WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2899, 12 February 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Westland County Council was held in the County Chambers, Hokitika, on Wednesday, at 2,30 p.m. j present—Mr M‘Whirter (in the chair), Messrs M‘Goldrick, Dungan, Jack, Gfrimmond, Seddon, Spence, and Daly, After the minutes of the previous ordinary meeting had been read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved of, the following business having reference to this part of the county is reported in our exchanges to have come before the Council. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr J. Deakin, of Ross, stating that he was compelled to give up his contract for construction of the Kumara Ocean Beach road, and he asked for the return of his deposit. Received, Letter from Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham, applying for the sum of £5 5s alleged to be due to Dr. MacCarthy for medical attendance in June last, in a case of diphtheria. Received. Letter from Mr George Chambers, of Stafford, complaining of the dangerous state of the foot-bridge on Liverpool Bill Creek. Inconsequence of this Mr Chambers had to make arrangements to have his children accommodated at Stafford instead of at home.—Referred to the Engineer, to have the same repaired. PETITION. Mr Spence presented a petition from a number of the residents of Upper Arahura, praying for the construction of a track from Harconrt’s Hotel to the Humphrey’s Gully claim, which was read and ordered to lay on the table. FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported receipts for January, 1886, as follows £ B. d. Compensation abolition Christchurch toll ... 500 0 0 General rales ... ... 22 1 11 Goldfields revenue ... 148 11 9 Gold duty 318 7 8 Total receipts ... £989 1 4 The accounts for January, 1886, as revised aud recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1561 5s were passed for payment. The County Engineer reported in reference to the Arahura River protective works as follows “ AH the works authorised by the Public Works Committee, on the northern hank of the river, are now completed. A new crate has been constructed at the back of the old one, above the Maori houses, arid the river bank securely faced with scrub and stone for several chains up stream from it. The river is beginning to cut into the bank at a point a few chains above the end of the work now constructed, and if not stopped before the next heavy flood, will probably carry away several chains of the old protection, and eventually cut in at the back of the new work. A small outlay at the present time would prevent this, I would therefore recommend that it be done at once. The bank facing along the southern side of the river should he extended a few chains up stream, and the down stream end of the work strengthened. I think it. would also be advisable to sow some good matting kind of grass, ami plant brambles along both banks ..f ihe river. As there is yet about £6OO of the

£4400 vote unexpended, I would suggest that the Public Works Commutee visit the An, bur a to-morrow, Thursday, (10th lust.) so as to decide* on the next work to be nude,-taken.”

PROPOSED ADJOURNMENT. Mr Seddou moved that the Council now adjourn. He did not see anythin* of any importance on the order paper* and he thought it better to adjourn until the accounts „f the different tidings were separated.—Mr Dungau seconded.—Lost on the voices.

lamplou gh t rack . Mr Dungan moved “ That the County Engineer receive instructions to put the Chesterfield and Lamplou-di track into a proper state of repair; cost not to exceed £ 7.” This track was in a very bad state, and be had heard many complaints about it. Tho Chairman seconded.—Carried.

mapourika-m'dqnneld’ 8 creek track. Mr MOroldnck moved, “That tenders oe invited (as per Mr Butler’s plans and specifications now on the table) for the construction of track fiom Maponrika to M‘DonnelJ’a Creek track—distance 129 chains.”

The Chairman said this work would cost the Council about £4OO. Mr Jack seconded.

The Chairman moved, as an amendment, that the consideration of this matter be held over until the Council received a report from Mr Butler. Mr Dungan seconded.

.1 Mi ; r M :?i C ! , : ick said lie co « ld see that Mr M‘Whirter w as put into the chair to floor the notice paper. The Chairman deprecated’ such reflections.

Mi M Goldrick said it was stran«e that such action had been taken as had been taken that day. He pressed the meeting to pass his motion. There seemed a combination by the Arahnra members against any southern works.

NO QUORUM. At this stage of the proceedings Mr Dungan left the room, and was shortly followed by the Chairman. There being no quorum remaining, the meeting lapsed at 4 p.m.