WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1887, Page 3

WHANGAREI COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE usual monthly meeting of the County Council was held on Wednesday. present, Crs. D. McLeod,. Eoss, Miller, Hunter, McKay, M. McLeod, Whitelaw, and Whimp. In the absence of the Chairman, E. Thompson E^pl.H.K., Cr. D. McLeod was voted to thechair. SPECIAL MEETING. The ordinary meeting having resolved itself into a special meeting, it was moved by Cr t Miller, seconded by Cr. Hunter, " That the Mangapai Eoad District be merged into the County." Carried. This being the only business of the special meeting, it was dissolved, and the ordinary business proceeded with. The miuutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and correspondence read. A telegram, to the following effect, was read from It. Thompson, Esq. M.H.R " E. Mair Esq. — Compliments to self and Councillors. Will be glad to get opinion of Councillors in . reference to matters of public importance." The application of Mr Henry for a refund of rates which, from irregularity had been twice paid, was granted. Proposed by Cr. Whimp, and seconded by Cr. Whitelaw, " That Otonga East be made a polling place at the forthcoming election." Carried. TENDERS. The following tenders were received. OtaikaNo. I.— H. Morgan, £18 10/; Weaver Bros., £21/6; F. Harrison, £18 4/; J. Colton, £19 9/. Bridge near Hunter's. — G. N. McCulough, £1115/; J. Sloane, £17; F. D. Hayward, £16 18/. Work near McKay's : — Weaver Bros., £10 1/; J. [Jackson, £18 5/ ; F. Harrison, £10. ' Proposed by Cr. Miller, and seconded by Cr. Eoss, " That the lowest tenders be accepted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts co the amount of about £170 were passed for payment. • • Cr. Whitelaw moved, "That a memorial be forwarded to our member, requesting him to get a meeting of our northern members, Messrs Moat, Hobbs, Mitchelson, and any Auckland members of the House on whose sympathy they can rely, to bring such pressure on the Government to ensure a grant for a period of five rears of at least £50,000 pet, annum, for roads and bridges North of Auckland, to be divided amongst the counties pro rata, and to be expended by them, and that the other counties be requested to co-operate." In moving the resolution Mr Wbitelaw said that it was impossible to use language coo strong in denouncing the gross injustice done the North in respect to moneys for public works and road making. He thought that our late worthy chairman, and other northern members should take a decided stand with any ministry in power, and demand a vote of this kind as the price of their support. If this were done, her thought the money could be got. We never have had a fair share— nor a fraction of it — of money for rail-ways or roads. He exampled the action being taken by public bodies South of Auckland in respect to the Great South Eoad, as an instance of a .proposed- gross injustice. The South Eoad was made by the Government, at not one penny local cost, and for a quarter of a century they have had the use of it free of charge. Since its construction a railway has also been constructed running parrallel with it. This road is now out of repair, and the settlors find that the railway is not so great a boon as was expected, are petitioning the Government to put the road in repair before the local bodies (County Councils) take it over. This he looked on as the most unjust and, impudent request he ever heard made. A road made for nothing, with a railway as well, and they : demand its repair, while we in the North are continually left out in the cold.

Cr. McKay seconded the resolution' and said the request -was so just and reasonable, that it scarcely admitted of discussion The motion was put and carried unanimously. Moved by Cr. Whitelaw and seconded byCr. Whinip, " That tenders be called for 'f brining and pipe claying about 47 chains of Hikurrtugi Swamp. Tenders to be opened riest council meeting.' 1 Carried. Moved by Cr. McKay and seconded by Cr. McLeod, "That the Engineer be instructed to make out plans and specifications for -work in Waipu Riding, tenders' to he opened by next council, such work not to' exceed £90. Carried. Cr. Ross was ap|/ointed Returning Qfficfer for Mania Riding. i, /S^bppsed by Cr. Miller and seconded h^^^W^nvy^Th&t Returning Officer* i pip County, Council election be paid £1 1/ per. day, and Deputy Returning Officer* 10/6." Carried. Cr: McKay proposed, " That a vote of thanks be given to the Officers of the Council, Mr Mair, Secretary ; Mr "Wilson, Engineer ; Mr McKinflon, Collector." He said that the Council was particularly fortunate in respect to their" officers. They were all reliable, painstaking, and efficient men, who always worked harmoniously with the Council. He could bear testimony to the uniform courtiousness and carefulness of all." Carried unanimously. Mr Mair briefly responded, thanking the Council for the flattering expression of opinion. Mr Wilson, in responding, said that he felt both pleased and melancholy. He was pleased at the expression of satisfaction and melancholy at the thought of the changes likely to take place in the ensuing election. Many members had stated their intention of retiring from the Council, and others may not be elected, so that a great change was likely to take place, and he felt it was possibln that some time would elapse before new members got into smooth harness. The mover of the resolution he would be especially glad to see again at the Board, for he was most plucky andpersevering in securing the rights of his riding. He heartily thanked • Councillors for their good, opinion. . Cr. D. McLeod moved, "That a vote of thanks be given to the press for the equitable reports of the Council." Cr. McLeod said, that a great deal was due to the press for the assistance it had given the Council, and thought, that it Was proper that thanks should be expressed by the Council. Without a local press it was impossible that the business of the council could be procured for the perusal of electors, ar,"l their interests advocated. It was i^^privilege which could not be too highly estimated. Cr. McKay, seconded the resolution, and said that the influence of the press could not be too highly prized. It was through it our grievances were redressed, our rights protected, and information desseruinated. In the conduct of a piper it was impossible for an editor to please everybody. Differences of opinion were sure to crop up. It was impossible to find two men who agreed on all points, how much less possible was it for one man to agree with everybody else. These differences of opinion, however, were a great element in progress, and their publication in a paper of great importance. Mr Street in responding, said, thai it had been his object to render to the Council all the assistance he could, to give reports of its meetings free from all bias, and place every member in a proper light, both as regards his constituents and his colleagues. In the recent struggle at the general election, he had acted conscientiously, and to the best of his judgement, which he would continue to do. He was absolutely uncontrolled by any party or faction, and would not only continue t© be, but the only bias that should ever influence him would be the county's gool. He thanked the gentlemen of the Council foi the vote of thanks so cordially given. Thus terminated the last meeting of the present Council.