Oroua County Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 199, 30 July 1883, Page 2

Oroua County Council.

The first meeting of the above County Council was held on Saturday, July 28'h, at the office of tha Manchester Highway Board, Feilding, at 12.30 p.m. Present— Crs Walker, Sly, .Engels, Skerman, Mcßeth, Linton, Bailey, Douglas, and Macarthur. Mr Sherwill having read the Gazette notice constituting the Council, the business of electing a chairman was proceeded with. Proposed by Cr Engels, seconded by Gr Linton, and carried— That Cr Macarthur be elected chairman of the Council. Gr Macarthur having taken the chair, explained that their first duty would be to consider the means to be used m bringing about . the abolition of the County Council, whether by petition to Government or otherwise. Also the, adjustment of the old Council's accounts, Cr Bailey requested Cr Linton to give some information re position of Mana* watu Uounty Council. Cr Linton was about to reply, when Cr Sly objected to any lengthened discussion taking place until after lunch. The Chairman explained that two months wag the time allowed by the Government for their adjustment, when if not done by that time a commissioner would be appointed by the Government ; that m his opinion it would be much better to adjust the accounts between themselves. It was here proposed by Ur Douglas, seconded by Gr Walker, and carried— That the Council adjourn till 2 o'clock. On tbe Conncil re-assembling, a letter from T. S. Hoe, Clerk to Manawatu Highway Board, was read, requesting the Council to adjust aooounts between Kiwitea and . Manawatu Highway Boards. Proposed by Gr Engels, seconded by Cr Skerman, and carried— That Crs Mcßeth, Skerman, Macarthur, and Sly be appointed a coo mi t tee to enquire into the accounts, and report at next meeting of the Council. Letter -read from settlers at Bunny, thorpe, requesting the Consideration of the Council re the dangerous state of the Oroua- Bunny thorpe fload. After some discussion, the Councillory came to the conclusion that at present they were unable to do anything, bat would keep the matter m mind. The advisability of employing a clerk having been discussed, the matter was deferred until the Council is m funds. Proposed by Or Engels , and carried — That Crs Walker, Linton, Macarthur, Douglas, and Skerman be appointed a > committee to adjust accounts of the old county. A resolution was also carried, empowering the committee to employ a certificated accountant. Discussion re Engineer.— Speakers— Crs Engles, Skerman, Sly, and the Chairman. The Chairman explained that the Northern ridings of the Manawata County Council (when the engagement of the Engineer was entered into) which ridings were now represented m the Oroua Council were liable for the engagement. Proposed: by Cr Skerman, seconded by Cr Sly and carried— That tbe Chairman communicate with the Manawatu County Council re the present state oi the .Awahuri Bridge. Proposed by Gr Sly seconded by Ci Engles and carried— That the Manawato__County Council be requested to hand over all plans and maps relating to ridings m the Oroua County. Long discussion re place of nesting of Council. The Chairman stated he would not take any part m the discussion as he was a resident m Feilding, but when, mention was made of putting tha question to the vote, and he was requested by Cr Engles not to vote as he had stated he would take no part m the matter, he replied he did not state that he would not vote but that he would take no part m the discussion. The matter was ultimately left undecided. Cr Engles, Sly, and Walker, spoke forcibly m favour of having the place of meeting m Palmerston, and Crs Linton and Mcßeth m favour of Feilding. Proposed by Gr Douglas seconded by Cr Linton and carried— That the next meeting of the Oroua County Council be held at the office of the Manchester Highway Board, Feilding, on Friday, the 10th day of August next. The Committee appointed to adjust the Kiwitea and Manawatu Koad Board accounts decided to meet at Palmerston on Saturday,* the 11th of August next. - • A{ 8.15 p.m. the Chairman moved the adjournment of the Council.