BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present— Crs Macfarlane, Tait, Hawkins, Todd, P. L. Clarke, Alcorn, and Jack. Cr Mtcfarlane was voted to the chair. Cr Totld desired to inquire, before tbc business commenced, whether Cr Jack had recived an apology from Cr J. B. Clarke, iv respect to the expression the latter had used at the last meeting of the Council ? Cr Jack said that he had received a letter from Cr J. B. Clarke tendering an apology for the remarks referred to. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed. CORRESPOND KNCK. The following letters were read : — From Mr Nicholson, drawing attention to the imperfect drainage at the corner of Park and Fitzherbert streets. Referred to the Public Works Committee. F.oniMrPammcnt,rcqu:stingpermission to erect posts on the cd^e of the footpath in front of his premises, for tho support of a verandah. Granted. From the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, referring the Council to the terms existing with the Bank. Referred to the Finance Committee. From the County Chairman, informing the Council that Mr CJhyton had given up the management of the pound, and requesting the Council to elect another pound-keeper. Referred to the Public Works Cora, mittee. From Mr Robinson, complaining of the chat acter and behavior of n person occupying tho adjoining premises. Referred to the Public Works Committee. From the Town Clerk, informing the Council that a resolution had been passed' at a sitting of the Waste Lands Board, held on the 9th inst., to the following effect: — "That the unsold portion* oi" Rcvcll-strcet, on the west side, from Staf-ford-street to Tudor-street, be reserved as an endowment for Municipal purposes for the Borough of llokitika, which will enable the Corporation to make the occupiers pay rent." Keferrcd to the Reserves Committee. From Mr Hamilton, calling attention to his account. Referred to the Public Works Commttce. From the Secretary of the Fir j Brigade, requesting the use of the Town. Hall for the 15th February, for the animal banquet of the Brigade. , Granted. From Mr Spencer, requesting permission to erect a sign-post, and a crossing for drays in front of his premises. Referred to the Public Works Committee. From Mr John Cross, thanking the Council for the use of the Town Hall for a public meeting on Thursday evening. Received. From Mr J. B. Clarke, resigning his office as Mayor and Councillor. Cr Hawkins moved, and Cr Tait seconded — " That the resignation be accepted." The Chairman said that the only objection he had vra» that Mr Clarke was resiguing an office (that of Mayor) which he never held. Cr Alcorn morcd as an amendment — " That the ktter be received, and Mr .Clarke's resignation of his office as Councillor be accepted." Cr Jack seconded the amendment. Cr Tait said that it seemed the majority of the Council ignored the fact of Mr J. B. Clarke holding the office of Mayor. If the Council simply accepted his reMgnation as Councillor, would Mr Clarke still remain Mayor of the Borough of Hokitika ? The Chairman would call the attention of Mr Tait to the resolution passed at a previous meeting of the Council, to the effect that the business of the meeting of the 20th of December, in respect to the election of Mayor was incomplete. The Council had nothing to do with what Mr Clarke might choose to designate himself. He might as well have written that he resigned his office as Governor of New Zealand. Cr Tait thought it would be better not to proceed too hastily, and suggested that a legal opinion should be taken. Cr Alcorn said that Mr Clarke seemed to have grounded his claim on the fact that he had obtained a majority of votes. In that case two Mayors had been elected, for Cr Todd had obtained five vote. I',1 ', which was a clear majority of the Council. Cr Hawkins regretted yery much that" the amendment had been put forvyard, He thought that Mr J. B. Clarke had received punishment enough for any fault he might have committed, and it would be far more courteous and gentlemanly to accept tl.e resignation as it was sent, and proceed with the business of the election of Mayor. The Chairman said that the only objection lie had to that course was that it would stultify the previous action of the Council. He could not aq;rce to undo what had been previously done, After some further discussion, the amendment was carried, and the motion negatived. PETITION. Cr Jack presented a petition, signed by inhabitants of Bealey-street, praying the Council to make drains and footpaths in that street. Referred to the Public Works Committee. P&ECTION OF MAYOR. The Chairman $a£d the Council would now proceed to elect' a Mayor, jtaking the business up at where it was left on the 20th of December. He presumed that no other nominations of candidates could b« received, and as Mr Clarke had resigned his office as Councillor, the vote would be taken as between Councillors Tait and Todd.

Cr Hawkins tftoughf (haf as'RJr Clarke had resigned Or tfodd ivhp had fff^m the next 'highest jiumber' ,o.f y(jtes,'sbmj l jd ije'dcd^rfid'piegjfid. . '-■= 1 T-he oh'airmau said that could not be doiie. The taking of the votes had no been completed on the 20th of December, and that must now be done. Mr Alcorn moved, and Or Jack seconded, " That the Council proceed to elect either Cr Todd or Or Tait as Mayor for the uuexpircd term." T,he motion was carried, and the votes being taken for the election of Mayor, there were two for Cr Tait, and five for Cr Todd. Each of the candidates voted for the other. The Chairman declared Cr Todd elected Mayor, and vacating his seat, inducting the uewty-elected Mayor 'nto the chair. The Mayor expressed his thanks for the honor which had been conferred upon him. He would use his best endeavors for the benefit of the town and of the ratepayers generally, and he trusted that he should receive cordial help from the members of the Ceuncil A body divided against itself could not possibly prosper, as had been seen during the recent proceedings. He would, however, not refer to them further than to express his regret that they occurred. He hoped the business of the Council would proceed harmoniously 'and that the members would show that they merit the confidence which had been reposed iv them by the ratepayers. MUNICIPAL RATE. On the motion ofCr Tait it was resolved that a rate of one shilling in the pound be struck on Fiiday next, ou the rateable properly in the Borough. OFFICE OF SEXTON. On tlie motion of Cr Macfarlane, seconded by Cr Clarke, the salary of the sexton to the cemetery was fixed "at £3 p.r week, and the Town Clerk was directed to advertise for application for the office. ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR. It was ordered that an election for a Councillor to fill the seat vacated by Mr J. B. Clarke be held on the 12th of Fcbauary. THE WIDOW OF THE LATE SEXTON. Ou the motion of Cr Tait, seconded by Cr Jack, it was resolved that an amount equal to two months salary (£2l) be paid to the widow of Mr fckukey, the late sexton. LICENSING CARRIAGES. On the motion of Cr Alcorn, seconded by Cr Jack, the Town Clerk was directed to prepare a bye-law for licensing hackney carriages, &c. YOTB Or THANKS. On the motion of Cr Hawkins, seconded by Cr Tair, a cordial vote of thanks was voted to Conrad lloos, Esq., for the action he had taken in ix recent Bitting of the WaaJo Lands Board, in respect to reserving for (ho the endowment of the Borough of Hokitika that portion of llcveli-street, ou the west side, from Stafford-street to • Tudor- street. TIMBER LICENSES. On the motion of Cr Hawkins, seconded by Cr Tait, the Town Clerk was directed to piepare a bye-law for issuing licenses, for cutting timber within the town boundary. TENDERS FOR PRINTING. Tenders for printing were opened from Me srs J. P. Klein, and Tilbrook and Ivess, and were referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS. The Town Clerk reported that the payments since hia last report, amounted to £75 5s Bd, and the receipts were £74 13s Id. . Some minor business wa? disposed of and the Council adjourned until next Friday evening, at 8 o'clock. ,