WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2722, 12 June 1885, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The County Council met at the Chambers, Hokitika, on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. ■ present—The Chairman (J. Grimmond, Esq), Messrs Seddon, M‘Whirter, Dungan, Jack, Spence, Daly, and M f Goldrick. The following report of business in connection with or affecting this part of the county is taken from the West Coast Times : CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from Mr H. J. Wylde, surveyor, stating that he had concluded surveys of certain tracks, and forwarding the account of cost.—Received.— Mr Jack did not understand why this expense was incurred, when reports could have been obtained from the Survey Office.—Mr M'Goldrick would like to know what the surveyor was looking for?—The Chairman said that the expense was authorised by the Council, and the work had been done as cheaply as possible. Letter from the Ross Borough Council, asking if the Council wished to be gazetted jointly with the borough, as trustees of the cemetery.—Received, and resolved that the matter he left in the hands of the borough only. Letter from Mr F. Dale, stating that he had been appointed inspector of business licenses by Dr. Giles, but his appointment had not been confirmed by the Conner. Hoc ived. Mr M'Whirter moved, and Mr M/Goldrick seconded, that Mr Dale’s appointment

be confirmed,—Mr Dungan said the police, he understood, were acting. Mr Dale would receive a percentage, while the police would not. —Mr Jack said the percentage charged by Mr Dale, twenty per cent,, would be too much.— Mr Dungan would like to have official notification that the police refused to act.—MrM'Whirter said the police had no power to act, as Mr Dungan supposed.—Finally the motion was carried, the percentage to be arranged by the Chairman. Letter from Mr Etheridge, resigning bis appointment as County Returning Officer, on account of his approaching removal to Auckland. Received. — Mr M‘Whirter moved that Mr Etheridge’s letter be received and accepted with regret. —Carried. Letter from Mr J. O’Brien, stating that he bad been employed as ferryman at Arahura in January last, and claiming compensation for extra work and damage to his boat.—Received. —Mr Daly said that Mr O’Brien was engaged at weekly wages, and if his boat was damaged beyond reasonable wear and tear, he was entitled to something.— Mr M‘Whirter suggested that the matter be referred to Mr Kerr.—Mr Sedr don moved that the sum of £3 10s, a week’s wages in lieu of notice, be paid to Mr O’Brien. —Mr Jack seconded the motion.—Mr Daly said O’Brien had done work which he had not contracted to do. He was engaged as a ferryman, not to carry timber. —Mr M'Goldrick understood that O'Brien had used an extra boat.—Mr Seddon’s motion was carried on the voices. Letter from the Clerk of the Grey County, stating that the Grey County Council had declined to accede to Mr Reuben Waite’s request for assists nee.— Received.—Mr Dungan regretted the decision of the Grey County Council to refuse a paltry sum of £1 a month to Mr Waite, who quite deserved it from the Grey. Letter from Kumara Borough Council, stating that the Council proposed to erect a wire fence to cost £IOO, which amount they considered should be borne equally by the Borough and County.—Received. Letter from Mr J. Park, returning draft deed respecting Mr Miller’s land at Arahura, desired as a thoroughfare by the Council, with a refusal to sign it 3 also stating that he would prefer the Council to purchase the area of land they required,—Received. Letter from Mr A. Souter, Arahura, complaining of the want of tracks in the neighborhood of the Arahura river, and stating that if the country were opened up payable alluvial gold would be found. —Received, and resolved to inform Mr Souter that a track was now being formed, reports. The following reports were received and adopted;— FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. 1. Your committee have the honour to report that they have carefully revised the May accounts, and recommend same to be passed for payment. Their total amount is £IO7B 17s. 2. The subject of the granting of a lease of the Taipo Ferry Reserve to Mr M'lnerney was referred to your committee for report at the last meeting. We have examined the draft of the lease, and find it is drawn in terms of the Council’s resolution. We recommend that the question of granting the lease be referred to the Council for its final decision. COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. 1. I have the honour . to report that since last meeting Reynolds and party gave me notice of their intention to sluice away that portion of the track from Larrikin’s to Dillman’s Town which runs through their claim. The County Engineer and myself inspected the track, and found it in a dangerous condition. We selected a new route, and a track is now being constructed which will answer all public requirements for some time to come. 2. I interviewed the Public Works Committee of the Harbour Board, and arranged that the Council should have the use of their engine and plant to finish the protective works at Arahura, and the rent of the same from January last till the work is completed should be equivalent to the rates due by the Board to the Council. 3. When in Kumara (as instructed) I interviewed the Mayor re application for grant to Cemetery. As the Borough Council receives all the fees, and as this Council are not in any way trustees of the Cemetery, I do not see how we can be expected to contribute towards keeping it in order. Reports from the engineer and overseers were also read and received. ADJOURNMENT. . Mr M'Goklrick moved ,-n adjoi-rn. ment for twenty minutes, a.> iMv;only a bare quorum present. He was tired of that sort of thing. [The members who had left, were Messrs Seddon. M‘Whirter, and Jack.] —Mr Dungan seconded the motion which was carried, and the Council adjourned accordingly. On resuming a!) members were present,. . - ACCOUNTS. The Chairman moved “That the

adf&unts for the month of May, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1678 17a, be now passed for payment.”—Carried. [The report will be continued in tomorrow’s issue.]