WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL

Western Star, Issue 2112, 20 May 1896, Page 3

WALLACE COUNTY COUNCIL

A special meeting was held at noon on Saturday, being attended bo the Chairman (A Carmichael, Esq.), and Ore Ellis, Hirst, Harr, Hamilton, Newton, and Cbewings. The hui-in> ss was the com-iierotion of the following motion, notice of which had been given at a i revions meet ng by Or Carmichael : —“That at next g-neral election of the Council there shall be two Councillors elected by Wairio, Otautau and Aparina Hidings respectively, and one Councillor each by Orepuki, Wmau and Mararoa Ridirgs.” Having shown the necessity of Otantan being represented by another member, the motion was duly seconded, after which, Cr Chewings, whose riding would be the most effected by the motion, said he had no objection to offer. Being a considerable ratepayer himself, he thought it would be the right thing. Many of the ratepayers of his riding to whom he had spoken favoured the proposal, and on the score of economy in the matter of travelling expenses, he thought Mararoa would appreciate the change.—Cr Hirst said if economy was wanted, why not take a member from Wairio and Aparima ? If one member was sufficient for Mararoa, which was equal in length and breadth to any two ridings in the lower part of the county, then why not for the two ridings he had named ? However, he would not oppose the motion, and could only eav that Cr Carmichael’s persistency had attained for him his object. Other members having briefly supporter) the motion, it was pm, and carried unanimously. A PERSONAL MATTER. Cr Hirst, having obtained permission to make an explanation, said that in the report of the last Council meeting, he wns reported to have said, when referring to the letter sent by the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands with respect to the appointment of a surveyor to lay off certain roads in the Longwcod, that it was discourteous. If he did use such a wmd, he apologised, as he hod no intention of making use of any such term. What be thought he bad said, and what he intended to say, was that it was discouraging to those who took up land under the occupation system to have the laying off of roods so long deferred.—Cr Ellis said he had seen the Chief Commissioner since last meeting, ano he (the Commissioner) had called hie attention to the remark Cr Hirst was reported to have uiid The Commissioner said he had no intention of being discourteous. Be-jCr Ellis) had then told the Commissioner that he thought Cr Hirst did not use that term, but the word discouraging, and he thought he was right in saying such was the impression of the Council, who considered the letter courteous enough. The Commissioner had told him to inform the Council that under the old Occupation Act certain areas on the gold-fields were granted by the Warden who referred the application to the Commissioner, but he could not raise any objection in law. The Commissioner had pointed out to the late Warden Kawson that the promiscuous grant- ; ing would lead to trouble, and bis prediction had evidently been verified. The Act of 189 i bad placed the granting of these areas in the hands of the Board now, so that care would be taken in the future. The Commiseioner recognised the difficulty, and assured him that he would try to obviate St.—The Chairman said it was satisfactory to showhow the thing come about. As for the remark, ho had not noticed the word used. Whether it was or was not used, be would BBy t tho t«nor of Cr Hirst’s remarks could not be construed into attributing discourtesy to the Commissioner. —Cr Newton said as be expected the Commissioner wouffi see the (remarks, he would not move a motion in the direction of having a letter sent.

UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. Ci" Hirst said be had another matter to bring up. He noticed that Cr Hamilton stated at last meeting (hat the member fir Orepnki was in the habit of expending money unauthorised. He would like him to explain when he (Or Hirst) had ever done so. Cr Hamilton said he thought he would be able to show that Cr Hirst had done it not only once but three or four times over. Cr Hirst said it had hurt his feelings—(Cr Hamilton: Your feelings!) and now Cr Hamilton intensified the matter by saying three i£pr four times over, but he denied the soft Im’aipeaohment, and he would tell the Council ™hat he had fonnd that another £l9 10s had been expended in the Aparima Riding nn. authorised. He wished to point out to Cr Hamilton that persons who lived in glass bouses should not throw stones. Vouchers would prove that for the last two or three vears, Cr Hamilton had been doing the very thing he had charged him (Cr Hirst) with doing. , Cr Hamilton said he was sorry he was not following in Cr Hirst’s footsteps. Cr Hirst said bo was following and doing it to a larger extent, and be blamed the finance committee for not reporting it. . Cr Hamilton : Is this a special meeting ? Cr Hirst; lam making a personal explanatloCr Hamilton :Isit a political speech ? Cr Hirst: It is not; it is a council speech. Cr Hamilton is trying to put it off by Wnfl. The sum of £l9 10s was paid to latnck Rloylen unauthorised. ■Cr Hamilton ; It was nothing of the sort. £!r Hirst: I say I havo never spent money unauthorised. Or Hamilton r Oh Job ! ■ A this etaire the Chairman stopped the discussion and the Council adjourned.