COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 407, 11 January 1877, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The County Council of Matiietofco met on Thursday at Court House, Ivaseby, at noon. There wa3 a fall attendance of Councillors. Mr Holland was appointed to preside. Mr Brown moved, and All- Stewart seconded— That Mr Shannon be Chairman. Mr Turnbull, as an amendment, proposed—Mr Adam Holland. The Council then adjourned till '2 p ui. for mutual fonsuHnti"!! A!. the aiU-m<»oa uiCuuii the amenduzfnt

proposed TSirtibliil Was objected to, ea having lapsed for want of a aecoiider. by Mr Williamson, who proposed jur Mr Stuart seconding the amendment. Mr Forster then proposed—Thac Mr' Holland be Chairman. While regretting' the necessity of opposing Mi* shannon, he wc-Jrld,-if lie supported him, be giving a vote at variance to the interest, of the district- he ?a-~ presented. Mr Laverty seconded ilr Foster's auiey.l-' inent.

Mr Shannon: Previously to the vote being taken } I may state I have no par. icuiarJambition to be Chairman. As to the 'remark that the interest I represent is diainr trickily opposed to that of Mr Foster, I cannot ao« that it is so in any way. I will willing to withdraw, with the consent of my nominators.

Mr Ewing : 1 intend to vote for Mr Rolland. Ido not think. I could find the time necessary to attend to the duties of the office at the same time, if elected* 1 will do the best I can.

Tjiu amendment Was then put, and the votes were being taken, when Mr Shannon said: Do I Mr Ewing, that you will vote for Mr Holland. Mr Bwing : Yes, Mr Shannon: Xhefa I think, I shall- bs hardly justified in withdrawing; Mr Brown : As the, proposer of Mr Shannon I shall not bs justified in assenting. I consider Mr Ewing has done wrong in leading Mr Shannon to believe he would accept the Chairmanship. Mr Ewing: I beg to correct Mr Brown. As there were two parties, neither of which was confident, I consented to be putin nomination. *;

Amendment put—ayes : Messrs Laverty, Turnbull, Ewing, Foster,. <Rolland ; noes— Messrs Shannon, Stuart, "Williamson, and Brown: • . •

Mr Holland : In taking upon myself tie position of Chairman, 1 feel very keenly the honor you have done me. I hope now tko election is decided we shall agree to wbTk together, and that all ill-feeling that may have arisen will be laid aside. Mr Williamson : There was no ill-feeling Mr Holland -.1 am glad to hear it. Although without much experience, I shall dor the best I can, and hope you will support me by that courteous deportment and de--meanor which are essential to the good, conduct of, our business. The first question wag as to whether they should come, or not come, under the Act. The Council at present have no data With regard to the Works, we know nothing as to what they are going to cost. A Committee might be of assistance to us. .

Mr Brown : Would.it be necessary to appoint a pro. tem. Secretary. The Chairman : I think it would be well to avoid all expense. We have no funds, and it is all expense. We have no funds, and it is a little difficult to see where they are to come from.

It was then suggested that the Government should be written to in reference to their views with regard to the works, but the ma* jority of members thought that it would bo time enough .when the (Government made the first move.

; Mr Turnbull ultimately proposed that the G-overnment should ba-written to.

An amendment to the contrary was carried, the voting being.7 t0.2.

A discussion then wa3 commenced as to the desirability of. constituting, and whether, if communications were received from Wellington in reference to the work, a special meeting should not be summoned. The Chairman was empowered to, call the Council together at any time, if necessary, and the next ordinary kneeling was Used for the second Thursday in March, to settle the question of constituting or not.

Mr Foster wanted to know if a special meeting were called to discuss a propositioufrom the Government re works would not the discussion really'be. Shall 'we coino under the full Act or nor. ? He did not wish it to be so, but he thought the proposition submitted to the Council would be a proposition by the; Govenment to give up the works. Before the Council elected to take over the Head Race they must first elect to come under the Act.

It was agreed that the special meeting should be merely a meeting for consideration.. ;The Chairman was authorised to arrange 7 " 1 as to what place of meeting could be aecured :r for the next meeting of the Council. -