INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1906, Page 3

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL

WHO’S THE COUNCILLOR?

(Our Own Correspondent.) At the Council Finance meeting, before the minutes were read, Mr Bowater (the chairman) called attention to the fact that though there was only one seat for the Hampden Riding, yet two members had taken their seats at the Council table. He read the memo from the County solicitor that the prohibition against Mr MacNamara’s election having been successful, Mr Bell election was valid. He, therefore, in accordance with that opinion, declared Mr Bell duly a member. Mr Betts pointed out that 2 o’clock, the time of the Council meeting, had not arrived, and he thought the two gentlemen should retire until that time. Messrs Bell and McNamara accordingly retired. At two o’clock tho Finance Committee adjourned and tho Council sat. The Chairman read tho solicitors opinion, and ruled that Mr 801 l ivas the member for tho Hampden Riding. Mr MacNamara stated that Mr Bowater had no jurisdiction and that the seat had been vacated by Mr Bell owing to his not attending four consecutive meetings of the Council. Ihe matter was still under litigation. Mr Bowater said that he had simply to go by the facts, and recounted the details. “You have no notification from the Supremo Court.” “No,” said the Chairman. “Yes,” said Mr Bell; “we have an authority signed by Ms, Justice Denniston. I have also received notice as a member of tho Council. Did Mi MacNamara receive one?” • “No,” said Mr MacNamara; “that is an omission on the part of the Clerk.” Mr Bell: “You sent mo the notice and you must fight Air MacNamara - The Chairman then received the writ of prohibition used by the Supreme Court, and approved by Mr Harper, of Christchurch. Mr MacNamara stated that tho writ of prohibition restrained the Magistrate from proceeding further. Jhe Chairman could only rule on a motion. Mr Betts; It seems peculiar to me when the prohibition writ was issued, notice was not served on the Council. I wonder that tho Clerk, without proper notice, had not sent notice to Mr MacNamara. The omission was most irregular. The Council in default of any notice to the contrary could not state who was the member for Hampden. There 11 document apparently from the .u----preme Court, but it was not to the Council. Mr MacNamara: It would not bv disinterested. Tho solicitor for Mr Bell and the Council were the same. Mr Bell said that when tho Magistrate declared tho first election null and void, he had accepted it, and he hoped that tho same course would be followed on this occasion.

Mr Free, who had been called in, stated that on the 15th May the order was made by the Supreme Court prohibiting the election of Mr MacNamaui and was approved of by Mr MacNamara's solicitors. Mr MacNamara then ceased to bo a Councillor. Mr Betts said there was nothing othcial in the matter. The Clerk had not been notified by the Court or Court authorities. The Council had no jurisdiction whatever to say who was or who was not the member for the M i ing. He protested against any attempt being made to force a selection. Mr Bell : If -Mr MacNamara solicitors have approved of the judgment, does not that alter it? I have come here to vote, and I am going to vote. Mr Bowater said he could not go back on his ruling. There was some slight technicality, but he was sure he was right. Ho would do Ins best. They could not prevent Mr MacNamara from sitting, but he could not allow him to move resolutions or to vote. Mr Bell: I have come hero to vole, and I want to know where I stand. The Chairman stated that m his opinion Mr Betts wits wasting the time of the meeting. He had ruled that Mr Bell was entitled to the seat, and he was upheld by the County solici-

to The business then went on, Mr MacNamara retaining his usual sea the Council table for some considerable time.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting o the Inangahua County Council took pte yesterday at the County Council Chambers. Present: Crs Bowater (chair), Betts, Harold Scantlebury, Stevenson, Mclnroe and Bell. From the County solicitor, stating that the Supreme Court had gra prohibition of the Magistrate’s decision in reference to the election of a member for Hampden Riding, ™ - tifvin" the Chairman that Mr Thomas Bell's 0 election was valid and that he fs the member for the R.dmg.-Re-

