Horowhenua County Council.

Manawatu Herald, 18 December 1902, Page 3

Horowhenua County Council.

At the meeting of the above on Saturday the tender of Messrs Swainson and Bevan was accepted for the construction of the high level bridge across the Ohau river. Following are the amounts of the tenders receivedSwainson and Bovan £I6BB 12s 6d; J. Saunders, £1692 17s 2d; A. Sellar, £1892195; JR. Lyon, £2141; A. Ihle, £2049 -6s M, A OBLIGATE VOSITION. Before accepting Messrs Swainson and Bevan's tender for the erection el the Ohau bridge at the County meeting on Saturday, Or Nodine stated he had grave doubts as to the position of Cr Davies in the matter oithe Council letting tenders to the firm of Swainson and Sevan, owing to the gentleman’s interest in the company as a director. He was of opinion that Or Davies could not legally vote for any contract being let to the firm in question, and doubted whether ho had any right to even sit at the council table. Cr Nodine quoted from the Counties Act to show that unless a limited liability Blmpauy bad more than 20 shareholders a member of the Council interested in the company could not vote on any question affecting the same under penalty of a heavy fine. He asked Or Davies to explain hia position. Or Davies stated that he had been of opinion that there was nothing to prevent his voting on any question that was brought before the Council. However, ho had not been aware of the clause quoted by Cr Nodine, and could not say how many persons held shares in the Swainson and Sevan Company. Or Davies refrained from voting on the question of letting the contract for the Ohau bridge, and Or Nodine signified his intention of enquiring further into the matter. PISPUTKD ACCOUNTS. Cr Wilson raised an objection to the payment of £1 Is to Mr Malcolm and £8 8a to Mr McCulloch for services as returning officers at the late election, and also to sums of £lO 8s 9d and £lO 10s placed on the pay-aheet for the same gentlemen respectively for services in connection with the water-races. He thought county officers should not expect extra payment if they undertook the duties of returning officers, end did the work in ordinary business hours. He did not so much object to Mr McCulloch being paid, but was strongly opposed to Mr Malcolm getting extra money for the duties. It was the principle he objected to. With regard to the water races, the Committee had recommended that Mr McCulloch be paid for hia extra services, for he bad done a great amount of work for them. However be was of opinion that the £lO previously granted was sufficient. Ho strenuously opposed any payment whatever being made to Mr Malcolm, who had done nothing that demanded extra consideration; in foot he should be glad to fill in his time, having little else to do. Mr Malcolm was undertaking private work all over the place, and it would be far better for him to stick to county business. Or Mcßoath thought it very bad taste for pew members of the Council to seot to these payments, which had been voted by the old Council in good faith, and were debts of honour. If they did not agree with the principle of county officers being paid for services as returning officers let them pass a resolution to that effect, but he urged them to pass the amount placed on the sheet now. Mr McCulloch here announced that be would not take anything for his services as returning officer, pud they could strike out the item, wJucb wai tpordtoffty dens,

Or NocKne opposed any of these accounts being passed. The old Council hdd pledged them for lots of things they should not have done, and they had come into the Council to clear up the mess. He also objected to Mr Malcolm undertaking outside work. Or Davies pointed out that the water-race work had been added to Mr Malcolm’s duties since he took the billet, and it was understood he was to receive some consideration for the work, and the Council should carry out that promise honourably. Or Venn said he could not object to Mr Malcolm undertaking outside work if he got a chance of doing it. Cr Macdonald strongly opposed the payments under the circumstances, their finances being in such a bad state. His opinion was that the old Council had been too liberal with their promises. The question was then put to the vote, and the amounts passed for payment by a majority of one, Ors Fieeman, Davies, Venn, Stephenson and Meßea h voting for the payment, and Ors Wilson. Macdonald, Monk and Nodine aja'nst.— Otaki Mail.