INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 81, 23 February 1877, Page 2

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The adjourned meetiag of tbe Counoil was held at the office, Broadway, on Wednesday last, at 2.30 p.m. Tbere were present— ihe Chairman, (Mr P. Brennan), aDd Messrs Dick, Kelly, Eyrne, Irvine, and Davies. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Clerk read a letter from H. G. Hnnkin, Returning Offiver for the Antonio's Riding, announcing Ibe return for tbat district of Mr Matthew Byrne., Mr Byrne was then introduced lo tbe Council, and formally took his seat. COIJBESPONDENCS. Copies oflhe following correspondence were laid on tbe table : — From the manager of tbe Hank of New Zealand, Grey mouth, intimating tbe terms upon which tbat Corporation was ,vepared to undertake tbe account of tlie Council. The te r :ns were as uader: — Ist. Tbe ra'e of iatsrest allowed on c-edit balance?, 4 per cent. 2nd. Rate of interest on overdrafts. 7 percent. Council to overdraw up to (lie l'mit prescribed by the "Counties Act." From the manager of tlie KVJoual E::nk of New Zealand, Eeefron, to like effect. Terms as follows :■— Ore "Jvaffc j>s per " Counties Acl." Aeconut not to exceed £6)00, 8 per cent, and 5 per rent upon tbe maximum duly credit balances. Account lo remain with tbe bank for a term of not less than twelve months, aid three months notice to be given by the CouocU of iotenlioa to cb.iu^e the account. After soaje discussion upon tbe subject, Mr Dick rnoyed, and Mr Irvine seconded, that the offer of ibe Eauk of New Zealand be accepted. Tbe reso'ution having been put io tbe meel'ng was carried. Applications were then opened for tbe office of Cou.ity Overseer. Tbe applicants being as follows : -Eeefron — Messrs W. Dalton, John Hari*. D. P. Anderson, A. G. Johnston, J. Gillespie, H. G, tfankin. R. Fifzmau'ice, and Charles Gardiner. Ahaura— Messrs J. W. Jones, W. Cochorane. Grey mouth — — Keith. Kumara — James Turner. Westport — Messes H. A. A. CiOssand A. P. Rnwson. Wellington— Me^rs A. M. Ross, surveyor, Walter Pel, Coi'ini, Bnlter, civil engineer. Tuipo— J. F. Farley. Otago F. Smith. After considerable discussion, on tlie motion of Mr Daries the number of tbe applicants was reduced lo six, nameiv, Mess's Turner, Rawson, Peil, Ross, Smith, and Butler. | Tbe numbers were subsequently reduced by Ibe striking out of the names of Messvs Rawson, Pell, and Ross. A long conversational discussion en« sued upon the merits of the candidates, some of (he mem'iers being of opinion ih:>t ihe applicants should be I'mited lo ;>rofessioTjl men, sod others tbat, as a rule, testimonials were no guarantee of qualification, the whole should be admitted upon equal fooling, and local men shou'd have tbe preference. Mr Ross, iep"e?ented as a qualiflecl su veyo ', required S'X weeks' notice of his appointment, and Mr Butler, represented a3 a consulting engineer, mide inquiries in bis application as to whether he should be allowed private practice in the event of his appointment. Eventually it was moved by Mr Byrne, and seconded by Mr Kelly, tbat Mr But* ler be appoiuted. Mr Dick moved as an amendment, tbat ! Mr Kaymond Fhzmauice be appointed, which wss seconded by Mr I vine. Mi* Davies moved a further amend*, meul, that Mr Smith be appointed, which was seconded by Mr Dick. The amendments having been put were both lost, the ayes being Messrs Davies, Dick, and Irvine ; and the noes, Messrs Kelly, Byrne, and Brennan, and the Chairman gave bis casting vote for the noes. The resolution having been put to tbe meeting and carried, Mr Davies moved, and Mr Kelly seconded, tbat Mr Butler be notified by telegram at once that pri* vale practice would not be allowed, and that he would be required to commence the dulies of the otßoe within fourteen dnys. It was moved by Mr Kelly, aud seconded by Mr Byrne, that in tbe event of Mr Butler not agreeing to the terms of

the appointment at once, Mr Ross be notified of bis appointment. Motion confirmed. The following applications were then opened for the combined offices of Poundkeeper, Inspector of Nuisances, &o. John Harrold, £150 per annum : Wm. Beethara, £52 per annum; H. Lloyd, £175 per annum, with an addition of £25 io the event of an Inspector of Weights and Measures I'eing appointed; E. G. Hankin, £200, with an addition of £50 for the office of Inspector of Weights and Measures ; W. Faller, £150 per annum. It was decided to posioone the consideration of the above applications to a future date. Letter from the Government, intima'.in* that a complete map of the County would cost £20. Secretary instructed to procure map at once, Correspondence received from various officers of the Provincial and General Government, with reference to the Grey roid, the result of which wos to the effect that no detailed survey of the unfinished portion of the road had been made. Mr Davies proposed, and Mr Dick seconded, that the Chairman and Messrs Kelly and the mover be appointed a Finance Committee, and be authorised to arrange for an overdraft, and pay all out* standing accounts. Motiou confirmed. Tbe Clerk was aullto-ised to appeal when necessary against the County assessment. i On the motion of Mr Davie?, seconded hv Mr Kelly, it was decided to return to Mr C. Gardioer the pan sent in by him forw.tpr supply works, for the reason that tbe plan was incomplete. Messrs K< lly, Davies, »nd the Cliairman we-e empowered to sijjn cliques. Mr Breunan was appointed County Tre.'su'er. The Council then arjouvned to the 7tn March.