ST. ALBANS MAYORALTY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10132, 3 September 1898, Page 5

ST. ALBANS MAYORALTY.

The postponed special meeting of the St. Albans Borough Council to receive and consider the resignation of the Mayor was held last night. Present—Crs. Money, Penteney, Glass, Neate, Hill, Morgan, Davey and Keig. Cr. Hill was voted to the chair. He read the Mayor's resignation. Cr. Davey asked what was the chairman's opinion of the words in the resignation, "in consequence of a breach of faith." He wanted to know what the breach of faith was. The Chairman said it was a matter of individual opinion, and need not be discussed. Cr. Money moved that the resignation be accepted. Cr. Penteney seconded the motion. Cr. Neate said the meeting was hardly necessary. It seemed from the Act that immediately the resignation was handed to the town clerk it became final, and the Council had no power either to receive or reject it. . Cr. Keig asked the town clerk why he had.caileff the masting. ••► .•• •>; The Chairman said the clerk had no option. A requisition ' had been signed. There was no need tj debate Cr. Neate's remarks. The Chairman further ruled that as soon as the Mayor's resignation had been put in the hands of the town clerk it became final. Cr. Money then withdrew his motion. Cr. Neate moved that the report of the town clerk re the resignation of the Mayor be received with regret. Cr. Keig seconded tbe motion pro forma. He did not feel much regret. The action of the late Mayor had been childish. He was like the little boy with the marbles; he would not play unless he got the lot. He remembered the conscientious way in which Mr Waymouth had served the ratepayers, but he had made a blunder in threatening the Council. Cr. Glass endorsed what Cr. Keig had said. AIL along the Council bad known that the work was an extravagant one, and should not be done with the funds of the Council unless the residents bore a portion of the expense. The Mayor's action was inscrutable. Cr. Penteney regretted the action of the Mayor. He had always understood that they were bound to take the width of land for the road but not the water. The expense of covering the creek would be too great. Cr. Davey could not see his way to support the resolution. He could not see the logic of regretting the resignation of a man who had -deliberately tried to force the Council. Cr. Neate said in. explanation that he did not regret the resignation of the Mayor, but the causes which had led him to resign. In putting the motion the Chairman said he was quite in accord with the resolution, although he regretted what had occurred. The Mayor had rendered very valuable services to the borough, and his time had always been at its disposal. Tbe irotion was carried without dissent. Cr. Neate pointed out that as over three months would elapse between the" Mayor's I resignation and the annual election the 1 Council had no option but to elect a Mayor. j The Council could not elect one- of its'* number temporarily. i After discussion Cr. Penteney moved that the opinion of the Council's solicitor should be taken on the matter. i Cr. Keig said if they were going to have 1 another Mayor for throe months it struck him they would have to pay dearly for their whistle this year. Cr. Neate opposed the motion. Cr. Money- seconded the motion, which * was lost. ~ ~ ~ Cr.'Neate quoted, the Act with reference to the Mayor's annual salary. As he read it, the man they elected Mayor would have to be paid the full salary (£25) for the year for three months' work. After discussion, Cr. Neate moved that the honorarium for the incoming mayor should be at the rate of £25 per annum. Cr. Morgan seconded the motion, which was carried. Cr. Keig moved, and Cr. Glass seconded— " That Cr. Neate be appointed ActingMayor." This was carried. A vote of thanks was passed to Cr. Davey for the statement he had written to the papers on the subject.