WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 3056, 19 August 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

— The adjourned monthly meeting of the Westland County Council was held in the Council Chambers, Hokitika, on Tuesday, at 2.20 p.m. j present—the Chairman (J. Clarke, Esq.), Messrs M'Whirter, Dungan, Gritmnond, Jack, Hansen, Daly, and M'Goldrick. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved of. i lie following report of business of busiest to this part of the county ia Lorn the West Coast Times

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Secretary of Kumara Hospital Board of Trustees, stating that the Council’s representative, Mr Mansfield, had left the district ; his seat had been declared vacant and Mr Dungun appointed to his place.—Received, From the Mines Department, stating ihat all future grants for*-roads and tracks will be £1 for £l, not £2 for £1 as heretofore.—Received. From Owen Roberts, Teremakau, asking for a boat to assist in snagging at Teremakau bridge.—Received; referred to the County Engineer and Mr Dungan with authority to act. From Grey County Chairman, advising that the sum of £SB would be forwarded as soon as funds were available.—Received, From R. J, Seddon, forwarding a copy of letter sent to Minister of Public Works.—Received. From Minister of Mines as follows: In reply to your letter of the 25th March last, and your telegram of the 15th inst., applying for subsidy towards roads and tracks, I have to state that it is proposed to take a vote on the Supplementary Estimates on the £ for £ principle towards constructing the undermentioned tracks : Track from sea beach up Gorge River to junction of Jerry River; estimated cost £I2OO Track from Milltown to Christchurch road at Wahinhini Creek 2000 Track from Mapourika to M‘Donald’s Creek 400 „. „ £3600 £ for £ subsidy £IBOO Received. From Kumara Borough Council in reference to road on Kumara borough boundary.—Received. From Win. Duncan, agent for M. M'lnerney, with reference to draft of lease which was submitted.—Received; letter held over. From Postmaster-General, stating he could not agree to establishing a telephone from Ross to Okaruo, as it would not pay working expenses.—Received. From Finance Committee, as below;— "Your committee have the honour to report as follows : I. —RECEIPTS SINCE LAST MEETING.

II. —PAYMENTS SINCE LAST MEETING. Accounts amounting to £2603 5s have been passed since last meeting. BANK ACCOUNT.

ACCOUNTS FOB JULY, 1886. The July accounts amount to £1869 11s. Your committee have carefully examined these, and recommend them for payment. LIABILITIES AT DATE. Twenty-two contracts are at present in hand, the balance remaining unpaid on which amounts in the total to £6784. There are no other liabilities of any great importance. The assets at date amount to above £IOOO over that sum. Your committee would earnestly impress on your Council the imperative necessity that now exists for the exercise of care in incurring liabilities in excess of those now existing. For after this year the Council will lose £7OOO per annum rates on Crown lands; the price of miners’ rights has been reduced to ss; all the subsidised goldfields tracks are reduced to £ for £ 'instead of £2 for £1; the subsidy on general rates has been reduced from £IOOO per annum to £225 ; and in other ways revenue has suffered so great a diminution that it is doubtful if sufficient will remain for the bare maintenance of the main roads and tracks. For many months past the accounts have averaged over £2OOO a month, and this rate of expediture cannot be continued if the Council is to keep out of debt. The total amount spent on the track to Browning’s Pass to date is £1893135, and the amount of aid given to prospecting parties since January last amounts to £393 Is 9d. A sum of £BBB 5s has been paid or passed to Charitable Aid Board from Ist January to 31st December, 1886, while the whole subsidy on rates only amounts to Mr Daly moved the adoption of the report. The greatest economy must be observed in the future, and liabilities should be kept down. He hoped a change for the better would soon take place.—Mr Dungan seconded.—Agreed to. Mr M‘Wfcirter moved, “That Mr Kerr be instructed to have the road reserve fronting the Stafford school levelled and put, in proper repair.''* The necessity for it hud been seen by the Public Works Committee ami by the Chairman, Day labor men could do it.—Mr M'Goidrick seconded.—

Messrs Dungan and Jack supported.— Mr Daly said the committee had already done a great deal in buying out the dame and race. The Education Board should surely do the work. —Mr M‘Whirter said it was a portion of the main road.—Carried. Mr Jack, by leave, moved, “That Mr Dungan represent the Council on the Board of Hospital Trustees, Kuraara.”—Seconded by Mr M'Whirter.— Carried. The Council then adjourned.

„ £ s. d. Publicans’ licenses 25 0 0 Goldfields’ revenue and duty 562 5 General rates— 5 Kanieri 23 13 5 Arahura 17 yin Totara 3 13 6 Dog-tax—Kanieri 4 10 0 Total £636 10 2

Credit balance, general £ s. d. account ... 350 18 10 On fixed deposit ... 2000 0 0 Total ... .£2350 18 10