BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 60, 12 March 1910, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

COUNCILLORS' . RESIGNATIONS

At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening there appeared to bo a. strange apathy towards discussing the resignations which were in from Crs Co licit and Haines. Cr Carston, when the whole of the business was practically disposed of, stated that the most important business of the evening had not been touched upon, namely, that of the resignations of councillors, which he understood were in.

The clerk then read the following letters:

The Town Clerk, Dannevirke. Dear Sir, —I beg to tender my resignation as a, member of the Dannevirke Borough Council.—Yours faithfully, W. Haines.

Cr Collett wrote as follows:—"I believe that through the action of ouir firm in supplying the Borough Council with certain goods, I have become disqualified from holding my scat on the council. I therefore tender my resignation. I had thought seriously' of taking this step before, as our business takes me from home more than formerly, and I am not able to give the business of the council the time and attention which the position demands. It is Avith extreme regret that I take this step, as the work of the council has been a great pleasure to me, as I take a very live interest in the welfare of our town and district. I have to thank the Mayor, my fellow councillors and the staff for the pleasant relations which have existed between us, and for the courtesy with which-they have always treated me, and wish to convey a special word of thanks to the two gentlemen who been associated with me on the Works Committee.

The Municipal Association's solicitor wired stating that the disqualified councillors could be re-elected and sit as councillors at the time of election if such councillor is under no contract with the council for more than five pounds. The amounts involved were read by the clerk : —Cr. Collett's firm £ll 4s 2d, Cr. Haines_£3o, mainly for bricks. The Mayor said Cr. Haines was the only one who could supply the council with bricks.

The resignations were accepted with regret. Cr Wratt said he would like to move, if there was nothing improper in his doing so, that the council place on record their high appreciation of both councillors' work on the council in the past, and especially in regard io Cr Collett. The amounts were not large, and improper motives could not be imputed. He was sure that no better councillors had ever sat at their table and he was sure that if they stood they would both be reelected. He thought Cr Collett was doing the right tiling in retiring, as he had worked hard for the council.

The Mayor thought there was nothing improper in thanking the councillors for their services. A mistake had been made, but it was not intentional.

Or Harrison" seconded Cr Wratt's proposition, and it was carried unanimously.