PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 182, 6 January 1877, Page 2

PATEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the new County Council was hold on Thursday last, at noon. All the Councillors were present, viz., Messrs Sherwood, Dale, and Honeyfield, for the Otoia Riding ; Messrs Kenah, Bridge, and Kells, for the Waverly Riding ; and Messrs Livingstone, Middlemas, and Winks, for the Ilawera Riding. As a matter of course, the preliminary business was not of very great importance, excepting as far as arranging for future. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The first matter was the election of a Chairman, but this took little time, there being no opposition. Mr Bridge was appointed temporary Chairman. The discussion on the subject was very short. It was moved by Mr Livingstone, and seconded by Mr Kenah, “That Mr Thomas Kells be Chairman of the Council.” This was agreed to, and there being no other candidate, Mr Kells was unanimously elected. Mr Sherwood asked leave to make a few remarks, before tho business of the Council proceeded. When the Counties Bill was passed, be announced bis intention of standing for the chair. He did not canvass, and was in all respects an independent candidate. Others did, and he hardly considered the means they adopted were fair, so much so that he thought it highly probable that he would appeal to a court of justice in reference to some of the aspersions cast upon him. It had been stated that if he was not elected Chairman he would retire, but he denied this in the most emphatic terms, for he intended to hold to his place and endeavor by all means, possible to carry out the Act as far as he was personally concerned. He made some further remarks relative to the personal attacks he had been subjected to, and sat down.. On taking the chair, Mr Kells expressed his great thanks to the Council for the high compliment they had paid him, but regretted that they bad not elected a better man. He would do his best to justify that confidence, but, in the meantime, he

admifled that he was not as well versed in the Counties and corresponding Acts as he should be. This however, he promised to repair at an early date. COUNTY QUARTERS. Mr Sherwood brought under the notice of the Council the necessity there was for having suitable offices, and moved “ That the Chairman he respectfully requested to ask the Government for the use of a portion of the Immigration barracks, Carlyle, for the use of the County Council, as a place to bold meetings, and for offices.” This was seconded by Mr Bridge and carried. ; VALUATION. I : Mr Middlemas pointed out that under the 6th clause of the Rating Act, it was absolutely necessary that a valuation of the County rateable properties should be made before the 15th January. Owing to the time that the Council met this was almost impossible, but power to extend the time was given to the Governor, and he thought an application to that effect should be made. Mr Kenah admitted the impossibility of making the valuation within the time, but suggested that the valuations of the various Road Boards should be accepted. This led to a very long discussion, but resulted in the following resolution, moved by Mr Middlemas, seconded by Mr Sherwood, being carried —“ That the Chairman telegraph to the Colonial Secretary to enquire if it would be legal for the County Council to adopt the valuation rolls of the several Road Boards within the County, or must the Council have a separate valuation.” TEMPORARY CLERK. On the motion of Mr Middlemas, seconded by Mr Livingstone, Mr William Cowern was appointed temporary clerk, till a final appointment was made. BOOKS, STATIONERY, &C, The Chairman was authorised to procure all the books and stationery necessary to cany on the business with. Also to make arrangements for a seal. OPERATION OF THE COUNTIES ACT. Mr Kenah wished to take the opinion of tne Council as to whether it was advisable to bring the Act in, in its entirety, and vote for its immediate operation. All the roads were vested in the Road Boards of the County, excepting the main roads, and those bodies were perfectly capable of managing them. He objected to the heavy rates that would be imposed in case of the Act being brought into full operation. He argued at some length that it would be better to postpone bringing the permissive clauses into operation, and urged that great changes would be made next session, and probably more members would bo added. He thought, therefore, that it would be better to postpone bringing the Counties Act into full force till after next session. They had the power to arrange that only the smaller portions of the Act, as defined in clause 11, he brought into operation at the present time. He concluded by moving—“ That only part of the Counties Act, as defined by section 11 of that Act, be brought into force in this county.” Mr Bridge seconded the motion, arguing in support that the local bodies were doing all that could be expected, and would fulfil all the requirements desired. Mr Sherwood was profoundly surprised at the questions raised. After, for years, seeking local self-government they had now got it, and had no right to shirk any responsibility attached to it. The question was as to who would be compelled to work the Road Boards, and whether the Council should not at present provide, as far as was in their power, for any defective legislation. There were difficulties in connection with the Act, but it would be wise to allow them to be solved by time instead of taking the subordinate position proposed by Mr Kenah. He referred to the probably large land endowment of the County, and showed that if the Council dis-endowed themselves of power, by passing such a resolution as proposed, they would have no power at all. Mr Middlemas was surprised at the resolution, which if carried would do nothing hut breed confusion. It was quite impossible for Road Boards to carry out the duties of the General Government in reference to main roads, and, so far from seeing the County powers curtailed he would prefer to see them increased. The Road Boards had not the power to even carry on their own works, still less to open up the country. Members must remember that there was in the County an enormous hush country, much of win ah the Road Boards would have nothing to do with Such work in connection with this part of the County would have to be done under supervision such as Road Boards could not give, and, taking things altogether, might be impossible. Mr Bridge strongly supported the motion, but left it to the Council to act as they chose. Mr Dale expressed an opinion favorable to the Act being brought into force at once. If there wore any defects in the Act they could be ascertained by its being brought into working, and then remedied by the General Assembly. The Chairman expressed an opinion that tne Road Boards must succumb, and that it would be to the injury of the ratepayers if they had to give way. Mr Kenah replied, alleging that those who desired the establishment of the county wished to create a class of officials. Ho denied the rating powers of the Board, and said that all they could do was to provide for hospitals and make blunders. He referred specially to Whenuakura. On the motion being put, Messi-s Kenah and Bridge were the minority. Other business was discussed, the chief point being the valuation question, but that was postponed till next day. STANDING ORDERS. Mr Sherwood moved that Messrs Bridge, Middlemas, and the mover be appointed a committee to draw up Standing Orders, to report to the Council at their next meeting. This was agreed to, Mr Livingstone seconding it. MAPS. It was also resolved that the fullest maps possibleof county boundaries should be procured, APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. A good deal of discussion took place on this head. Mr Middlemas moved that the remuneration to a clerk and treasurer should be £3OO per annum, and that advertisements calling for applications should be inserted in the

