HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4936, 17 January 1877, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

•A special meeting of the Hutt County Council wa* held yesterday at noon at the Lower Hatt. There were present—Mr. Mason (chairman), and Messrs. Speedy, Taylor, Morgan, Dick, Lancaster, Monaghan, Smith, and Chew. MINUTES. . On the proposal to confirm the minutes of last meeting, Mr. Monaghan ibjected, on the ground that the names of those who had voted on different matters at that meeting did not appear. The names were therefore entered according to the votes given, and the minutes were then confirmed, on the motion of Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Dick. THE COUNTIES ACT. The most important business before the meeting was that which formed the subject of discussion at the previous and first meeting of the Hutt Council, namely, as to whether the whole of the Act should be brought into force. Mr. Taylok asked for permission to amend the resolution of which. he had given notice, so that it would read in the form following : " That it is the opinion of this Council that the whole of the Act should come into force within the Hutt County; and that copies of the resolution should be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary." He was induced to move in this direction, believing that it was necessary to accept the entire provisions of the Act, and that it was necessary a resolution of this kind should be passed, in conformity with certain sections of the Act, otherwise the •whole might remain in abeyance for a period of three months. Further, he was averse to the Act being worked jointly by the Council and the Highway District Boards, because in that case additional administrative power would be necessary. A good deal of discussion ensued, during which much of what was said on a previous occasion was repeated, and a certain amount of confusion prevailed. Mr. Moboan suggested that this should not be a special meeting, not being so within the meaning of the Act. The Chairman pointed out that there could be no doubt of the Act being already in force. A mistake in this respect had been made at last meeting, and it was unwise to perpetuate the error. The proper course was to put a negative motion as a test. Mn Dick, to bring the matter to a conclusion, moved that the third schedule of the Act Bball not come into force. [That schedule enumerates the sections of the Counties Act "which shall not come into force in any County the Council of which at its first meeting passes the resolution mentioned in the 11th section." Mr. Monaghan suggested that Mr. Taylor should withdraw his resolution, which was encirely out of order. A further discussion then arose as to the propriety of the present being called a special meeting. Mr Monaghan pointed out that all meetings of the Council must necessarily be special until certain days of meeting were definitely agreed upon. '.' Mr. Taylok explained that his intention had been that the whole question might be fully discussed, and while he should be willing to withdraw his motion, he contended that there was. a very great deal in the 12th and 13th sections of the Counties Act to justify him in bringing forward a motion of this kind; and he might state that Mr. Braudon was of the JBame opinion. The Chairman again pointed out that the Act was virtually in force already, and that all that was required now to the point was to put a negative motion before the meeting. Mr. Taylor's motion was thea withdrawn. Mr. Monaghan here drew attention to a branch subject. He complained that there would be two taxing bodies—the Council and Eoad' Boards—and this he thought would meet with opposition from the ratepayers. His opinion was that power should be left with the. Road Boards to levy a rate of Is. in the £, which would come much easier on the ratepayers, and he did not believe the Karori people would consent to give up their Eoad

Board. Moreover the Council could not take away the power given to the Road Boards unless a petition in that direction was signed by one-third of the ratepayers, and then a counter petition could be got up oppose it. Mr. Chew pointed out that the last speaker was departing from. : the question immediately before the meeting. ' , . • '.,.,, Mr. Morgan expressed a desire to be tola what Mr. Monaghan meant by two taxing bodies ; for, as he understood the case, the Council would alone have the power of levying At this point the Council were at a standstill for a time, as the Chairman could offer no solution of the difficulty, and in answer to an enquiry, the Secretary stated that there was no copy of the Public Works Act at hand. Mr. Dick's motion, that the third schedule of the Counties Act should not be brought into force, was then put, and negatived by 5 Mr. Morgan then moved,—"That the Chairman communicate with the Government jis to the following—l. To ascertain the approximate amount to be paid to the County under the provisions of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876, and when such sums will be paid. 2. As to what tolls are in existence in the County, their estimated revenue, and from what date the County will receive the tolls or rents. 3. Is the County liable for moneys already expended on County roads or works ; if so, from what date, and the amount." He believed that such a resolution was necessary under existing circumstances, and on receipt of the required information further proceedings could be taken. It was highly necessary that the main roads should receive proper attention, and it was requisite to know how they were to be maintained. Mr. Chew considered the motion premature, as it was impossible for the Government to give the information asked for until they were acquainted with the valuations of the different districts. The Chairman said he could answer the second question. There were only two tolls, and they were let for £2100,' but he could not say from what date the County would receive the rents. After some further discussion Mr. Morgan s resolution was amended to read thus:—" That the Chairman communicate with the Government as to the following : First, to ascertain the approximate amount to be paid to the County under the Financial Arrangements Act ; second, as to the date when the tolls will be handed over to the County Council ; and third, is the Council liable to maintain main roads, and if so, from what date and the amount ?" Mr. Speedy seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Lancaster then moved, —" That the Government be requested to supply.each member of the Council with copies of the following Acts :—The Financial Arrangements Act, 1876; Rating Act, 1876; Regulations of Local Elections Act, 1876 ; Public Works Act, 1876 ; and the Counties Act." Seconded by Mr. Chew, and carried. OFFICERS. Mr. Morgan moved, and it was carried,— "That a committee, consisting of the Chairman, Messrs. Chew, Taylor, Lancaster, and the mover, be appointed to consider what officers were necessary for the administration of the affairs of the County, the committee to report to the next meeting, and in the meantime to have the power of advertising for applications." NOTICES OF ASSESSMENT. The question arising out of last meeting of the Highway Board, as to the necessity of giving notices to the ratepayers of the valuation made, was brought forward by Mr. Taylor, who proposed that due notics should be given. A discussion ensued as to whether it was not the duty of the Road Board to give the notices, they having made the valuation. Mr. Smith seconded the motion, which was carried, and it was resolved to ask the Government to authorise the Chairman to frank the notices of assessment. PLACE OF MEETING. The Chairman read the letter sent by Mr. Chew to Mr. Bunny, in regard to finding accommodation for meetings of the Council, a committee having been appointed for that purpose. Mr. Bunny's reply to that letter was as follows: —"I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter, and in reply to inform you that I shall be prepared to place at the disposal of the Hutt County Council the hall in which the Provincial Council used to hold its sittings, and also a room for the use of the clerk, provided that the days of sittings are fixed so as not to interfere with the sittings of„the City Council; and further, that the Council will be prepared to give up the use of the chamber on receiving one month's notice from any person who may be at the time authorised to give such notice." It was resolved to accept with thanks Mr. Bunny's offer. KOAD BOARD EXPENDITURE. Mr. Morgan moved, and Mr. Speedy seconded, —" That the Chairman be requested to communicate with the Road Boards and Local Boards toascertain their probable expenditure for the current year, and that the Chairman he authorised to procure certified copies of the valuation books of each of the Road Boards and Local Boards." The motion was carried. BE THE CHAIRMAN'S SALARY. Mr. Morgan introduced the question, but as he was uot prepared to name a sum, they agreed to its postponement. AN OVERDRAFT. The Chairman was instructed to negotiate for an overdraft not to exceed £SOO. TIME OF MEETING. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Monaghan, seconded by Mr. Chew, that the ordinary meetings of the Council should be held in Wellington on the first Tuesday in each month at one o'clock p.m.