Ce From Samuel Veale, forwarding his monthly report on prospecting operatioFrom f asking for reSfcL^m?n r s S tat f ed Thaf the" Execube permanently maintained p Referred to the Engineer. From dohn Brazil, asking for proper road accommodation to his homestead, no Mr Lochington had given him notice that he « s ,%SV S Mr the present road. P ? M Inroe f that SgSiffSiiX o„-

M. oamore.Of £2 10s to renew the M am B road where constructedI throu D land at Devil’s From Aaron Came, as “ n f „ aliua rope and chair across the Inangmiu r».Me Wm to '»“r n (“th7 riv°r - land on the south side of the river Referred to the Engineer for teP OT ,t W. Harvey, complying that he was refused work on the Murr J Creek road and asking the Council to enquire into the matter; also stating ♦hat he had been informed that cer t«n protection works at Crushington wMch he had charge of had not been

ance with the resolution passed at the previous meeting, in company with Air JBetts he had visited the work and in his opinion the grant had not nearly gone as far as it should have and he considered the Engineer should have given more attention to it than he had done.

The Engineer stated that Mr Harvey was not boycotted in the least. He had had work for several weeks on the Crnshington road, and that when tho grant had been expended it was an impossibility to transfer all the men to the Murray Creek road. Whenever ho had any work in the future he intended to employ Air Harvey. Both Air Scantlebury and Air Potts stated that Air Harvey was a practical Workman, and ono who in the past had carried out various works for tho Council in a most satisfactory manner.

From tho Receiver of Revenue, in reference to judgments for rents on certain special claims now cancelled.— Proposed by Air Betts, and seconded by Mr Bell, that the judgments mentioned bo treated as irrecoverable in accordance with the sections of the Alining Act dealing with the same. From AI. Hunter, asking for a grant

of £25 to clear the track from Horso Terrace to their station on the Alataki Plain. —Engineer to report at next meeting.

From M A. AlcLernon, re tho bad condition of Casland’s track, and asking to have it repaired. From H. F. Sutherland, complaining of the condition of the road to his home.—Proposed by Air 8011, seconded by Air Scantlebury, that the Engineer take immediate steps to have the roads open for traffic. Carried. From R. AlcNee, asking the Council to supply two lamps for the Alurchison Streets.—Proposed by Air Bell, seconded by Air Harold, that the engineer have the street graded on both sides from the Post Office to the English Church and also to give an estimate of the cost of forming the street. From James Thomas, in reference to the proposed bridge over the Bailor near tho Owen, offering under certain

conditions to erect a stock brdgo for a sum of £2oo.—Received.

From Vincent County Council, forwarding resolution, wiring Government to include lignite in "The Timber and Flax Royalties Act,” and asking this Council’s co-operation.—Proposed by Mr Scantlebury, seconded by Mr Mclnroo, that tho Council co-operate with tho Vincent County Council, and also endeavor to have coal included. Carried. From Town Clerk, Westport, asking tho Council to join in a protest against the exorbitant cost of carrying out the election of licensing committees, etc.—Each individual member concurred that the cost had been most exorbitant, and sincerely hoped in tho future the same would bo materially reduced. The Chairman moved, and Mr Betts seconded, that this Council co-operate with the Westport Borough Council. Carried.

From A. R. Guinness, Esq., stating that he had complied with the Chairman's request in reference to a grant applied for the widening of Blackwater track, a thrice weekly mail service, and telephone station at the Upper Blackwateri and also the purchase of tho Scotia plant. From the Mines Department, stating that enquiry was being made and a report obtained on tho request for a loan of £2OOO to widen Blackwater track.

From same, staling that the matter of purchase of the Scotia crushing plant, as requested, was hold over for the present pending further enquiries.