Patea Mail, the Taranaki Herald , the Neto Zealand Times , and the Wellington Evening Post . He said they hoped to get a gentleman of high class, and therefore it was necessary to give so large a scope to the advertisements. The next question was as to the salary, and after a discussion sf some time, after proposals and amendments had been discussed, it was resolved that £250 per annum should be the salary. Some unimportant business wound up the sitting, which was then adjourned till 10 o'clock yesterday. | FRIDAY’S SITTING. The Council met again on Friday morning chiefly for the purpose of receiving the reply'of the Government to the telegram sent them in reference to the rating. There were present, the Chairman, Messrs W. Dale, Livingstone, Sherwood, Middlemas, and Winks. After the minutes of the previous meetinghad been confirmed it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Sherwood, seconded by Mr Livingstone, “ That the Chairman procure a map of the County, showing all surveys at present in existence and a sketch map on a reduced scale, showing outlines of Road Boards and ridings." THE COUNTY ENGINEER. Mr Middlemas proposed, and Mr Sherwood seconded “ That a circular letter be sent to the Chairmen of all the Road Boards within the County, asking whether their Boards would wish the services of the County Engineer. A reply to be requested before the next meeting, as the Council, as to future action, would, to some extent, be influenced thereby,” The proposal was agreed to. VALUATION. A reply to the telegram sent by the Council was received from the Undersecretary, Mr G. S. Cooper, and ran as follows :—“ See 65th section of Rating Act, which will answer your question. The County Council can use no other, but Road Board valuation, rolls.” This settled the valuation matter, and after a little discussion, it was agreed that the next meeting of the Council should take place on the 6th of February next. The Council then adjourned.