COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2500, 10 January 1877, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the County Council which was held for the first time yesterday, was resumed' to-day in the Warden's Court. All the Councillors were present. MINUTES. Mr Spencer read tho minutes of the meeting held yesterday, which, after a few slight alterations, were confirmed. INSPECTION OF SHEEP. Two letters from Mr C. H. J. Hill, Inspector of Sheep, enclosing copies of other letters received, were read. Cr Mitchell moved that the consideration of the letters be allowed to stand over until the next meeting of the Council. He himself had not been aware that they had an Inspector of Sheep. Cr Bagnall seconded the motion, which was carried. EEPOET^OF SUB-COMMITTEE. The following is the report of the Committee appointed to draw up a code of rules and standing ordftrs:— " County Council Chambers, " January 10th, 1877. " To the County Council of Thames. "In accordance with the order made on the ninth inst. that Messrs Spencer, 1 Brodie, Bagnall and Mitchell be a Committee to bring up a set of rules and standing orders for the guidance of the business and debates of the Council, I have the honor to report that your Com- i mittee have met, and have directed me to report that they have agreed upon a code of rules and standing orders, and have the honor to lay the same before you herewith. " C. F. Mitchell, " Chairman of Committee." Cr Mitchell said the rules were a copy of the rules of the Municipal Corporations Acl; which were again a copy of the rules of the Provincial Councils; which were again a copy of the rules of the House of Eepresentatives; and these were again a copy of the rules of the House of Commons. The report was adopted. Cr Mitchell then moved that the rules and standing orders be printed, and a copy supplied to each member before being finally adopted. After some further discussion as to whether a special order would be required it was resolved that they should be printed. " BIG- PUMP SECURITIES. The letter of Mr Whitaker, which we printed yesterday was again read over. The Chairman also read section 10 of the Act referred to in the letter.

Cr Bagnall said he thought that they knew no more about the matter than they did yesterday. He had looked into the question, but found that the report of the Committee appointed by the Provincial Council furnished no information on the matter. He thought the question had better be adjourned until at any rate after the conference of this afternoon.

Cr Mitchell thought they had nothing to do with conferences, and he thought that even if they did take over the securities they would not have a great catch. He had no desire to say all the uncharitable things he had heard, as he had great sympathy with those who had spent £70,000 in the work of sinking, but he did not think it was right to expend public money in what was a private undertaking, and one, moreover, which did not drain a large area. He would support Gr Bagnall's motion that the consideration of the question be deferred. He spoke very strongly against carrying on the works of the Big Pump, arguing that it was not likely that they would find gold at the deep levels, and if it was urged that a collapse must ensue if the Pump was stopped it would be better that the collapse should occur at once. He thought it would be well.if the chairman be requested to ask for further information. •

Cr Bagnall spoke further in support of his motion. > * The motion of Cr Bagnali was then put and carried.

sal'ahies.

The question of salaries was then introduced.

Gr Bagnall proposed that the offices of Clerk and Treasurer be combined and the salary be £200. Cr Coutts seconded the motion.

Cr Mitchell was opposed to the combination of the two offices. He thought that. though the treasurer might not at first have much work to do, yet that hereafter he .would have a good deal, and read extracts setting forth the duties expected of these officers. He would prefer to fix the salary lower, and make the two offices distinct. •

Cr Bagnall thought if the offices and salary were divided they would not get a competent person as treasurer for £100. a year, and pointed out that it was within the power of the Council to separate the offices at any time. Cr Mitchell said that to test the feeling of the meeting he would propose that the office'of treasurer be separate from that of clerk.

Cr Thorp seconded the resolution. The amendment was then put, and there appeared three for and three against the amendment, the Chairman also voting against it.

Cr Mitchell questioned the right of the Chairman to vote.

The Chairman replied that he had both a vote and a casting vote. The resolution was then put, and carried by a majority of four to three. SUBVEYOB. Cr Bagnall thought the consideration of this question should be postponed until they found out what the probable amount of their revenue would be.

The Chairman thought they ought to have a surveyor at once j they had many important works which should be undertaken at once, and he considered there was no more important officer required by the Council than a surveyor.

Cr Bagnall thought they should go into the question of ways and means first, as he did not see where the money to pay the salaries of their officers was to come from. ■

Cr Mitchell pointed out how money could be raised by rates, without loans or overdrafts. At the same time he concurred in the postponement of the matter. The Chairman thought the immediate appointment of a surveyor was imperative.

Cr Mitchell moved that a surveyor be appointed at £400 a year. He made this amendment to test the feeling of the Council. They really wanted a good man, and would have to pay for him, and in the end it would come cheaper. He spoke against the mean policy which had kept

money in the treasury and prevented them from having a bridge over the Kauaeranga, the want of which had cost 20 lives. They wanted roads and wanted a competent man to make them ; he objected to " the cheap and nasty business*" forming part of their policy. The Chairman thought £400 a-year rather a large sum to give at first. Cr Mitchell said he would defer to the opinion of the Council, and if they preferred £300 a-year he would agree to it.

Cr Bagnall again argued in favor of having the matter postponed, at the same time he would rather see the salary raised to £500 than lowered, as to get a good man it was necessary to pay him, and a good man might instead of costing them £1000 or £1500 save them that sum.

Cr Mitchell's amendment, seGonded by Councillor Coutts, that a surveyor be appointed at a salary of £300 a year, was then put, and carried by a majority of four to three. VALTTEBS. Cr Mitchell then moved that valuers be appointed, and tenders for the work to be done, called for. Cr Bagnall moved that the question be postponed until the next meeting. The motion of Cr Mitchell was seconded by Cr Thorp and carried; and it was agreed that Crs Spencer, Bagnall,' and Thorburn be a committee to draw up specifications. COLIicTOES. ! Cr Mitchell said he would make a similar motion with regard to collectors. The question was agreed to be postponed. BANK. It was agreed that the Chairman, Crs SpeDcer and Mitchell wait on the Bank managers and see which would offer the most satisfactory terms in the event of an overdraft being required. The Council then adjourned until half past seven o'clock this evening.