WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2923, 12 March 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council met at two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, in the Council Chambers, FJokitika ; present —The Chairman (J*s. Clarke, Esq.), Messrs Dungan, Jack, Seddon, Grimmoud, Daly, M'Whirter, Spence, and M'Goldrick. The minutes of the previous ordinary and of a special meeting were lead and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. The following business of interest to residents in this part of the county is from the local papers : CORRESPONDENCE. Telegram from Mr C. Y. O'Connor, stating that Mr Larnach will probably leave for the West Coast about the middle of Match, on account of having to go to Wellington first.—Received. = Telegram from Mr Ballance, stating he hoped to visit the West Coast before the session, but he was unablo to fix the time.—Received. Letter from C. Y. O'Connor, stating that £I2OO would be spent ou Haast Pass track.—Received. Letter from Mr J. Brampton, Kumara, applying for a subsidy for keeping a track iu repair from Teremakau to the sea beach.—Received. Telegram from Mr Martin, District Engineer, asking how much had been expended on the Arahura protectiou >vorbs. Received ; information forwarded. Letter from the Secretary Education Board, stating that the Board is willing to contribute £4O compensation to the owners of the water-race at present flowing across the schGol reserve at Stafford.—Received. Telegram from the Hon. J. Ballance, stating that he had gazetted the Chairman a Conservator of State Forests. Received. j Letter from the Town Clerk, Hoki- | i ; ka, stating that the proportion of the | expenses chargeable to the Council for the Governor's reception was £7O 17s Cl.—Received. Mr Seddon said he | was not prepared to pay the sum demanded. The Council were ouly entitled to pay a proportion of the cost in connection with the banquet. A member of the Council, who was a repre- , sentative of the people, was insulted at the banquet. If the Mayor and the Hon. Mr Bonnr chose to make arrangements, that was nothing to do with tlie Council.—Mr M'Goldrick moved that the account lie referred to the delegates of the Council on the Reception Committee.—Mr Dungau understood that the Council were only to be asked to l»iy a share of the cost of- the banquet. He thought Mr Seddon's view was a correct one.—The Chairman said that it might be as Mr Seddon said. It was, however, not good policy to keep this matter open for the sake of a trifle.—Mr Seddon said thrCouncil took the honors, and tried to get other bodies to pay the pipers. A slight and an insult was suffered by him and Mr Bevan.—Mr M'Whirter—"ls that why you oppose Iheaccount?" (Liughter.)—Mr S-ddou said that was not the case. His principle was to pay money tven out of his own pocket in the case of a bargiin. Mr Daly quite agreed that a slur had been cast on Messrs Seddon and Bevan, M.II.Rs. After some discussion, it was resolved

to pay the amount due for the banquet, the balance to be referred to the County Reception Committee to report. Letter from Mr Hannan, solicitor, Greymouth, complaining of damage done to his land on the south side of the Tereuaakau, through tailings from miniDg works. Unless something was done to protect Mr Passmore's land by the County, that gentleman intended to sue the miners depositing the tailings.—Received. Mr Seddon moved that Mr Passmore's suggestion be adopted and the Council agree to protect the river-bank. If Mr Passmore carried out his thrpat to sue, the whole cost of buying out Mr Passmore -would fall on the County. Clause 16 of the Resumption of Lands Act, provided that the cost of the land must be paid out of the goldfields revenue. The Council should if possible temporize.— Mr M'Whirter said Mr Passmore had got to prove damage to his land by tailings. Before any action is taken let that be proved. An inquiry should be made. Mr Keech was in the same position as Mr Passmore.—Mr Dangau said the dauger was that Mr Passmore might get an injunction and so stop all mining, while on the other hand a bad precedent might be established by immediate action.—Mr Daly thought the Chairman and the Engineer should visit the locality and report.—Finally it was resolved that the Public Works Committee visit the ground and report to the Council. ARAHURA PROTECTIVE WORKS. The County Engineer reported that the works on the northern side of the Arahura River, which were authorised by the Public Works Committee at the time of their last visit, would be completed in a few days. He thought the fiokitika side of the river was now thoroughly secure, excepting the piece of bank up near the railway bridge site, where the committee decided not to do anything except to secure the end of the old protection work where the river had made a breach. Some of the men were employed ou the southern side of the river, raising the old pile and scrub wall. When this work is finished, the extension of the hank facing a chain or so up the river will be proceeded with. He expected the whole of the works on both sides of the river would be completed by the end of this month. