MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 34, 24 December 1878, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

FmsAY December. 20 1878. Tho Council met at 2 p.m. Present — Messrs Mucarthur (chairman), Gower, llalcombe, Loudou, Oarr, Kebbell, aud Dr Rockstrow. SI'ECIAL MEETING WE MOTOA ROA». A apecial meeting was held, at which Dr Kockstiow moved, according to notice, 4 That the Motoa Road, from Hun's comer to Howe's farm, be proclaimed a County Eoad." Ho remarked thut as he had pointed out on a previous occasion, it wuh very necessary communication should be opened between Mot ii and Foxton. In the absence of Air Linton, Mr Kebbull had promised to second tho proposal. Mr Gower wished to hear why Dr Rockstrow desired more roads to be mado County roads t In prjvato conversations, he had understood that gentleman to be averse to Buch a course. [Dr Rockstrow— Please don't bring in private conversations.] He believed it would be better to leave the road as at present, and for tho Council to subsidise the Highways Board. If taken ovor as a County road, tho settlors would lose the subsidy of tho Highways Board for rates collected, and he thought the rates should be spent upon the road. Whilst Awahou had only 2£ miles of Comity road, he was willing to grant £100 a year for the Motoa Road, and to assist the other district roads. He would therefore move as au amendment, " That the portion of road referred to, be subsidised through the Alanawatu Highways Board, to the amount vl £100." Mr Halcombe, in fcecondinjj the amendment, said he agreed with the remarks of Mr Gower. A mistake had beeD made in the past, in proclaiming too many County roads. The Upper District was Buffering from this, as the local bodies thus had their real functions taken away, and unless they bad sufficient fuuda tho roads were in a worse position as County roads than otherwise, flo thought the amendment would

meet Dr Rockstrow' s wishes, which doubtloss were to obtain as much money for the road as possible. Dr Bockstrow said his objection to the amendment w.is, that the Council had not suffic'ent control over the worki They gave the nioney oilfc of their haudsj and hud no guarantee of its being apont in tlio best possible manner. The County roads in Awahou were very small, and the Engineer had informed him that £250 at bast would bo required to put the Motod Itdad in gctod order. £100 would be available until March, and next year tha revenue would probably be greater. The existing Couuty roada wore iu repair, and he thought if the money were given to tho Highways Board, the Council should retain distinct control. The Chairman said he agreed with the amendment. In the past, tho County had beon too reckless in grunting money to the Highways Board. A rule should be made hy which control Bhould be held over money voted. Certainly the Engineer acted for both bodies, but as a mutter of principle ho ; thought n, distinct mid cbarly-defLtinl c -nj trol should be held by t'io Connoil ov^r all moneys vote:!. Ho fuvorcd. subsidies. Somo of the Ridings wore at present crushed I by tho weight of the County roads, hut the : matter could not bo altered, and ho hud no ! doubt tho tfo ird was not auxious to get tho roads back. Upon Mm matter being put to the vote Messrs Halcorabo,Gower, Oarr, and Kebbell voted for the amendmeut, and Dr Uockstrow j and Mr Loudon against it JSvontually, it ] was resolved, upon the motion of Mr Gower ; " That the Jt 100 voted for expenditure j upon the Slotoa Itoa-1 under the M.II. I Hoard, be expended at once ; and that tho j Knginecr bo requested to pross on the work before winter «et3 in." The Council then adjourned far 15 I minutes. j Upon resuming, the minutes woro read. When tne question for their confirmation was put. j Dr Roelstrow said ho wished to make a j proposal regarding tho resolution passed at ■ lust meeting, referring to Mr Loudou. That rcsjlut ion had cast a gruvo reflection — ! The Chairman pointed oat that no discussion amid take pLco upon the minutes, unless their accuracy was questioned. Dr Kockstrow said he held the resolution j was illegal, and he questioned its accuracy on that giouud. j The Ch \iiman said if the minutes did not ! I s*ate the business performed or stated it , i inaccurately, they coald be questioned, not j ; otherwise. As to the illegality or otherwise ; j of tho business performed, that question | must come up in another form, when Dr j Rockstrow would have ample opportunity i I to move in another form : but as the resolu- j tiou had per so been passed, ho ruled the j minutes mu>t bo held as correct. j Dr Rockstrow accepted the Chairman's ! ruling, and 1 The minutes wore then confirmed. i (ORHESI'ONDKNCE. i | A large number of letters were read, I | including: — ■ From Treasury, covering draft for £1243 i ! 