From same, stating that the application of Upper Grey Miners’ Association would be considered on the Minister’s return to Wellington. From tho Postal Department, stating that arrangements were being made to establish a thrice-weekly mail service with Upper Blackwater. From the Tourist Department, regretting that at present it was not possible to spare any expert to visit, the scenic beauties of the district, ns Mr Donne is in Australia.

From the Roads Department in reference to a grant for Rapitliamahama rack, stating that it has been ascertained that the correct name is Rap-

pahaiioo, and that the grant could not bo transferred to the Shanandoah track.—Proposed by Mr Bell, seconded by Mr Betts, that a further application be made lo the Department through Mr Colvin. Carried. From same, stating that application for £2OOO for road from Marina Plains lo Beef ton, and £IOOO for road filenroy to Marina Plains would bo considered when the estimates for next year are under review. From Chief Surveyor, re Lower Broadway reserve, enclosing letter from Lands Department to the effect that it formed part of the street, and could not he closed, as it was a river road and that the illegal occupation by squatters was a matter for the Council to deal with.—Proposed by Mr Betts', seconded by McTnroo, that the matter of fixing the rents for the persons -occupying these sections ho left in the hands of the Executive to report at next meeting. Carried. From R. Duffy, forwarding his resignation as sexton. A deputation consisting of Messrs Shepherd and Hindmarsh and Rev. Mr Vcalie presented j the Council with a petition signed by over fifty of the principal residents of | the district asking the Council to take such stops as to have the cemetery levelled and the footpaths properly formed. 1 it was resolved that the members of Ihe Council visit the cemeteries on Friday morning, and that the resigua- j lion of the sexton be held over for con- j sicleration until the adjourned meeting ing of the Council on Friday evening. Proposed by Mr 8011, seconded by i Mr Harold, that the reports of the engineer and inspector of nuisances be received. Carried. Proposed by Mr Harold, seconded by Mr Scantlebury, that pipes to the value of £2 be supplied to Mrs Rogers of Caplestou for the extension of the drain down the street, the applicant being willing to find the labor. Carproposed by Mr Betts, seconded by Mr Stevenson, that tenders be invited for the construction of a further section of the Marina road. Carried Proposed by Mr Betts, seconded by Mr Scantlebury, that the engineer be instructed to immediately proceed vvi_ the construction of the nccssaij protection works at Crushmgton. Car-

m Kesolved that consideration of the proposed alteration to the watci u ■ bo referred hack to the committee to bo submitted to the next monthlj meetin" o£ the Oolftiof, , ' j.rmosed by Mr Mclnroe, second bv Mr Harold, that the Engineer be. to itr-gaf-mi the Blackwater road. Carrie i. Proposed by Mr Bell, seconded by All Stevenson, that the Engineer bo instructP‘l lo I*** « seer for the Hampden IHdmg at a s „ry of £3 10s per week. After soin discussion the Chairman ruled the motion out of order, owing ul , resolution having been passed b> tin (Wic to dispense with the services of the then overseer until the Council was in a better financial position , althmt'dt the majority of the members were of the opinion that it was a step in the right direction to have an over seer appointed, as the district was 60 mHos away from Reefton and the Engineer could not visit there more than about four times a year. ' Proposed by Mr Bell, seconded by Mr Betts, that all timekeepers over annas of workmen be treated alike, and'paid the same rate 6f wages, viz., 11s 8d per day for every day they W °ARor the accounts had been passed for payment at 6.45 p.m., the Council adjourned till 8 p.m. to-day (Fn-

A MOTHER’S RECOMMENDATION. Mrs Mary Gray, Wangonga (N.S.W.). writes “Chamberlain’s Cough Remedy has a splendid reputation in this district, and I know o many cases where acute '-ni’p and Bronchitis have been cured I had been a sufferer from Bronchia Asthma for many years, and never found any treatment that would relievo me, until I commenced taking Chamberlain s Cough Remedy, and that completely cured me. It has never faded to cure £■«*“ f “,S p boule'of Chamberlain’s Cough tlemedy in BROS. - -