairman said the road was the best in Westland and the proposed work was not required. Mr Dungan said the resolution had been before the last Council and was practically agreed upon. With all Mr Clarke's vast knowledge, he wns sometimes at fault. Complaints had been continually made respecting this hill. The Engineer had already reported on the work. He would like to know the the name of the member for Arahnra who had told Mr Clarke that the work was not urgently required. Mr Clarke said that Mr Seddon told him the work was not urgently required. The motion was lost on a division, Messrs Dungan and Daly voting in the minority, and the first named complaining of the action of Mr Seddon in opposing the motion outside of the Council. STANDING ORDERS. Mr Dungan moved—" That a committee be appointed for the purpose of revising the standing orders, ami report by the nvxt meeting of the Council. That the Committee be constituted of the following members, namely, Messrs M'Whirter, Seddon, Jack, M'Goldrick, and the mover."—The Standing Orders required revision, as many of them were indefinite and placed the Chairman sometimes in an awkward position. He had cho.-eu the committee from their previous knowledge of the Coun-

cil's proceedings.—Mr Jack seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. The Council adjourned sine die