WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 3109, 20 October 1886, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the Westland County Council was held in tha Council Chambers, Hokidka, on Monday, at 11 a.m.; present—The Chairman (Jas. Clarke, -Esq.), Messis Dungan, Jack, Grimmond, Daly, Hansen, M'Wbirter, Seddon, and M'Goldrick. The following report of business pertaining to this part of the county is from Hokitika papers TENDERS. The Council went into committee to open tenders. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. The adjourned debate on Mr Hansen's motion “That the maintenance of all roads, tracks and bridges, with the exception of the Teremakau, Arahura, Kanieri, and Totara bridges, be let by contract 3 and that specifications be prepared and tenders called for that purpose by the October meeting of this Council,” was resumed. A discussion ensued as to who was last in possession of the chair, when The Chairman ruled that it was not necessary for the mover of the adjournment to be present to continue the debate. Eventually, Mr Grimmond said he would vote against the motion. Under contract for ei»lit months the bridges had cost .£SOOO, as against £3OOO for twelve months under the Council’s supervision. Of course the only difficulty was to always get the best men. They should remember that they had now more than 100 extra miles of road to keep up. Mr M'Whirter had not intended to say anything on the subject if it had not been for Mr Hausen’s remarks. He would have the onus thrown upon Mr Hansen of proving that the Council was in the wrong. He did not believe in seeing men trim their sails to every passing breeze. He supported the view taken by Mr Grimmond. He took credit to himself for attempting to do away with contracts. If Mr Hansen had inquired into affairs he would have hesitated before drawing up so severe an indictment against men working on the roads. He thought he should substantiate his assertions. He felt sure that his figuies just produced would be quite sufficient to upset Mr Hansen’s motion. He would vote against the motion. Members again indulged in a lengthy argument as to the legality of debating the motion. Mr Dungan asked the Chairman if he had not ruled the debate in order, and if so why it should not proceed. He had moved in the same direction as this motion some time since, but he had the weight of the Council against him. He was even disposed to support the motion as it would inaugurate another system. He objected to Mr Hansen’s strictures on the employes of the Council. It was in his opinion nothing short of libel, and the mover should apologise and withdraw the remarks he had made. Ho did not make these remarks in bitterness of spirit, Mr M'Goldrick said the roads were good at present, but they had done that work by contract. If members thought there was too great an expenditure ho felt sure it could be rectified by any councillor calling the attention of the Engineer to it. He defended the employees of the Council as trustworthy men. He would, however, like to hear something moio from Mr Hansen in reply. Mr Seddon moved the following

amendment :—“ That in future time sheets be kept.” He quite agreed with Mr Hansen’s resolution that time sheets should be kept, and that resolution ought not to be allowed to become a dead letter. What was the objection to these time tables? The roadmen could not object to have this done. He regretted that Mr Hansen should have spoken so disparagingly of some of the day labourers, who he said were carrying about kerosene tins, Mr Hansen was assailing the administration of persons who had been in the Council since it was formed. He had brought no facts forward.—[Mr Hansen : “ Am I to call witnesses ?”] —Mr Seddon thought Mr Hansen could have adduced figures to show that the present system was faulty. He thought Mr Hansen had erred in order to gain popularity, and was surprised that a public man of experience should have done so. But as a matter fact most of the County work was done by tender. Mr Seddon then referred at length to the manner in which broken metal and dray hire are supplied to the Council, and the immunity fiom accidents arising from the roads being in good repair. Mr Daly seconded the amendment. He did not go by the statement at all. They could get things done cheaper now than in 1879. The traffic on the Greymouth roads was nob to be compared to that of Westland. There was no such thing as loads of eleven tons in one waggon. The Chairman trusted there was no one else going to speak. He had heard about a man carrying about a kerosene tin with him, filled with gravel, to fill up a dangerous hole in the road. It was quite correct, and saved what must have caused a serious accident. He was glad to have seen the question discussed, and hoped it would be finally settled, Mr Grimmond again pointed out the the difference between an expenditure of £SOOO and £3OOO. He contended the money was only wasted