COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5803, 26 January 1887, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCIL.

A deputation, consisting of Crs Guinness, Ryall, Warren, Foley, Clifford, Paifitt7~ana Marshall, and Messrs Phillips and Higgins, waited upon the Minister of Public Works yesterday morning. Mr Guinness introduced the deputation, and. then read the following address of welcome : — "To the Honorable Edward Richardson, C.M.G., Minister of Public Works. ., , " Sib, — We, the Chairman and members of the GreyCtunty Council, beg respectfully, on behalf of the inhabitants of the Grey-county r to -accord -you a hearty welcome on thia your first visit to this portion of the WesfrGoast. We also beg to offer you on the auspicious occasion of turning the first sod of the Midland Railway our sincere and hearty congratulations on that event, and that it has fallen to your lot to take the initial steps in the ceremony, which' we would fain hope and believe will make the commencement of a new and prosperous era not only for this but other portions of the colony of New Zealand. "Although the many and pressing demands upon your time and attention have necessarily in the past operated against you paying us periodical visits, we sincerely hope that you may be able to visit us more frequently in the future, and by personal observation be able to note the steady progress being made with our railways, har- j bor, and other public works in this district. ' "In conclusion, Sir, allow us again to congratulate you on your present visit, and' to express the hope that your trip may be a pleasant one. "We have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servants. "A. R. Guinness, Chairman, "James Marshall, Councillor, "J. M. Clifford, „ "John Warren, „ "Denis Ryall, „ "Clement Parfitt, „ "Patrick Foley, „ "January 24, 1887." Or Guinness explained that Cr Taylor was unavoidably absent on business, and Cr M'Kechnie was indisposed, Hon. Richardson said he was extremely well pleased with the address that had been presented to him. It had given him very great pleasure In being present to perform the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Midland Railway. He was very well pleased with the country, but owing to the awkwardness of being away from Wellington he could not see half that he would like to have seen. However, with our first class line of steamers, as Greymouth was only about 24 hours distant from the seat of Government, he hpped, if he remained in office, to again visit the coast in no short time. He then invited the deputation to lay their grievances before him. Cr Guinness then read the following list of damages to roads, &c, through floods, and urged upon the Minister the necessity of afiording assistance to meet this unexpected loss : — 1. Eight-Mile Hill Maori Creek road £231 0 2. New River bridge fowing at Marsden 33 10 3. Main Grey bridge at Little Grey Junction 100 0 4. Protection to Greenstone road near Blue Bluff ... 200 0 5. Canoe Creek footbridge, North Beach 105 5 6. Fagan's Creek bridge ... 35 0 7. Baker's Creek footbridge ... 15 0 8. Protective works at Barrytown 50 0 9. Road Ahaura to Lee's Ferry 100 0 10. Brunner Parade, No Town, protective works 80 0 '11. Red Jacks bridge, main Grey Valley road... , 150 0 1%. Teremakau bridge (half -cost) 400 0 Total ...£1499 15 In answer to the hon. gentleman, Mr Guinness stated that the county got £3000 out of the Crown Lands grant. Hon. Richardson said that the bulk of the items seemed* to be connected with main roads. Government had no votes out of which they could take the money. Cr Guinness read a list of the various bridges, culverts, roads, tracks, &c, and the enormous expense incurred in the maintenance of them, and urged on the hon gentleman that, as £900 voted for the Main Grey Valley road was quite insufficient to meet the requirements, to allocate a larger sum out of the vote Nelson and Westport to Hokitika, and asked how it would be if Government took over the main road Nelson to Christchurch. He also urged the necessity of cutting away the angles in Marsden Hill and easing the grade. Hon. Richardson said it waa jnst a question of loans. Tie had no doubt the works would be very useful, but they meant money. It was r.o use misleading them, but Government had not the cost in hand out of the last vote. New works could not be touched, as the balance of the last loan was not much. In reference to the question of vesting land three chains wide on the road and coal reserve from Dobson to above Brunnerton, Mr Richardson replied that he would see what could be done on his return to Wellington. With regard to the question of making a dray and railway bridge across Rocky Island to Taylorville, Mr Richardson Baid that Government had under consideration the construction of a bridge above the present suspension one. Nothing could be; done in the matter until another loan fyas put in the market; Although nothing

was"o definitely settled he throught it advisable to leave the question as it was at 'present. - . .Cr Ryall strongly urged.that a bridge over the Seven Mile_Greek — estimated cost, L6oo^be constructed; Mr Richardson would- bring the matter under the notice of Mr Ballance, as it was entirely in his department; .. . ■ . . A&rtheWote was asked for the formation of the r road -Ahaura to Amuri. r. The reply was that the question waß connected, with the ; Eands Department, and the circumstances of the case would be mentioned to Mr Ballance. ■ ■ ;■ Mr Richardson would mention to Mr Larnach, Minister of- Mines, the question of the deviation of the Nelson Creek water race, as surveyed by Mr-Gow. The much-vexed question of the toll on the Cobden bridge was then brought; forward, to which rMr Richardson, replied that he did not see that Government would be prepared to takeover the bridge, as they would have to take all similar constructions in the colony. He did not think that they could possibly interfere, as the bridge was taken over rby the local bodies.- At the same time . he thought they had made a great' mistake in allowing it to be nsed-.for hasbo.r ;boar4 purposes. Mr Richardson said he had taken a note of the various questions, and would consider them.

. Mr Guinness thanked the Minister for his patient 'hearing,- and the deputation withdrew. : -:., . : r-v,