CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8480, 11 May 1893, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH CITY COUNCIL.

A statutory meeting of the City Council was held yesterday at rioon. ' Present—Crs. Bonnington, Cooper, E. Smith, Widdowson, Swarm, Gray, Payling, Gapes, J. T. Smith, Flesher, and J. Anderson, jun.

At five minutes past twelve, the Mayor not being present, Cγ. Paylikg moved—" That Cγ. Gray take the chair."

The Town Clerk said that he could not see that the Act permitted this. Cr. Cooper a&ked whether the Mayor had sent an apology. The Town Clerk said " No.*' Gγ. Cooper asked whether the Mayor had received a notice.

The Town Clerk said the Mayor had instructed him to call the meeting, and he (Mr Haskins) had asked him if the day would suit.

Cγ. Cooper said that perhaps there was some misunderstanding, as he believed som; of the Councillors had a notice for "Monday," 10th May.

The Town Clerk produced the messenger book, which showed the signatures of the Mayor and Councillors as having received a notice.

Cr. Cooper seconded the motion of Cr. Payling that- Cr. Gray take the chair, which was put by the Town Clerk and carried.

The Chairman said the meeting had been convened uuder the Act to hear and determine all claims and objections to the burgess liet. There were no objections, so that the resolutions to bs moved were merely formal

Cr. Flesher raised the technical point that the burgess list should be signed by the Chairman. The Act clearly contemplated that the list should be signed there and then, and as the Mayor was not present he could not sign it. He moved —"That the Chairman, Crs. Cooper and Gapes sitrn the but gets list, which shall be the burgess roll for the year."

Cr. E. Smith seconded the motion. Cr. Paylixg moved, as an amendment — " That the name of the Mayor b« added." Cγ. Widdowsox seconded the amendment.

Cγ. J. T. Smith thought that they should add the Mayor. They ought not to let it look, for one moment, like taking advantage of the absence of the Mayor. The Chairman said that, as they knew, he did not wish to sign the roll without the Mayor. Still, his Worship was absent without apology from a statutory meeting where his presence was required more than any other. His absence might put them to considerable inconvenience. He thought, however, the Mayor ought to sign the roll. Cγ. Flesher could not see that they ougnt to do so, as the Mayor could not, being absent, certify to business of which he knew nothing. After some further discussion the name of the Mayor was added to the resolution. The Council then adjourned.