HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5823, 27 November 1879, Page 3

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of the Hutt County Council was held yesterday at the Council Chambers. Present :—Thomas Mason, Esq. (Chairman), Councillors Taylor, Monaghan, Dick, Smith, Speedy, Lancaster, Chew, and Morgan. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous ordinary monthly meeting were read and confirmed, ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Chairman said the business of the Council was to elect a chairman for the ensuing year. They had done him the honor to elect him twice to the office, and he thought the time had come when it was advisable to make a change, so that each member should have the honor in turn. By this means they would not get into one grove, for each chairman would direct the affairs of the Council according to his light. Councillor Chew said there appeared to be a general feeling that there should he a change, although the Council were all satisfied with the manner in which Mr. Mason had done his duty. Ho moved that Councillor Taylor be elected Chairman for the ensuing year, and thought that gentleman would serve them faithfully. Councillor Smith seconded the motion, and thought a change from year to year would be beneficial. He considered Mr. Mason had been a good chairman. Councillor Spekdt moved, as an amendment, that Councillor Morgan be elected chairman. Councillor DIOK seconded. The candidates having retired, the nominations were put to the vote, with the following result :—Taylor, 4 ; Morgan, 3. Councillor Taylor was consequently declared elected. Councillor Chew proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring chairman for his past services. Councillor Lancaster seconded, and said he believed Mr. Mason had conducted the business of the county satisfactorily to all. He hoped the new chairman would give the same satisfaction. The ex-Chaieman, in reply, thanked the Councillors for their expression of opinion, and said he thought in local bodies there should be such changes from time to time. He trusted that, whatever chairman was iu office, he would endeavor to keep the expenditure within the means of the Council. Mr. Mason then retired from the chair. The Chairman-elect, having taken the chair, thanked the Council for the honor they had done him, and trusted that by his exertions and their help he would continue to retain their confidence. RESIDENCE FOR ROADMAN. Councillor Mason asked the Council to give the engi- eer a small sum to put up a house on the road between Kaiwarra and Ngahauranga for the roadman to live in and keep bis tools in. At present he had to live at a publichouse, and keep his tools anywhere. The Engineer said he had received an offer to erect a suitable wharo for the purpose for £26. After some discussion, a motion by Councillor Mason, seconded by Councillor Chew, to the effect that £26 be expended for the purpose, was carried. road metal. A letter was read from Mr. Oakes, Kaiwarra, offering a quantity of crushed stone to the Council at 6s. per yard. The Engineer, in reply to the Chairman, said they were already getting atone carted and broken up at 4s. 6d. per yard. On the motion of Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Speedy, Mr, Oakes’ offer was declined. HEW LINE OF ROAD. The Chairman said he had received an application from Mr. Earp, asking that the Council give instructions to the engineer to lay off a line of road through section 20, Horokiwi road district, to section 23. He (the chairman) had made inquiry, and had found that two years would elapse before the Crown grants would mature, and as it was only necessary to give a right of road and have it gazetted, he thought the application might be granted. Councillor Smith thought the application should have been sent to the Highway Board of the district, instead of to the Council. A long discussion ensued, no motion being before the Council. Ultimately, Councillor Chew moved that authority be given the engineer as requested, and Councillor Smith moved as an amendment that the application be referred to the Highway Board. The amendment was lost, and the motion declared carried. The Council then rose.