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted :—Road from BUke's tramway to Mignonnette tramway, Mr Sceterini; Maintenance of Paringa-Haast road, section 1, Mr Michael Power.. FINANCE. The Chairman moved " That the accounts for February, 1886, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £2051 6s, be now passed for payment." The motion was seconded by Mr Spence. Mr Seddon objected to the passing of the report. He noticed an item of £l2O for the reception of the Governor. He moved that this amount be held over. Referring to the question of rates, he said that the Kanieii was the only riding pressed to pay. He intended to move at the next meeting, that a resident collector be appointed to each riding. Mr Jack insisted that the Arahura rates had always been rigidly exacted. The report was adopted. KUMARA CEMETERY. Mr Seddon moved "That this Council will, on the Borough Council of Kumar* agteeing to have vested in the County Council of Westland and the Kumara Council the Kttmara Cemetery Reserve, undertake to defray half the oost of clearing the Kumara Cemetery Reserve and fencing the same." He would ask permission to alter the motion to read, "That this Council will vote pound for pound up to £SO, to the Boroughs of Ross and Kumara, to assist them in keeping up their cemeteries." Seconded by Mr Dungan. Mr Jack moved, as an amendment "That the Boroughs of Ross and Kumara be requested to furnish the Council with estimates of the amount likely to be required by them. After a long discussion, the amendment was lost, and the motion declared carried. Mr Seddon moved "That the County Engineer instruct the road men to clear the tt-tree scrub from the road reserve opposite the Kumara Cemetery. Cost not to exceed £5." Seconded by Mr Jack, and c.uried. PUBLIC WORKS. Mr Seddon moved " That tenders lie invited by next meeting for the construction of tracks from Kawbaka to Wainihitiilii aud from Island Hill to Arahura (being a branch of the same track), in accordance with Mr Kerr's plans and specification*."—Mr M'Whirter seconded.—Carried. Mr Dungan moved "That tue County

I Engineer be instructed to put Hatter's Gully track in a proper state of repair. Cost not to exceed £7."—Mr M'Whirseconded.—Carried. Mr Seddon moved "That the County Engineer be instructed to have guard rails placed on the culverts across the creeks uear the Maori Pah, Arahura. Cost not to exceed £s.'—Seconded by Mr M'Whirter.—Carried. Mr Seddon moved " That the County Engineer be instructed to have a track made from the south end of Jones street, Dillman's Town, and along the ridge between Reynolds and party's and Jones and party's claims, to connect with the Larrikin's road. Cost not to exceed £l9. The work to be done by the county day labour men."—Seconded by Mr * Dungan. —Mr M'Whirter wanted the word "north" substituted for the "south," lie would move an amendment to that effect —Mr Daly seconded the amendment. He. wanted to see the whole of the street in question put to rights,—Amendment with drawn, and resolution carried. Mr M'Whirter moved, "That Mr Kerr be instructed to erect a protective work in the creek at the upper end of Stafford. Cost not to exceed £19." This was a very necessary work, and had been pointed out to several Councillors. Seconded by Mr M'Goldrick.—Carried. COUNTY CLERK. Mr M'Whirter moved "That two months'leave of absence he granted to Mr Rae in consequence of ill-health." He said Mr Rae had been in a bad state of health for some time, and it was desirable that he should see another doctor. Mr Seddon suggested that the time be altered to three months. The alteration was made, by leave of the Council, and Mr Seddon seconded. Mr Daly objected to this method of doing things. If Mr Rae desired leave he should write to the Council for it. The whole thing seemed arranged before the Council met; it was even noticed in the morning paper. Mr Seddon saw nothing in the paper at which Mr Daly could take umbrage. Mr Rae had asked Mr M'Whirter in his presence. The Chairman thought this motion would have caused no discussion ; at the previous meeting Mr Rim health was not so bad as at present. The motion was carried. Mr Rae was apprised of the resolution granting him leave of absence, and expressed his feeling of gratitude for the uniform kindness and courtesy received from the Council. It was not until the previous evening that he had any thoughts of going. Mr M'Whirter moved "That Mr W. W. Hendersou be appointed Cerk of this Council during the absence of Mr H. R. Rae, at a salary of £5 per week." He said when he came from Waimea the previous evening, he knew nothing of its necessity. If leave was granted to Mr Rae, his place would require to be filled, and he knew of no one better fitted to fill the place than Mr Henderson. Mr Jack seconded the resolution, and testified to Mr Henderson's competence. Mr M'Goldrick The motion was curied. TREASURER. Mr M'Whirter moved "That the Chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr. Spence) be appointed Treasurer during the absence of Mr Rae." It being stated that Cr. Spence would be leaving the district in a few days, Cr. Jack wasappoiuted Treasurer in his place. SCHOOLS OP iMINES. Mr Seddon asked leave to move <; That a subsidy of £lO each be granted the School of Mines at Kumara, Rimu, and other places throughout the county." The miners had taken great interest in this movement, and it was virtually aasisting prospecting. Mr Grimmotid suggested that the subsidy be £lO for £lO to be raised by the committees. Mr Jack pointed out that the General Government had already dealt with these committees. Leave was granted. Mr Gtimmoud seconded. Mr Daly supported the motion, and testified to the value of these classes. The motion was carried. The Council adjourned at a late hour.