An ordinary meeting of the Selwyn County Cpuncil was held this morning; present— Mr D. M'Milian (in the chair), '■', and Messrs R, Weßtenra, H. W< Peryman, ; ; J. G. Murray, T. York, W. Botg, J. Rennie, Ji W. Dunlop and T. R. Aneon. ' THS LATE PBEMIEE. ■ ;;, The Chairman referred to the death of the late Premier, and spoke in feeling terms of the loss the Colony bad sustained. He moved— "That this Council, having ;. heard with regret of the death of theuEon .-..", J. Ballance, tenders its einoerest sympathy •,•: , to Mrs Ballance in her bereavement." :. The motion waß seconded by Mr Peryman and carried unanimously. ' LAKE EM.EBMBBK IiAHDS. A telegram waa received from the Minister for Lands in reference to the drainage and reclamation of land at Lake EHesmere, and stating that the question .. would be considered in passing the Esti mates, but the Government did not admit any responsibility in the matter. ■ The Chairman referred to the corre spondence which had appeared in the newspapers as having passed between the Minister for Lands aad Mr R. M. Taylor. On receipt of the telegram he had called a meeting of the Finance Committee, and a. letter bad been drafted to be sect to the Minister, which contained the whole history of the matter, as far as the Council knew, and also making some proposals. It was resolved to forward the letter to the Minister, and also to the newspaper* for publication. HISCBLLAKBOUS. The Finance Committee brought up a report on the re-adjustment of the amounts the various local bodies should be required to pay towards .maintenance and clearing 1 the river Halawoll. The report was adopted. A letter was received from the Hals well Road Board asking for a grant of £150 to wards the maintenance of the Lincoln road. After discussion, it was decided to grant the sum of £100. A circular was received from the Wel lington Trades Council asking the Council to allow a copy of the subscription list for , the Ballance memorial fund to lie at the office. It was decided to accede to the request. The Lincoln Eoad Board wrote, suggest- : ing that some arrangements should be made for compelling Eoad Boards to take concerted action in the matter of the des truction of small birds. 