9s 10d, subsidy 6f 10s in the £ upon rates ! for year euJoa 31st March, 1878. From Public Works Office, regarding railway. | From Crown Lands Office, stating that 1 Government intended shortly to cull for I tenders for forming roads through blocks j ! of land sold on deferred pavment, out of | £10,1)00. i From Public "Works Office agreeing to < allow a strip of land to bo taken train Railway Reserve, fronting Main-9tri>er, Foxfon, in order to make the slrect of uniform width, on condition that tho Council would allow Government to take material f zom tho Ferry Reserve for the reclamation of the railway extension. From mme regarding a ferry cattle paddock, and offering the Council section 121, Foxton, year by year, for same, on condition that the Government could resume possession upon 3 months' notice being given. No rent will bo charged, but the Council will be required to prevent the sand shifting where the Burfaco ia broken, by putting on clay. From Mr Linton, apologizing for his absence from the meeting. From the Proviucial District Auditor, re ! tho balance sheet. } FINANCE. I Accounts amounting to £935 4s 3d were passed. HIGHWAYS DOAIID. A letter having been read from the Mana" watu Highways Uoard, asking for the immediate payment of all moneys voted by the Council, some further discussion took place upon the necessity of control being l exercised over tho expenditure of tho money by the Uoard, and the following resolution was passed upon the motion of Mr HalI combe :— " That moneys voted by the Council to any Highway Board for expenditure be paid on voucher presented by such High- j ways Board, and certified to by tho County Engineer as being an expenditure in accordance with tho voto of the Council." MB HALCOMBtt's UHSSOLUTIOX. Dr Rockstrow wished to bring under notice of the Council again the resolution passed las"; sitting regarding a certain Councillor. He would move that it be rescinded, i It was not in the interest of that Councillor |ho spoke. Ho had nothing to Bay in his favor. But he had been spoken to by a number of electors, who earnestly protested I against Mr Halcombe'a resolution on the J ground that it questioned their right to elect whoever they chose. Mr Halcombo's resolution said tho return of that Councillor ! wus an insult to the Councillors of other j Ridings. According to law, any ratepayer of sound mind, and not convicted of auv in. | famous crime, and not a bankrupt, was eligible for election, and no matter what the private opinions of Councillors might b•, the e.ectors had a perfect rijjht to please themselves. If, in tho heat of an eloetion, or through public pity, a wrong choice was made, the electors would suffer : but the Council could not rcfloct upon tho person elected. His position was a painful ono. Ho quite understood Mr Halcombo's statement of tho difficulty he felt in bringiltg it forward. He quite upheld Mr Halcotnbo's right to bring it up, but the resolution reflected, not on the Councillor, but on the people who sent him. Upon this broad ground — of the people's right of freo cnoice — he hoped that part of the resolution would be expunged, Ho would assure Mr Hnleo'iibe no insult was intended to tho Council, or to the ladings. It was aim ply tho exercise of the privileges the law gave the electors, and which they considered were interfered with by the resolution. J'bo proceedings were irregular wheu tho resolution was passed. First, the Chairman had no business to hold that position while other than the reading of tho minutes and election of Chairman was gone through. ' Second, the Councillor interested addresned the meeting, which is contrary to law, Third, the rough minutes wvre not read over at the end of the meeting, when an opportunity of rescinding it would have been afforded. Fourth, if not disabled from voting, every Councillor must register his vote, or submit to a penalty. Several Councillors had not voted, including himself. The proceedings were entirely irregular, but he would not stand on that. He hoped the Council would work smoothly. He would not ask Sir

Halcombe to forgive the Cou'ticillo* in (Jtfestioa for the wrong he had done, not t0 change his opinion of his action; but ho hoped, after the assurancea lie had given him, he would meet him half way. and consent to the reflection being taken off the electors* Election excitement may have partiolly affected the people of the Hiding, but if the choice worn bad, they would suffer. They had sent the Councillor in question to test the sincerity of his acknowledgments and regret, and if he violated the trust, he felt aum they would speedily ask him to resign, in moving the resolution, he left it to the Council. He .had asked no one to second it ; but after the assurances he had given, he hoped Mr Halcombe would consent to the rescinding of it. The Chairman said the question was out of order. Notice must be given of a motion to rescind, unless the Council were unanimous. Even if the other members were willing to rescind, he was not. If the Foxton people came with a memorial admitting they had made a blunder in sending i such a representative, lie would bo willing to deal with the