WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 3105, 15 October 1886, Page 3

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The County Council met in the Council Chambers, Hokitika, on Wednesday, at 2.30 p.m.; present—The Chairman (James Clarko, Esq.), and Messrs M'Whirter, M'Goldrick, Daly, Hansen, Dnngan, Qrimmond, Jack, and Seddon. From the Times we extract the following particulars of business relating to this part of the county:— CONTRACT FOR WIDENING GREENSTONE ROAD. A letter was read from Messrs Stevena and Hanraban, contractors for widening Greenstone road, stating that dissension had arisen between them and the Engineer over the carting of somo gravel, and asking the Council to take a generous view of the matter.— Received. In a discussion which ensued over this letter, Mr Jack moved that the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman, the mover, and the Engineer to report. Mr Dnngan said he thought the contractors were really suffering a great hardship, and would second the motion. Mr Grimmond objected strongly to this. He pointed ont that they had thrown out other tenders which would have involved the use of worthless gravel. The Council had no right to go against the Engineer. He insisted upon the contract being fulfilled to the letter. He would vote against the motion. Mr M'Goldrick said there would be no harm in the Chairman and Engineer looking into the matter. He thought it was hard for the contractors to incur a heavy loss, and would support the motion. Mr M'Whirter coincided with Mr Grimmoud. He thought, however, that Mr Jack's suggestion was fair notwithstanding. In disputes of this kind it was only usual to appoint an arbitrator, who on this occasion would be the Chairman. Mr Hansen would not sopport the motion without giving a good reason. He did not see there was anything serious at present before the Council. He supported the motion because the specifications were faulty. Mr Daly supported the motion, which was carried. CORRESPONDENCE. From the ferryman, Teremakau, asking increase of subsidy.—Received, and referred to the Engineer to report at next meeting. From Kumara Borough Council, re clearing and fencing reserves on town boundary, and applying for a settlement of claim for fencing cemetery.—Received. FINANCE REPORT. The Finance Committee's report, as follows, was read, received and adopted: Your committee have the honor to report as follows : RECEIPTS SINCE LAST MEETING. £ s. d From Government, progress payment Browning's Pass track 85G 15 4 From Grey County, Teremakau bridge 58 1 0 Goldfields revenue and duty 537 19 10 General rates and dog tax ... 35 13 9 Total receipts ... £I4BB 9 11 PAYMENTS. Accounts amounting to £1291 '9a have been paid since last meeting. ACCOUNTS FOR SEPTEMBER. The accounts for last month have been Very carefully revised by us. Their total ftmount is £2208 10s. We recommend

that they be passed for payment. They include payments altogether amounting to £786 13s, for work performed for the Government by the county in connection with the Cedar Creek dray road and the Cook River flat road. 1 CURRENT CONTRACTS. There are 29 contracts now in hand, the amount due on which comes to a total of £6200 ; and tenders for three other works are to be dealt with at this meeting. There are no other important liabilities. BANK ACCOUNT. The whole of the sum of £4OOO lodged as a fixed deposit on Bth May last, has now been paid into the general account of the county fund and expended, with the exception of a sum of £llOO, which remains now at credit of this account, so that an overdraft will be necessary to ireet the whole of the September payments. Your committee would now point out the necessity which has arisen for avoiding as far as possible new liabilities, otherwise the Council will soon be heavily in debt. LAPSE OF BUSINESS. Mr Hansen moved the adjournment of the Council. He thought it was disgraceful that three or four members who came from the country should leave all the work to a bare quorum. Mr Daly would not tolerate it any longer and would leave his seat. Mr M'Goldrick agreed with Mr Hansen. Mr Daly then rose and left, and the meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. A minute or two afterwards Messrs Seddon, Grimmond, and M'Whirter filed into the room and were somewhat surprised to find the meeting had lHpsed. * Snme confusion then ensued, Messrs. Seddon nnd Grimmond contending that the meeting had not lapsed, becnu.se they had come into the room before five minutes had expired. Mr Seddon insisted on the business going on. The Chairman said it was impossible, the meeting had lapsed.