WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 914, 16 January 1872, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Council met on Wednesday last ; all the members present except Mr E. B. Fox.

THE CHAIBMAN's SPEECH

Gentlemen, —In accordance with the County of Westland Act, I have called you together for the consideration of the business which will be necessary for me to lay before you. I will lay on the table the accounts which are required by the Act. Referring to the statement of assets and liabilities, it will be seen that the debt of the County on the 31st December, 1871, amounted to £14,G67 14s, against £10,225 of assets, leaving a deficit of £4442 14s. It will also be seen that the liabilities remaining unpaid on account either of the votes being expended, or of the accounts being rendered too late, amount to £879 2s lOd. The respective items of £SOOO and £I2BB 4s 2d are due to the Bank of New Zealand—the first on deficiency bills, and the latter as a mere nominal overdraft. The item of £7500 is due to the Geueral Government against our share of the sinking fund, which is stated to be £10,000; but it is probable that the amount will be found to be much larger. With reference to the amount due to the General Government as to the balance of the Consolidated Fund account which I referred to on the occasion of last addressirig you, I am unable to state precisely what the sum now is, because no accounts have been received from the Colonial Treasury since June last. As I before explained, the unexpended balance of the capitation allowance has always been devoted to the reduction of this debt, which by this must on that accouut be very materially reduced. It will be seen that none of the liabilities can be considered pressing engagements. I regret to state that the revenue for the financial half-year just ended has not nearly realised the estimated amount. Tou will perceive that the receipts show a deficiency of £2475 18s Id upon the amount estimated, although, compared, with the receipts of the previous six months, it is only £B4B 9s 7d. The deficiency on gold duty amounts to £756 3s 4d; on spirit licenses, £445 10s; on incidental receipts, £333 6s Id; on tolls, punts, and ferries, £3OS 10s lid—altogether amounting to £2781 Is 6d, against which an increase is shown in land revenue of £129 5s Bd, aud in mining revenue, &c, of £174 17s 9d —altogether amounting to £304 3s 6d. The decrease in the gold duty is merely nominal, as a large parcel of gold was cleared on the 2nd instant, and considering that the population has diminished, it should be looked upon in a favorable light. Miners' rights and business licenses (principally the latter) have decreased greatly on account of the sale of the townships of Goldsborough and Stafford. The decrease on spirit licenses and fees and and fines in Wardens' Courts are attributable to over-estimation.

Referring to annexation, he says, " The threatened dismemberment of the County received but little, if any, encouragement from the Government, and, like other impracticable motions, died a natural death." The alteration of the Capitation Allowance involved a loss to the County of £BOOO annually. Thanks were due to Mr Harrison for his efforts to reopen the question of the Canterbury debt. He had received a communication from the Government, from which he expects that £3OOO would be paid to the County out of the Road Euud, for expenditure on permanent works. The Waste Lauds Act was working satisfactorily. The General Government has given instructions for the immediate survey of the road from Greymouth to Omotumotu Creek, and he expects that the road from Greymouth to the Arnold would be completed during the summer. Compensation to tramways and the desirability of a railway from Greymouth to Ross were questions for the Council to consider. He urges the necessity for an alteration of the basis upon which ; hospitals are subsidised. In conclusion, he takes a hopeful view of the County's prospects. No other business wa3 taken up, and adjourned until Thursday evening.