THE NEW COUNTY OP WESTLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 822, 25 January 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NEW COUNTY OP WESTLAND.

The Hon. John Hall, the PostmasterGeneral of the Colony, is to be nominated by the Governor in Council as the first Chairman of the representative County Council of eight. The Chairman of the Council is to have a casting vote only, not an original vote, and will thus be the executive servant of the Council, who are empowered to “ advise and assist” in the general administration of the affairs of the County. The Council will consist (besides the Chairman) of eight elected members, of whom four will represent the country district, and two each the towns of Hokitika and Greymouth. It is to be hoped not-

■withstanding all delays, that the first session of the Council will be opened before the close of the present month. The Governor of the colony has certain powers reserved to him under Colonial Acts referring to the administration of the gold-fields, the marine laws, &c., and these powers it has been customary to delegate to the Superintendents of provinces for purposes of convenience. These delegated powers have hitherto been held by the Superintendent of Canterbury, but the delegation became void as far as Westland is concerned on the 31st Decemher. We believe that one of the proclamations awaiting the Governor’s signature will confer these powers on the Hon. John Hall, for such period as he may hold the office of Chairman of the County Court, —thus placing him virtually in the place of a Superintendent of a province [! ] For the purpose of carrying out local public works, the County has been divided into four Road districts, each having a local elective Board, with the right of appointing its own chairman. The Road Boards will have the power of levying rates and expending them on public works. The County Council will have the power of regulating the expenditure of the general revenue of the district, viz., the proceeds of the Goldfields duty, and the Provincial share of the Customs Revenue. On all matters pertaining to the general administration of the district, authority will be vested in the City Council.