in district roads. Okaritohad cost £750 in these and Jackson’s Bay £500; in fact, fatmore than the Arahura and Kanieri. He insisted upon the money being devoted to main roads. He supported the amendment. Mr Jack doubted whether the timetable system would work. He defended the employes from the charges levelled at them. He had no great inclination to support the amendment,- as he thought some time would be devoted to time-keeping. He, however, preferred the amendment, and would vote for it. Mr Hansen said he felt timid after the catechising he received from the “older” councillors. Mr M'Whirter talked about the electors, but surely the electors had something to do with the matter under discussion. A great deal of capital was made out of his remark that a roadman was repairing the road with a kerosene tin. And so it proved. But the Council lost sight of his principal argument. The Council could not go on with the present expenditure. If the gold duty and Crown Lands rating were removed, the Council could not go on at the present rate of expenditure. Why were tenders not called for broken metal? Then timber and cartage, were they tendered for? Why did the Council not call for tenders? He was informed by One elector of the County that one man employed by the day was using a horse about twenty-five years old. Why should the Council pension off this ancient animal ? [Laughter.] The man who owned it had enjoyed its employment during its young days and should keep it himself now. * Then again were supervision and inspection contracted for? The Council could do with fewer Inspectors, and the Engineer would have more time for a proper inspection. The Council then would not have trouble with overseers refusing to do what the Council ordered. Ho (Mr Hansen) had induced the Council to pass a resolution instructing the overseers to keep time-sheets, but they had treated the resolution with contempt. Mr Seddon was afraid to say decidedly whether he favored contract work or day labour work. Let the Council vote on the question honestly, and not try to escape by a side wind. The amendment was then put, and Mr Hansen called for a division— Ayes ‘.—Messrs M'Whirter, Grimmond, Seddon, Jack, Daly, M'Goldriek, and the Chairman. Hoes ; Messrs Hansen and Dungan. The motion was declared lost, and the Council adjourned to half-past two o’clock. ACCOUNTS. The Chairman moved that the September accounts, amounting to £2280 10s be passed for payment.—Carried. TAIPO FERRY RESERVE. The Chairman moved—■“ That Conn cillora Jack and M'Goldriek, with the pjover, be authorised to sign, on behalf

of this Council, the lease to Mr M'lnerney, Taipo Ferry Reserve.” Mr M'Goldriek seconded the motion. Mr M‘Whirter asked whether the thing could lie done legally, or whether the county solicitor hid given his opinion in the affirmative. The Chairman said yes. Mr Grimmond said his opinion was the ground was a road reserve, as would be seen from the map. Mr Dungan supported the motion. The principle was as old as the hills. Improvements had been made and the tenant should receive compensation. The Chairman said all the arguments advanced hitherto were concerning the Taipo River. Mr M'lnerne.y wanted the matter settled. The resolution was then put and carried. The Council adjourned, and resumed at seven o'clock. FENCING. Mr Dungan moved, “ That Mr Kerr be instructed to erect six or seven chains of fencing north of Flowery Creek, main road, Arahura. Cost not to exceed £12.” Seconded by Mr Seddon, and carried, WIDENING'ROAD. Mr Seddon moved—“ That the track leading from the road to the Frenchman's claim to the Tiehborne and Henderson’s claim, on Ross Terrace, be wiuened into a dray road ; cost not to exceed £15.” Mr Dungan seconded the motion, which, after an acrimonious discussion, was carried. MINISTER OF LANDS. Mr Dungan moved, “That the County Chairman be requested (on behalf of this Council) to give a cordial invitation to the Hon. J. Ballanee (Minister of Lands), to visit Westland at an early date.” Seconded by Mr MWhirter, and carried. CEMETERY HILL ROAD. Mr Seddon moved—“ That tenders be invited by next, meeting for improving the grade of the Greenstone road, near Rogers’ house, Cemeteiy Hill, as per plans and specifications prepared by the County Engineer and nowin office.” He favoured making the grades of arterial roads as easy as possible. Mr M‘Whirier seconded the motion. Mr M'Goldriek supported the motion. The Chairman supported the motion, though ho wag not yet convinced whether it wovld not be better to make the road deviate. Mr Jack supported the motion, which was carried. LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES. Mr Seddon asked if the Chairman would take advantage of the Loans to Local Bodies Act, and make the necessaiy application. He pointed out that the financial position of the Coucil imperatively called for this step. The Chairman said he would, and suggested a special meeting. The Council then adjourned.