WAIRAEAPA WEST COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1043, 10 April 1882, Page 2

WAIRAEAPA WEST COUNCIL.

A meeting of the above County Council was held at the; Council iOhambera, Cat* terton, on Saturday laati'i^Present—Ore Booth (cliaiuifan), McQuaftio, Jackson,' Braithwaite, Phillips, McGregor, Donald, Matthews and Chamberlain, 7::.- -.-•'.": NBff wembbks. ..... ....... The Clerk—there being when the meeting opened no chairman—read the report 'of ; the 'returning' offioer on the ■ recent elections, and culled upon Grs Mat (hewn and Braithwaite to take tlxoir seats. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN. The Clerk Btnted that the first business beforo the meeting would bo the election of a chairman.

CrMcGrogor proposed that Cr Booth be ohairmau, believing that he possessed the necessary qualification for the office. Or. Phillips interrupted to state that they must first elect a chairman of the meeting, before they proceeded to elect a' chairman of tho County/ _ CrMcGrogor said that by their standing orders thoy followed ithe rule of the House of Representatives on the present occasion, and the practice there was for the Clerk to preside. ' '■ i Cr Phillips waived his objection, Mr McGregor, proceeding, :said it was of the hrst importance that their chairman should bo thoroughly competent, with a thorough knowledge of the working of the County, and of the requirements of the district; They had been fortunate in their late .■■chairman, aud if they elected Cr . Booth he was assured that they would be fortunate m their future one, Cr Booth resided, in the vicinity of the Council Chambers.. A Rood deal of: the County work had to be done through the Governmerit, and it was important 'that their ohdlrmau should be infrequent com-' munioation with Ministers. No other Councillors' business took him so frequenty to Wellington as Cr Booth's did, and he .would have better opportunities of doing the work of the Council for this reason. 'He had every confidence that the affairs of the Council in ljii hands would be we}l conducted. '

Cr Jackson seconded the nomination as he was of the ppinidn that the chafrrqan should, reside near tlje Gounod. Cbambpr.B. Mr Booth was formerly chairman of "the Council, and if he was qualified then he was qualified now. ' •' ; The Clerk put the resolution, which was carried unanimously on tho voices, and with applause, *Cr Booth on taking the chair said, I am very sensible of the .kjnd'ness ivljich you have done me, though I dp not presume fpr a- moment 'P cjaim tljo position on thp qualifications with wjjicii you have been gopd enough to credit nje, I shall be happy fodc'thj begt I can jn cpnjunotion with Counpillors for tb,o .benefit of the ..district, and J.am gjojj to be associated wifh the gentlomen around mp. I Way congratulate thp Council on the addition of Ore Matthewß and Braithwaite to its number, as I do not think better selection? could have been made in the ridings wbjcl) thpy represent. There is, pn the present pccasion no nepd fp indicate jny spocja} views op qugstipns )jke)y to arise before the Council,- jj will he more convenient to do so from lime to •time as they come on for discussion, I again thank tho Councillors for the honor which they have conferred upon me, (ApplaUsS.) •■ ■ ■

THEPEOTEST. Cf? Phillips. I exceedingly regret to record 'a pr.otest oil this pppasion. I think old PojincilJbM" wjll" romombar former dijcussfqns'pii these mgftprß.' I assure flip Qouhejl fhjjft it is'npt"from any personal feeling (hat J sneak, Undpr clause 51 of the Act I have a right to protest against Or Booth's election as chairman, The point is this: I think during theluii session of Parliament a Bill was inti ml need into tho Houso to enable Chairmsn of Counties to be elected by the groat body of electors and not by the Ciij'noil, 'j;hp Bill waj withdrawn, but it nifty be l bfbught forward again next session. ''l cbiisidei"'tliaVin tho'Went appointment a alight injustice 'has 'been done' to "Cr Donald 'and : 'myself who 'are the poly origma.l memborsbf the Council, When'l entfipl'% duuncjl I committed an injustioe, and because f do jjofwls'l) to see a similar injustifio' committed on 'the present occasion' I'record'tliis 'protest, The' injustice Icom'mitted'Waa'this: The first vote Igaya'B'&s for' t'Jje election of a \ ohainnan. ' ' '"', ( '' " _ The chairman: I think it is hardly desirable to take up the time' of the Chuncil with' jthis matter,' Urder tho standing drdflro'for which I understand Cr Phillips is mainly time' days notice must Bo given of any protest bqfora if can be 'considered. ' " Cr Phillips: I think in giying notice of a protest I have a right to explain'my reasons fop so dojng. '• ' _ The'snairrnan: Tlje effect pf a discussion now is a wa'afVof yaluabje fime, as if nptice bp giyen the same' discussion will bo repeated:a£pnr. npxt me'efiiig, Cr Phillips said ho was nop sure fhftt l|o would be present at the next meeting, and therefore would ask for a hearing then, ■■"••

_ Or iVfcfifregop, whjlo upholding tho ruling of flip Chairman, suggpsted that as Or Phillips intjm&ted that ho wpuld l|avp nq other opportunity of explaining himself tho standing orders should bo waivod in his favor.

