INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 60, 5 January 1877, Page 2

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tbe first meeting of tbe newly elected Council of Inangabua was held at the Court House, at noon yesterday. The whole of the members were present. Mr Davies feaid that before the} could proceed 'to business it would be necessary to appoint a chairman, and he therefore moved tbat Mr Bayfeild take tbe chair. Mr Dick seconded tke resolution. Mr Bayfeild begged to decline tbe the honor. Mr Dick faid tbat it appeareq to bipj that' it was necessary tbat "Ibey should • hafe a cftairmad "td preside, and record the proceedings, he would there'ore move that Mr Carreras be fchairman. It was purely a matter of form. Mr Gallagher thought tbere was no use beating about the busb. He did not know wbether any member bad come prepared with a proposition, but it was quite clear tbat the very first duty wbich the Council bad to perform was to appoint a chairman. If, therefore, j:ny member had a resolution to move, 'he should step forward and propose it. He was not a candidate for the office, but would move a resolution but that he might be forestall ling somebody else. Mr Dick said that be had understood Mr Davies' motion to be for tbe appointment of an interim chairman to preside only whiltf they were' appointing a permanent chairman. Mr Caples thought it best tbat they should proceed at once to elect a permanent chairman in accordance with the provisions of the " Counties Act." Mr Gallagher agreed with the last speaker, but before aiiy resolution was put suggested that Mr Carreras should act temporarily as clerk and take notes of the proceedings. This course having been agreed to Mr Dick moved that Mr Patrick Brennan be appainted Chairman of the Council in accordance with the provisions of tho " Counties Act." He said that while chairman of the Road Board Mr Brennan bad discharged tbe duties of the office ih a most efficient and able manner, and be did not tbink tbey conld do better than to elect that gentleman to preside over the Council. He bad, therefore, much pleasure in moving the resolution standing in his name. Mr Caples seconded the resolution. Mr Davies said that it had been arranged before hand wbo the permanent chairman of the Council was to be, and he had merely moved for the appointment of a temporary chairman, in order tbat the resolution of the Council on the former appointment might be taken in due form. Mr Caples quggested tbat the resolution as proposed by Mr Dick should be put to the Council by the Clerk. Mr Davies inquired by wbat right the Clerk acted in the matter. The Clerk said he acted by the right of custom. A similar course waa pursued at the appointment of the first chairman of tbe Westland Gounty Council. The resolution was then put to tbe Counci] by tbe secretary and waa carried unanimously.

Mr Br Brennan in rising to tbank tbe Council said tbat it was usual on occasions of the kind for tbe member appointed to express bis thanb3 for tbe honor bestowed. s He conld only say tbat as far as bis bumble abilities would enable bim he would perform the duties of the office a* he bad hitherto donfc in connection witb the Boad Board— witb the ' »t»steit impartiality. ' In allffding to tha othei 1 p"bb* lio body he coulß onlj? say that tt bad been the constant aim Of himself and tbe otber members of tbe Board to administer its affairs with the utmost impartiality tn nil parts of the district alike. The County Council would have a much larger field of action, and its conduct would be more open to publio criticism. It cou'd. he thought, be relied upon that -the proceedings of the Council would be watched narrowly, and though its revenues for a time at least would be but scant, it would for the Council to in all matter exercise a becoming economy, so that the utmost good might be done to the whole county equally. He felt proud of the honor tbey had conferred upon bim in electing him to the position of first Chairman of tbe n. w county, and be trusted that they Would never have couse to regret the confidence thpy bad reposed in him. Mr Davies said that the next business was the election of a permanent seoetary ,to t#e Council. He had mucb pleasure In proposing that tbe appointment be conferred upon'Mr Carreras, at a salary of £250 per annum. Mr Dick seconded the motion. Mr Caples had no objection to offer to tbe motion, but he thought it premature to go into the question of remuneration at i present, until they knew what the reve- j nue of the Council was likely to be. He I thought it would be more business like i (o invite applications for the appointment in the ordinary way. * ' ] . After discussion the course suggested was agreed to, advertisements to appear in Reefton, Greymouth, Nelson, and Wellington. Applications to close on tbe 31st instant. After considerable discussion it was resolved on the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Dick, that Mr Carreras be appointed secretary, pro tern, at a salary of £250 per annumMr'OaJlagher said that during the last session of Parliament a sum of money was voted by the Assembly for the completion of the Grey road. He thought ifr* highly desirable that tbe work should be completed as soon as possible, and be therefore moved that the Clerk communicate at once with the Colonial Secretary, asking that the vote be placed at the disposal of the Council for immediate expenditure. Tho resolution was seconded by Mr Bayfeild and carried. Mr Davies moved that the Clerk comi municate with the Provincial Surveyor to ascertain wbicb of tbe two surveyed lines was recommenced as tbe route of tbe unmade portion of the Grey road. The motion v?aa seconded by Mr Irvine and agreed to.. An expression of opinion was formally | recorded in tbe journal of tbe Council that , the office of chairman should be honorary. On the motion of Mr Bayfeild Messrs Brennan, Davies and the mover were appointed to report upon tbe probable revenue of the Council for the current year. After disposing of some otber formal buqinea, tha Council adjournal.