QUEENSTOWN TOWN BOARD.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 August 1863, Page 4

QUEENSTOWN TOWN BOARD.

A meeting was held at Bracken's Hotel on Thursday evening, Mr. Harris in the chair. The Chairman stated that they were met to elect gentlemen to serve on the proposed Town Board. As there was some misapprehension on the occasion of the last meeting, he would then tell them that a show of hands would be taken on each gentleman nominated, and that those having the highest number of votes would be elected. Mr. Manders asked if there were any term mentioned that they should remain in office. Mr. Gordon thought that three months would do. If the committee pleased the public and did their duty, they would be reelected. ' Mr. Cass said that at the previous meeting he moved that they should remain in office till the Government gave them power to act legally. Mr. Carey said that was a very indefinite time. It might be two years before the land was sold, and the Government could not do so before. Mr. Burke said they were unable to form a Town Board. There were only three places where they had that power —Dunedin, Port Chalmers, and Invercargill. