WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2704, 22 May 1885, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Westland County Council, for the adoption of the balance-sheet wbs held at noon yesterday. Present—The Chairman, Messrs Seddon, Jack, Dungan, Spence, and Daly. The balance-sheet and auditor's rereport were read. The auditor reported as follows: " I have the honor to report for your information that I have audited the accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1885, and have compared the same with vouchers, ledger, cash book, bank pass book, and other documents, and find the same to be correct with the following exception, viz.—voucher, No. 108, vote of 11th June, 1884, for £4O paid to Messrs White and Morris, for the purpose of proceeding td Wellington as delegates to represent certain miners grievances in re the Kumara Sludge-channel. I take exception to this payment, as I do not consider these geutlemen were travelling on the County service, as they went to Wellington to represent one of the two parties that were in dispute about certain regulations connected with the sludge-channel, and if the County paid the expenses of one party, it would be equally legal for the other party to claim for their expenses. The disbursement also does not come under the conditions laid down in section No. 102, Counties Act, which directs how moneys are to be expended. I therefore consider this money should be refunded to the Council. I beg to express my appreciation of the clear and concise manner in which the books and accounts are kept by the Treasurer." Mr Seddon took exception to the length of the auditor's remarks respectlug the expenditure or the expedition of the miuers' delegates, and moved the following resolution:—«That the balance sheet as prepared by the Treasurer be adopted; but that with regard to the exception taken by the auditor to the expenditure of £4O under voucher No. 108 re defraying a portion of the expenses of Messrs White and Morris to Wellington, the Council, whilst not taking the extreme step as provided by section 134 of eliminating anything that may appear that does not show fully and truly all the dealings with the County funds, yet it considers the the facts of the case do not warrant the remarks made by the auditor. That the expenses asked for and paid were to bring to a close a strike of ninety miners who refused to accept the new Sludge Channel Regulations, and to urge upon the Government the reduction iu the exorbitant price charged for water; that by the strike the County was losing goldfield's revenue aud gold duty; that by the price of water beiug reduced, a large area of poor ground could be worked, and that by an increase of population aud lurger area of ground being worked, the County revenue would be considerably augmented, Under these circumstances the Council takes exception to the auditor including in his report remarks which the documentary evidence put before him does not support, and seeing that the auditor did not ask the Council for an explanation or take outside evidence, that the report be drafted as written by the auditor; that this resolution bo also added to the balance-sheet, together with the documentary evidence in possession of the Council in connection with the expenditure which the auditor takes exception to." Mr Jack seconded the motion, which was supported by the other members, who protested against the action of the auditor, and carried. The Times reports that— Mr Seddon then moved, in a speech eulogistic of the services of the officers of the Council, especially of those of the Treasinvr. Mr R<e " w |, o | lK( j ] effc nothing to lie "by the most hypercritical, the following resolution;

" That the thanks of the Council be tendered to its officers for the faithful manner in which they have performed their duties. That a bonus of ,£SO be voted to the Secretary and Treasurer; that a bonus of £25 be voted to the County Engineer, and that a bonus of £l2 10s each be voted to overseers Beck and Butler." Mr Sfddon referred in most complimentary terms to the manner in which the officers had discharged their duties. During the year juat passed a much greater number of works had been carried out than in any previous year, involving largely increased duties upon the staff, these duties had been performed in a most praiseworthy manner, so much so, in fact, as to leave nothing to which exception could be taken. Mr JDungan, ex County Chairman, seconded the resolution, speaking warmly in favour of it, testifying to the satisfactory manner in which the business of the Council had been conducted. The other members of the Council also expressed their concurrence. Mr Grimmond, County Chairman, in supporting the resolution also spoke in the highest tesrns qf the value of thp work performed by Mr Rae, instituting comparisons between this and other counties, which with far less work to do, had been compelled to employ extra clerical assistance. He also referred to the very reliable services rendered by Mr Kerr, the engineer, and the rest of the staff. He expressed his personal appreciation of the assistance rendered him in carrying ont the duties of bis own office by the County Clerk. The other councillors also expressed their satisfaction at the conduct of the business and general supervision of the clerk. The resolution was carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated. ADJOURNED ORDINARY MEETING. An adjourned ordinary meeting of the Council was to have been held at two p.m., but as, afc half-past two, the only mombers present were the Chairman, Messrs Dungan, Jack, and M'Groldrick'j the meeting lapsed.