COUNTY COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3598, 8 July 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[We conclude our report of the pro« ceedings at the Council meeting yesterday.]

CORRESPONDENCE, With reference to the Postmaster's

letter re Tapu road it was resolved to forward it to Mr Brodie to endeavour to procure a grant for that purpose.—R« Mr Walker's letter, it was decided to request the Engineer to report on the alleged threat to close the road.—Messrs Bull and Perry's letter was referred to Water Race Committee.—lt was decided to pay the 5s cub hire of W. H. Taipari attending the Licensing Bench as Native Assessor, notwithstanding that Cr. Greenville spoke strongly against it, and requested a note to be made that he protested against what he considered an illegal expenditure.— It was resolved that the Chairman should supply Mr Stewart with the information he required re Fisher arid Co.'s claim for compensation.—lt was decided to request; Mr Kenny to appoint a local inspector of County abbatoirs, in place of Constable Day. It was resolved that the Council co-operate with the Pa tea Council in the matter of procuring legislation to constitute .County Councils ' Land Boards.—Mr Hawkes' letter asking extension of time for completion of the Tapu-Mercury Bay contract was referred to Board of Works. THE PUMPING SECURITIES. Crs Greenville and Deeble had lodged a written protest, addressed to Mr Carpenter, against the sale of the Caledonian and Golden Crown batteries.

Cr Greenville: Through you, Mr Chairman, I ask the Committee to explain why were these batteries sacrificed at such low prices, and why was there such unseemly haste in pushing them off * privately ? i .

Cr Dceble said he thought the proper* ties had been thrown away. When he was consulted .about the Caledonian he did not know that the property was free, hold.

The Chairman (Cr Porter) said he had been requested to go to Auckland on County business. Before leaving the Thames he learned that the New Zealand Insurance Co. bad foreclosed on the Golden Crown battery for £150, due them as rent for the site, and he then believed that there would be such a difficulty in settling the matter that he thought the Council would not get anything out of it. Through the exertions of the Chairman and Cr Brown, however, the matter was arranged satisfactorily, the New Golden Crown Company agree* ing to purchase it for £700. There thus came into the coffers of the Council £550 ne never expected. With reference to the sale of the Caledonian battery to A. and G. Price for £800, he might Bay that it was the only offer made for the property, and he was glad to see £1500 in the Council's coffers.

Cr Carpenter suggested that the discus, sion should be postponed till after the report of the committee was to hand. Aft a test let them put up the Imperial Crown battery, and see what it will bring. Cr Tiiorburn did not defend the action of the committee, but thought that the matter having been left in their hands they were entitled to act^as they thought fit. Let them not" talk about "sacrificing" the securities after selling the pump for £1200? .....-' Cr Brown said that he was quite willing to take his full share of the responsibility but thought it unmanly for' a member of the committee to endeavour to sneak out after he had signed the agree* ment. He might say that Cr Greenville had himself wanted to purchase a portion of the, Caledonian battery. He believed the price to be fair and reasonable. •

Cr Deeble said it was unmanly, unbusiness like, or un-any thing-else to hold hole and corner meetings. Cr Brown stated at the lust meeting at the Governor Bo wen that the battery should fetch £2000.

. Cr Brown gave the latter statement a flat denial.

Cr Deeble re-iterated the statement and said the property had been thrown away. He asked Cr Carpenter had he a written authority io sell the Caledonian battery. Cr Carpenter spid he had received nig instructions from the Committee. He receired a telegram from Brodie stating that the Committee wished the bargain with Price to be concluded at once* '' * >

Cr Brown said that the Caledonian Company and Messrs Fraser aiid Tinne bad been asked to make an offer for the Caledonian battery. Cr Greenville said he had asked that the'property be put up at auction. He had offered £100 cash on the nail for the berdans. The freehold was honestly worth tfce money, and the cleaning up of the site would bring £400..

Cr Coutis said if Cr Greenville's own ends had been met, there would hare, - been no trouble about it.

Cr Greenrille:T rise .to order?' Gt Coutts must not impute motive, The matter was then left in the hands of the Committee. '■ ; ' . PEf JTIONS. ' ■ •.■■-••'■ ' ■ / ■-" Cr Brown presented a petition from a ,'... number of Waitetrauri miners applying i. for a grant to>epair the. tramway whichK^?^ would materiCM-y lessen their expenses; The petition having been receiTedi Cr Porter said that the tramway had been ' erected by the yTaitekauri Company, Itwas out of repair * and they wished a little pecuniary assistance to repair it. About £100 would be required-^£sO now; and £50 some other time. . . . '

Or Brown said the proprieton! Tve*e willing Jo hand over the tramway to the v County. , - ; , : .. Cr Carpenter moved the reference of the matter to the Board of ; Cr Thprburu moved that ift>o be voted at ones for this work, but on the. suggestion of Cr Carpenter.it was resolved ttf refer the matter to the Engineer to ex. pend £50 on the tramway. Cr Green rille presented a*petition from IVjtr John May stating that his house was in danger from a slip caused by the cutting of the Karaka-Hape road. Eeferred to Engineer with power to act.

.. ? ■ EEPOBTS; r ' The report: published yesterday were read and adopted. ' -:

THE CHAIBMAN's SALABY. / Cr Thorburri then brought forward big resolution re the increase of the Chair* man's salary, the consideration of which was postponed from last meeting. jj e said that a change had come over the spirit of the dream of the gentleman who seconded his resolution at the last meet* • ing, but he was determined to push th«

matter to a division. He did not need <o refer to the Chairman's services to the County, and would leave the matter in their hands.*

Cr Deeble said that the parent-Govern-ment were going in for wholesale retrenchment, and as this was likely to be the last soramble, they might do well to follow their example. He could not see his way to support the resolution. Cr Brown spoke in support of the motion, saying that at the time of the reduction of salaries it had been done simply because the Council was in groat financial difficulties ; so great indeed, that he had consulted a solicitor to see if he, as a Councillor, could be made personally liable for the debts of the Council. They were now in a better position, aDd he thought the salary should be increased to the former amount. Cr Greenville thought that they could not afford to increase the salary. Cr Carpenter thought if the County was in a position to increase the Chairman's salary, they could afford to pay Councillors for their services. He estimated that Councillors gave 40 days a year to the service of the public. He moved that a committee consisting of Crs Porter, Thorburn, Deeble, and the mover be appointed to reconsider the decision of the Council relating to salaries and travelling allowances. This was carried.. The Council then adjourned. j