WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2975, 15 May 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednnesday, May 12. The Council met at the Council Chambers, Hokitika, at 2.30 p.m. ; present—The Chairmen (Jas. Clarke, Esq.), Messrs Dungan, Jack, Daly, M'Goldrick, Grimmond, M'Whirter, and Seddon. The following is a report of the business of interest to residents in this riding, from our exchanges:— The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved of. OTIRA HOUSE AND RESERVE. Letter from Mi Chesney, agent for Messrs Cassidy, Binnie, and Co., applying for a lease of the toll-gate house and road reserve at Otira.—Referred to the Finance Committee to report. OFFICE BOY. L°tter from Mr H. R. Rue applying for the assistance of a lad in office, and stating that since 1880 the revenue had more than doubled, and that the number of contracts had doubled since 1880. Mr Seddon moved that applications be called for the services of a youth at a salary of £SO a year. Mr M'Whirter seconded the resolution. Mr Rae had become ill through too much brain work. Mr Jack supported the resolution. Mr Dungan said this letter came upon him in the light of a surprise. Let it be merely received. He (Mr Dungan) always understood that the Clerk and Treasurer was able, -when well, to do his work. When he was ill of course he could not. Mr Rae should keep to the business of the office, and not interfere with outside matters. Mr M'Whirter rose to a point of order. The Chairman thought Mr Duncan was going too far. Mr Dungan bowel to the Chairman's decision. He thought, however, that Mr Rae could easily do the work. He was not going to follow the stereotyped line of other gentlemen Mr Grimmond thought there should be two in the County Office. Indeed he (Mr Grimmond) had suggested this to Mr Rae a year ago, but Mr Rae objected. However, he would support the motion. Other councillors having spoken on the question, the motion was carried on the voices. CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from the Colonial Secretary's office on the subject of the codlin moth pest.—Received. Letter from Treasury, Wellington, notifying the payment of £6990 rates on Crown Lands. Received. Letter from Stafford Mineral Testing Class thanking the Council for granting the use of the old Court-house.—Re-ceived. Letter from Mr Joseph Pfaff, stating that he had been mining for twentynvo years and bad been disabled bv rheumatics, and asking for employment.—Referred to Mr Kerr. Letter from the Treasurer advising the despatch of £ll2 14s 3d, gold duty for February.—Received.

FINANCES. The Finance Committee reported receipts since last meeting to be £7382 14s 3d, and payments made £1770 lis. The bank account at date stood as follows : £ s. d. Crpdit balance, genera! account 600 13 3 On fixed deposit, 3 months 2000 0 0 On fixed deposit, 6 months 2000 0 0 Total £4600 13 3 Something over £2500 was now due by the General Government to the Council on account of work already clone by the Council and subsidy due ' rates. The Hahilites at date were approximately, £6700, and the assets' £II,BOO. Several accounts from Licensing Committees for fees in attending meetings of committees were laid before the committee, who were unable to pass the accounts in view of the opinion of the County Solicitor on the subject. The committee therefore referred these accounts to the Council. The Chairman moved " That the accounts for April, 188 G, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amountin" to £1667 14s, bo now passed for payment."—Carried. THE ORDER PAPER. The Chairman asked leave to move without notice, "That Mr Seddon be. asked to take resolution 20 off the crdfr paper." He felt the resolution referred to whs an insult to the rh.iir. Mr Seddon had wandered from Kn«'land to K-trnVri, a <1 \w\ up in such a mammer vis to ut'empt to make the Chai'-mu , K«.k ridiculous.

Mr M'Goldrick thought it best to let the resolutions come in their order on the order paper; be did not tlnnk Mr Seddon meant to insult the chair, llie Council could, when the resolniion came up, express its views. Leave to move the resolution was, after an acrimonious discussion, refused.

SEDDON STREET BOUNDARY. Mr Seddon moved, "That plans and specifications he prepared by the County Engineer for the forming and widening of the boundary road from Seddon street to Sellers' house. That after the said plans and specifications are prepared, the Borough Council of Kumara be requested to call for tenders for the work in accordance with the said plans and specifications, this Council defraying half the cost, or in the event of the said Borough Council preferring the Council to get the work done, that tenders be called conditionally on the Borough Council at Kumara defraying half the cost in terms of the Municipal Corporations and Counties Acts, 1876." Carried. KUMARA TO BEACH ROAD. Mr Seddon moved, " That plans and specifications be prepared by next meeting for the widening of one mile of the Kumara to Beach road, extending westward from the borough boundary."— Carried. HOSPITAL TRUSTEE. Mr Seddon, by leave, amended a resolution standing in his name, by moving, "That his Excellency the Governor be requested to validate the election of Mr Daly as a trustee of the Westland Hospital."—Seconded by Mr M'Whirter, and carried. ANOTHER OVERSEER. Mr Seddon moved, "That applications be called from persons competent to fill the position of wot king overseer to the Arahura Riding of the County of Westland. Applicants must be competent to draw rough working plans, to scale and prepare specifications, &c, for roads, bridges, culvert, &c, Salary .£lB7 per annum, and £4O added to defray coach fare, or feed for horse." There was no overseer in the Arahura riding now, as Mr Kerr was chief overseer. There was a great deal of work going on in the Arahura, and there should be some supervision there. After some discussion leave was granted to amend the motion, referring it to the Chairman to report. The Chairman declared the amendment carried. Mr Seddon moved " That pending the appointment of an overseer for the Arahura Riding, Richard Beck, Esq., overseer of the Kanieri Riding, be placed in charge of the works and wages men in the Arahura Riding. That he be allowed 10s per day and coach or horse hire for every and each day he is called upon to perform the duties of overseer in the said Arahura Riding." After some discussion the matter was referred to the Chairmau to deal ! with, pending his report. j WAIMEA-JIAORI GULLY TRACK. i Mr Dungan moved " That Mv Kerr \ receive instructions to put the Waitnea 1 and Maori Gully track into a proper ! state of repair; cost not to exceed j £10." | Seconded by Mr M'Whirter, and ' carried. ! THE HON. MR. GLADSTONE. j The consideration of the motion by j the Chairman that a congratulatory telegram be sent to the Hon. W. E. Gladstone was postponed. GENERAL RATE. The Chairman moved " That it is the inteution of this Council, on June 9, 1886, to make and levy a rate of three half-pence in the pound on the capital value of rateable property in the county ; said rate to be for the year ending 31st March, 1887, and to be payable in one sum on Jnne 15, 1886." Seconded by Mr Seddon and carried.