WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Kumara Times, Issue 3075, 10 September 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

♦ ■ The monthly meeting of the Westland Cmmty Council was held in the Council Chambers, Hokitika, on Wednesday at 2 p.m.; present—The County Chairman (Jas. Clarke, Esq.), Messrs Jack, Dungan, Grimmond, M‘Whirter, Hansen, M'Goldrick, Seddon, and Daly. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. The following report of business of interest to this part of the county is fiom the West Coast Times : N INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From W. Morris, Dillman’s Town, asking that a road be gone on with.— Received. From John Hanneberry and others, asking for assistance in prospecting between the Hokitika River and Ross. Received, and referred to the Prospect, ing Committee. REPORTS. The Finance Committee’s Report, as below, was read and considered. Your committee have the honor to report as follows:

RECEIPTS SINCE LAST MEETING. Refund, traveling expenses of 8 members 22 0 Refund, error ; voucher 944 4 0 0 Special subsidies to goldfields 262 10 0 Balance of subsidy on general rates ... ... ... 301211 General rates, Kamen ... 24 8 6 £323 13 5 PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £1872 18s have been paid since last meeting. ACCOUNTS FOR AUGUST, 1886. The accounts for August amount to the total sum of £1298195, being very greatly less than those of any previous month for a long time past. Your Committee have examined these accounts, and recommend that they be passed for payment. LIABILITIES. The total sum due on current contracts is £6982 14s, and there are some contracts to be led at the present meeting. It will be necessary to be careful in incurring liabilities for some months to come, in order to keep out of debt. The receipts up to the end of the year will be small, and there is no money likely to be. available for any purpose except the maintenance of roads and bridges and the new works already authorise 1. BANK ACCOUNT. Dr. balance, Bank of New Zealand, Bth September, £163 14s Id. There are no large payments at present due by the Government to the Council. There is a very large decrease in the receipts from goldfields revenue and gold duty during the last five months. The report was adopted on the motion of Mr Daly. The County Engineer’s Report, as below, was read, received, and laid on the table:— “ Letter from the manager (Mr Spence) of the Kelly’s Terrace Gold Mining Company re road through their claim. The portion of this road (about eight chains) constructed before the company had obtained a lease of the ground, is reserved, but although the extensions made from time to time since are not reserved, I have no doubt the company would permit the Council to deviate the road within their lease in the event of its interfering with their working at any time.” The Council went into committee to consider tenders, and, on resuming, The Chairman moved, “ That the accounts for August, 1886, as revised and recommended for payment by the Finance Committee, amounting to £1298 19s, be now passed for payment.”—Seconded by Mr Daly, and carried, ROAD MAINTENANCE. Mr Hansen moved, “That the maintenance of all roads, tracks, and bridges with the exception of the Teremakau, Arahura, Kanieri and Totara bridges, be let by contract. That specifications be piepared and tenders called for that purpose by the October meeting of this Council.” He pointed out that under the present system it was impossible for the Council to carry on, seeing that road maintenance cost more than the ordinary revenue of the Council. It was necssary to make a change, and he would do what he could. At the previous meeting he had moved that road overseers send in a report of their men and how employed, but the resolution had been treated with contempt. A lot of useless men were employed walking about the roads, some, he was told, with a shovel in one hand and a kerosene tin in the other. Mr Jack seconded pro forma. Fie said the matter had come up in the Council before and in numerous other local bodies. At present the breaking of the metal and the cartage was contracted for, and all tb it was done by day labour was spreading the gravel. The men oomplained of were old servants and could not be rubbed out. The roads were in excellent condition. Mr Daly said he would support the motion if all the roads in the county were under the same rule. It had not worked well in the Grey County. Mr Seddon said he did not think the Council should treat the motion in the cavalier manner they were apparently doing. It was an important question, and if any of the evils complained of by Mr Hansen had existence they should be remedied. He suggested the adjournment of the debate. Ir Mr Hansen had travelled with him from Marsden to Kumara, and from Kumara to Hokitika, he would have been astonished at the difference of the way the two roads were kept. He asked that the County Clerk prepare a statement for next meeting showing the relative cost by contract and by day labour. There was no doubt a feeling in favour of tendering because many who could not obtain employment thought they were as much entitled to it as those now employed. Mr M'Whirter supported the adjournment, and generally endorsed the views of the previous speaker. There was a great deal to be said on both sides. Adjournment agreed to.

dillman’s road fencing. Mr Dongnn moved, “That the County Engineer bo instructed to complete the unfinished piece of fencing near The Break on Dillman’s road ; cost not to exceed £10.” A vote had been made for this road and it was found insufficient. The amount asked for would complete some bad gaps. Mr M'Goldrick seconded. Motion carried. RESTRICTIONS ON SALE AND SETTLEMENT OP CROWN L.VNDS. Mr Jack moved, “That the Premier be requested to remove the restrictions new imposed on the sale and settlement of Crown Lands in Westland; the existing reservations from sale being most injurious to the interests of the County.” Also, “thatthe Government be requested to furnish this Council with a copy of the recont ! y prepared map, showing the auriferous and other reserves of the County.” There were a number of persons waiting to take up land, and owing to the reservation it was impossible for them to do anything. He thought a strong representation from the Council would have weight. Mr M'Whirter seconded the resolution. The Land Board had repeated applications for land, which they were unable to deal with, owing to the locking up by the reservation. Mr Seddon said he was pleased at the resolution brought forward, and he would explain what he had clone. The speaker then detailed the difficulty he had experienced in getting the faulty Act of 1884 amended so as to withdraw certain large blocks. He was at one time opposed by all the lawyers in the House, and even by the Attorney-Gen-eral. He had got the amendment carried and now it was generally recognised by all to be the best thing. Mr Dungan thought the County must feel very pleased at the clear statement made by Mr Seddon, and he felt due recognition should be made. Mr Jack was pleased at the clear light in which things had been put by Mr Seddon. The district suffered greatly by the reservation. ROAD DEVIATION. The Chairman moved “ That the County Engineer be instructed to report on the advisability and practicability of diverting the road from the Blue Spur to the Upper Crossing.” The work was not a very expensive one and well within the county’s means.— Seconded by Mr Hausen, and carried, PARLIAMENTARY VOTES. Mr Seddon asked the Chairman to allow him to lay on the table a number of parliamentary papers, and explained what steps were necessary to be taken regarding certain votes. Mr Hansen moved a vote of thanks' to Mr Seddon for the papers and also for copies of the Counties Act. Mr Jack seconded, but thought that the Legislature had treated local bodies badly whilst getting two honrarinms in one year. Neither of the members fer the district had raised their voices against the injustice done to locol bodies, nor the double grant of a noble two hundred. The Chairman also accorded his meed of praise and of thanks to Mr Seddon. The Council then adjourned.