QUEENSTOWN TOWN BOARD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 26, 29 July 1863, Page 5

QUEENSTOWN TOWN BOARD.

A public meeting was held at Bracken's Hotel, on Monday evening for the purpose of taking into consideration the establishment of a town board. The meeting was an early hour. Mr. M'Gaw in the chair. Mr. Cass moved the following resolution

That it is desirable to proceed at once to the election of a committee, to be cabled the " Queenstown Improvement Committee," such committee to consist of thirteen —fivej to j form a quorum—whose duty shall be to forward in every possible way the best interests of the town; and especially to act as a medium between the people and the Government. Said committee to remain in office till such time as the Government will sanction the formation of a Town Board under the Town Board Act. In support of the resolution the speaker said that though the proposed Council wuuld not have the power to levy rates, &c., it might be able by means of the voluntary support of the residents of Queenstown to do a great amount of good to the township in the way of improving the streets, &c.; and would also possess another advantage—namely, that of acting as a medium between the township and the Government in any matter of improvement—the Government having a disinclination to communicate with private individuals or the editor of a newspaper. Mr. Gordon considered this the wisest step they could take; and though they could not form a municipality until the lands were sold, such a body as that proposed could do a great deal of good. He would second the resolution with pleasure. Carried unanimously. A show of hands being taken on a number of names proposed to the meeting, the Chairman declared elected Messrs. Gordon, Bracken, M'Gaw, Rees, Harris, Wood, Weaver, Bruce, Gash, Powell, Gibson, Kiley, and Marks; Messrs Cass, Carey, Smyth, Cassius, Walker, and Webster being the lowest on the list Mr. Gordon 6aid there must be some mistake. Mr. Cass ought certainly to be elected—he would be able to do the district a great deal of good. Mr. Rees would be happy to resign his place in favor of any gentleman (No, no, &c., cries of u re-election." Mr. Marks said he would be most happy to resign, as he would not have time to attend to the duties. Mr. Cass said he certainly did think he would be elected, and he thought he had reason for that belief; and would accept the offer of Mr. M&rks* Mr. Carey said that as a beaten candidate he had a few words to say. It appeared to him that there was some understanding iu the form of election. The meeting was not aware at that time that the hands would be counted as votes. If he were beaten, he liked to be beaten on his merits, and would demand a poll. A discussion of a totally irrevelant nature here took place, when Mr. Cass said he presumed they came there to do business, and not to play. They were met to elect a committee, and if they remained till twelve o'clock they ought to carry out their purpose. He would move—

That names be submitted to the chair for election, and that instead of deciding by show of hands, that there be a division. Mr. Gordon seconded.

Mr. Welsh proposed as an amendment —

That we only receive the nomination to-night, and that a meeting be held on Thursday evening for their election.

Seconded by Mr. Walker. Mr. Gordon objected. Amendment lost.

Mr. Cass submitted the following names to the meeting, as eligible for electionßees, Gordon, M'Gaw, Cassius, Harris, Smyth, Weaver, Bracken, Walker, Powell, Bruce, Gibson, Cass,

Carey. Mr. Marks said that instead of having the names in globo, it would be better that each bo put separately. (Laughter, cheers, and cries of " No globo.")

Mr. Cass rose to order. He merely laid those names before the meeting instead of one —not for election in globo. (Roars of laughter, and a passage of arms between Messrs. Cassius and Marks.) The Chairman hoped the meeting would not degenerate into a rabble. Sir. Marks—l beg to move that instead of being put before the meeting in globo—(The speaker was here again interrupted by shouts of laughter, those words seeming to tickle the fancy of the meeting immensely.) Mr. Cass —There is no resolution before the meeting that they be put in globo. (Another yell.) I have only submitted these names. The following names were then proposed separately to the meeting, to their grievous dissatisfaction ; and loud were the cheers and calls for globo, mingled with demoniacal yells of laughter and uproar during the process of nomination Wood, Marks, Budd, M'Beath, Kiley, Angus, Manders, Webster, Malaghan, Comiskey, Welsh.

Captain Budd declined the honor, as he was too much engaged to attend to such duties. (Laughter, and a cry—" You don't measure timber by night, do you captain.") Mr. Manders also declined, amid much laughter. A Digger—l beg to propose Mr. Globo. (Another burst, and a recommendation from another blue-shirted individual that the candidates shout for all hands). Mr. M'lntyre expressed his opinion that the miners had nothing to do with the business of the residents of Queenstown, and moved— That the miners retire to one end of the room, and allow the business people to elect the Town Board among themselves. Seconded by Mr. Bruce. Mr. Bergen strongly objected, but the uproar was so deafening that only broken and detached sentences could be heard. The din was further increased by Mr. Cassius endeavoring to escape from the meeting, and being held back by several cf his friends, which scene was productive of many yells and much laughter on the part of the representatives of the u great unwashed" present. Mr. Bergen was understood to claim the credit of having formed similar committees to that now proposed, on the Shotover, but which declaration met with great disapprobation by the meeting. Mr. Cass quite agreed with the motion of Mr. M'lntyre. If the Town Board were legally constituted, none but holders of town allotments could have a vote. It was nothing to do with the miners, for whom he had a great respect, (Laughter, and cries of " Baa," in imitation of a calf.) Resolution put and lost, and more noise. Mr. Cass proposed adjournment till Thursday next.

Mr. White strongly objected. Mr. Harris said he should be sorry to mention any names, but the noise chiefly came from two or three gentlemen who were about to leave the district. (Laughter, and cries ef a Any advance on five bob ?' ? ) Resolution put and lost, amid cries of il Tonight, to-night." Mr. Cass then moved—" That the previous question be considered." Considerable confusion here ensued, many desiring to know what the " previous question" was ; but when explained such a terrible row ensued, that the Chairman in despair declared the meeting adjourned till Thursday evening, and vacated the chair. To describe the meeting as disgracefully rowdy, would convey but a slight idea of what it really was; but which, all our adjectives being already expended, we must refrain from describing, preferring to leave it to the imagination of those who were not present. The conclusion was like a peep into Pandemonium; and offered a chance, not often to be met with, to any colonial Dante to sketch from life a new " Inferno/'