Or Donald supported Or McGregor's proposal on tho understanding that if Cr Phillips intended to remain in the Council the standing orders should not be suspended in his favor, but if he intonded retiring from it he should have the opportuujty'ijf sppaMng op fjjp present occasion, '■•' ■•' ~:. '' <' ,; 'i' _ Cr Macquarrio thought that tho Council might hear whatCr Phillips had to say without diacußsing tho question he raised. Tho Chairman said he was very willing to givo effect to the wishes of the Council, but aßked for them to be expressed by a lormal resolution, suspending standing order fjl, . On the motion of pr McGregor, seconded by Gr Ronald, f;he sta'ncjjng order was suspended,' ' ' •' '

Or Phillips thanked the Council for the 4ecisjop it had armed at, hut tli'ought it was hardjy fair fo fprpe hipji fo Bay whether he intended to resign or no, . Or Donald! Seeing that you are supposed to understand tbe standing orders better than nny of us, ifis strange that you should be the one to violate them, i Cr Phillips: "We will let that matter pass, I said that in voting for the Chairman I did an injustice. I knew Mr Pharazyn, and I did not know Mr Booth, and voted for Mr Pharazyn, My vote decided tbo electiqn, and Cr Booth resigned; There aif now five n'eif'Oo'u'hfiilIqrs i« the Council, and I Bay' if is hardly fair of thesp new members, not knowing what has taken place in the past, to cpme in and elect a new man over an old one. •! The phairman; I think I must ask Or Ph)lhpsnpt to go into that aspect of the quesjion. Any Councillor, wupther he has been in the- Council a day or twenty years, has a perfect right to give his vote. I would ask Or Phillips to bring, forward any other ground on which he founds his protest.

. Cr Phillips said there was the introductfon of the Bill in Parliament to give the ratepayers the right to elect the Cljajr. man, The Chairman asked if that was the only ground? Or Phillips said he had nothing further testate, except to thank the Council fov Ine patient hearing which it had given.

He had always ''s&i his:best' for the 'Counoil. V ! 's%-;: ' The Treaaurtr then read his report, which stated that the bank debtor hAnce was i 4 12s 4oTThe receipts sinc*a3t 'meeting were:—Dog registration, wWir». rapa North, £l2los4d; Wairarapa South, £6l3s 7d; Colonial Treasury, £690 1U sd; transfer of licenso fee, i2; Tara-talii-Carterton Highway-Board,i32lßa 4d; Carterton Local Board, £l2 10s. Refund—Engineer's imprest account*, £45 14s Id, The balanca.Bheet for tbe past half year was tabled,

'' FINANCE- COMMITTEE, On the motion of Or.McGregor, seconded by Or Chamberlain, the names of Crs Matthews and Braithwaite were added to the Finance Committee, and on the suggestion of Cr Donald the Chairman wu appointed to act on the same committee. GRAVEL. An application from J. M, Davies, in the Fahiatua district, wasread, asking lor permission to remove gravel, and was referred to the Engineer.,.' !v :: , THE WELLINGTON COBJORAIIONItE».iIVE, An application was tec*ed/asking what steps had been taken jowsrds laying off the road through the Reserve. • The Clerk reported that he had given the information which was applied for. WASTE LANDS BOAB1).'" The Board wrote to inquire what toads were being formed and were about to be formed by the Oouuty. ■ .. ' Or Phillips proposed to indicate to the Board roads which it was desirable to have formed. _ - ' ; . The Chairman said this might be'dourable, but it was quite; beside the application before themi ' ..' :•;■',• ■.■■■■'■*■ Cr MoGregor moved', that the EngU neev give the Board the information asked for. The point raised by Cr Phillips was too remote from the question before them to be then considered by them.—Lotter referred to Eneineer. '■"■'<'■■.■■

MASTEBTON HIGHWAY BOAKD. A letter was read front the Board ob« jeoting to a charge made for survey by the County Engineer. \ - : ; Cr McQuatria explained thai tlplinrr vey in question at' $ iraumea had. .beef} made by jfte bounty at the wariest of t|}g Board, ]jut that' as there wa&a'%vern : meut vote for'this rqad tl)e ought to ba charged against it instead of totheßpard, On the in'otion pf (Jr WcG,regoiJ, tlje. matter was referred for inyestigatiqn to f,he Finance Committee.

TOWN BOARD HCENSE FEES, ■ An application was read from the Fear therstpn Tqwn Board, jnquirjng if the County plajnipd its license fee*.,! , ■. T}jgChpirif)an; TJjb of keeping the foes is mora important than tl)at' prolaimjng tljßm. The Clerk reported tl|at tho Ijfu.ll County Qquucil had decided, mi tlie aa 1 - vice pf Mr gravers', that the fees belonged to the Towii Boards, Cr Donald, as a member of the Town Board in question, said it did not desire to unduly press the matter to .a settleinent. but 'ft was desirable to consider whotlier jt wquioj not it hy"j iest pjjsq'.. '" '* ," .iV'"'!' TJ)o Qjiaipraan atjvocated; letting thematter stand over foj- another the interim flouclusive evidence wojild .t]§ likely to come forward in the press from, different parts of the colony which would, satisfy the Council.. He would himself be «lad \q p§9 tfto revenue retained by "the Local Boards, ■"■' "■'■■'■

