WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1007, 11 July 1879, Page 2

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following is the conclusion of our report of yesterday's meeting of the County Council : Messrs. Stemsonand Leigh wrote drawing attention to the inefficient state of the drain oil the west side of the main north road, and suggesting that the drain be deepened, to allow the water to run oft their property at Meadowbank. The Council declined to comply with the request. The following tenders were accepted : Contract 70, erection of stone and timber bridges at Island Stream, JolinM'Combe. L 633 8s 6d. Contract 72, supplying 200 cubic yards of gravel at Hillgrove, Jacksoil and Nicolson, L 25. Contract 67. formation and gravelling road to Herbert railway station, James Hill, L 238 3s 4d. Leave of absence was granted to the Chairman during the sitting of Parliament.

Mr. Murcott saicl that he would like to take the opportunity of drawing the Chairman's attention to the necessity, in the event of a measure being introduced to effect a redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives, for securing the representation of the County. At present the country districts were combined with the town, and the whole represented by two town members. However worthy those members might be, they could scarcely be expected to take the side of the country when the interests of the town and country clashed. As there was a prosDect of a general election taking place shortly, he would like to see the town and country made two seperate electoral districts, and the country electors not practically disfranchised by their votes being swamped by those of the town electors. Another matter to which he would like to direct the attention of the Chairman was the necessity for the present system of county valuation being altered. If a valuation were made once in three years, instead of annually, it would be equally as satisfactory and far less expensive.

The Chairman said he quite agreed with Mr. Murcott.. It was absurd to compel the Council to pay for an annual valuation. He did not anticipate that the matter would be brought up during the next session of Parliament, as the Government would have their hands full of other things. He would, however, do his best to serve the best interests of the county. Accounts to the "amount of L 309 15s. were passed for payment, and the Council rose.