case. He should not change his opinion of the Foxtcn people until they did so. Dr Rockstrow had qiutoa a rule regarding voting against himself. J)r Rockstrow eiil he did not know of l the rule at the time, but was willing to suffer the psnalty, if enforcad. The Chairman remarked lie did not know, ! when the first reference w:is made, if Dr j Rocksirow was making a confession, or accusing other:). (Laughter.) Ur Rockstrow— Oh, I was confessing. (Renewed laughter.) Mr Halcombe explained that he had very great difficulty in drawing up tho resolution in. question. It was intended to reflect, not on Mio electors, but on Mr Loudon. Ho had studiously avoided questioning the right of the people to elect any member they chose. Tho whole question uinged upon tho word *' return." His resolution was, "That tho return of Mr Francis Loudon to a seat in this Council after hi9 s-jlf-imposed retirement, &m." llis meaning was not that tho electors had insulted tho Council through electing Mr Loudon, as ho still considered j the electors were not fully aware of the circumstances. He referred to Mr London's own return (or coming back) to the Council, after his self - imposed retirement, as an insult by Mr Loudon to tho Council. The members had a perfect right to express that opinion, as Mr Loudon's act was a public one, nnd his action was ogainst i public body. A mistake had been made in calling this* a new Council, and the former the »ld one. The Council wa? continuous. There wns no cessation. It was the same Council, being merely a different sessim, and the Chairman whs tho connecting link. He had never questioned the right of the Foxton people to elect Mr Loudon ; but he firmly belicvid they had dono it in ignorance of the real facts of tho case. His resolution, he would repeat, referred to t'.:e return of Mr Loiidon himself, not his return by the elector*. Dr Rockstrow asked would Mr Ilulcombe introduce that explanation into hU icsolution. Ho was willing to accept it. Mr Haleombc said ho had no objection to insert a clause stating thut he fully recognised the elector.* 1 power of free choice. At the same time, he felt that his resolution indirectly reflected upon them lor returning Mr Loudon, though it did not interfere ■ with their rights. He still believed that they were partially ignorant of tho true state of the case. Tho Foxton electors should appreciate the rights of the other I members, and send some ono from amongst their number whom the others could meet. The Chairman said he did not allow the right of tho Foxton electors to censure the Council for any action it had taken in defenca of public morality. They had shown they possessed the right to send any one they pleased to represent them. It was uieless to discuss that question now, just as it was useless to discuss the right of a man to knock you down after he had done so. He hoped there would be a full Council next time, when the matter would be settled. After consultation with Beveral electors in the room, Dr Rockstrow handed in the following notice of motion : — " To move at the I next meeting of the Council, to revoke tho motion of Councillor Halcombe, re election of a certain Councillor for tho Awahou Riding." SLAUGHTERHOUSES. Applications for slaughter licenses by Messrs H. Davidson and Co., of Foxton, and Messrs Rutherford and Perry, of Feilding, were granted. Upon tho motion of Mr Kebbell, it was resolved, "That the slaughterhouse fees which the Inspector be entitled to demand, shall be as follows: — For every head of small cattle, £d ; for every head of largo cattle, 3d ; for every akin inspected under the Act, 3d, LAND FUND. A resolution was moved by Mr Loudon, seconded by Mr Gower, and carried without discussion, to the effect that the Chairman write to the Government with a view to ob. taining for tho County 20 per cent of the valuo of the 25,000 acres of lnnd set apart as an endowment for tho Wanganui Harbor Board : the valuo to bo either at tho ruling upset price of J62 per aero, or upon the valuation of competent persons. RESOLUTIONS PASSED. Below we give the resolutions passed by the Council, together with tho name of the mover of each: — That tenders be called for the remetall* ing of a half-mile ot the Kimbolton lload from the railway crossing, Feilding, towards the Kiwitoa stream ; the metal to be 4in. in thickness. (Mr Halcombo.) That tenders be called for motalling the unmetalled portion of the* Kimbollou road, within the Munchester Hidiug. (Mr Hulcorabe.) That tenders bo called for metalling 80 chains of No 2 contract, Kimbolton road, to coinmenco at the boundary of tho Kiwitea Riding; metalling to bo 9in. deep, and 14 feet wide. (Mr Carr.) Thut the Engineer bo instructed to call for toudurs for bridging the creek on tho main line of road at Otaki, for thenecossary repairs to t'aO othor two bridges on the said road, and for cleaning out the creek. (Mr Kebbell.) NEXT MEETING. The next meet lag of the Council takes place on Wednesday, January 15, 1879.