_lt wasagreed to adjourn the consideration of tlje letter to the next meeting. W- - 4n application was' rej'ejvfld, froii) % \\ Thoipp Price fot'"'j)ermis.si'oq jp.lay a ' tramway from Dafefield to ! ' Tarafehj, oroßsi.ng the main road, ;' \ ■",',.{.... Tne Chairman pointed but that it. war' desirable in the interests of the district to" they enabled timber which would otherwise be waßted ' to be brought into the market and Bold. The conversion of worthless timber into mopey ps a great advantage to the community," ' _Oil the motion of (Jr Braithwaite permission woi granted, subject to condition's and stibulations'\vhlch had been laid ddW. ina'fdrnlerapplication.' '■"'" •'.''' p ffas'vmortbd'thaf ■'Mr Chevy had not , fuilled'alUhp condition's whioli he'had hndertak'eii iii coiiheolioii with the" tramway whrctiheMd I'aict down,'and ftiyaa resolved'that he should b'e'directed 1 to do ppaton'oe:' '' '' : L '' ;l • J

wajownb mim. The engineer statod tbai'lie had. not a3 yet given permission to pull down the old bridge. •' ' . .-' >•-'••■'' '• '' • doo jEaijpipoij. Registrar for Wairarapa North VatjJ that He expected certificates of exemptigl frpm'fees jn tjie case ofrabbit 'dogs to bo presented to liitn and askjng fop instructions as to tjje cgufKg vyhicli He should aijopt. ' ": ThcOhajfinan said the. ppsjtion qf tl|» fi°f»fl) "PpeaN to |jp a ftW«w4 QRg, Jt tyoijld. be in>re'a'tipg {q know wjtethep thj Oo«noil oqq|4 ghaip owners with co)lay. 8 .. Crphijlipswept at spmelpngth into the legal ppeed of t|}e • qqeption. TheCommittee (0r Phayaayn aqd hiiuself,)-in' the view they took thought tHey were right, He throw the blame on theoon. flict of the Aots and thought the Government should help them oat of the diffi. culty.

Cr McGregor: Do you think the Council should proceed with registration. Cr Philips: I think we shoild refer tho roattpr'to the Colonial Seoretary; Cr Chamberlain; How. about those pwneis who fiayp paid !' • ' " ' '"'" ■ Oy Wp.l J Blink thpywill been., titled to a rofund. Tho Chairman said he thought registration was compulsory ..but not the supplying of a collar. He suggested charging for a collar to recoup ths Council for tho cost of registration; Cr McQiiarrio' considered that this would lead them into further difficulties' i, P F r n § t°Ws ife 8 'would. helptosqtßetljpSlQulty;: "' "* The Cljajrman fhat the gentle. men who had, taken thequestiqnup were face the d#u!ty w it the fee and C L! plate tho vegistration, It was decided that the Chairman should communicate;with the Colonial Seoretary on thesubject and that in the interim inspectors certificates, should be received. ••■■-■■ T -V"

Or Braithwaite expressed an opinion thrt if they talked for a veek they conld do nothing more. The ohairmau suggested that they should elecj from the works in their schedule sufficient to absorb the qqanVrQ. pr.ated_ balance of the La.PvifJ also bring forward a list for a new vote in the pomiag seqsipo, QrMcgregor. said the ohairman ha 4 or his guidance the schedule adopted by the Council and he thoughtthat he could interview the authorities and make the best arrangements which werepraotioable. The soonerthe£B,ooo votewasiexpended the better. He strongly advocated apend. mg money on the Wangaehu line, as it .would open up a large tract of fine countiy fit for aettlemeat. : The chairman said he understood that it was the wish of the Council to divide the balance available between the Wangaehu, theDreyerßook, and the louth Lgi! tunuu lines, e

"WAIPOUA BRIDGE. •'- The Engineer reported' that he fad V ? MiK w6fk not done in.Hie'channel f £lo °- % amount due to the-con-tractor for extrfts wis :'£2o,.leaving a balance of -in favoro'f iho.County. ,-, On the motion of Or McGrefjor Becon-' flea by. Cr Chamberlain it was' decided wter Bouio discussion to rolievo the oontractor from'this claim of £80; the ont»i- j heer expressing an opinion. that the \york donowns worth more than tho amount paid for it, and the arguments used tit the" former meeting boing again brought forward. •■•''/ ■■■- '■'■' ;■■■•-■■ ,:• AUIIEDTOJI-liKKTAHUNAtiNE..' •'.'" On the motion ,pf dc ■ Macqtiamo tlie tho engineer was instructed to effect necessary repairs on tho above line out of ■£49 collected for the purpose* •,'.' , MAURU'EYILLK COMPENSATION. On tho motion of Or Chamberlain seconded by Of> McGregor the; Treasurer was authorized to pay tho mpney due to Mauricoville settlors for compensation. The Engineer reported Hint the surveys incidental to taking over the land were'now completed,. AJiMstothe amount nf £696 12a been passed for payment the Council adjourned.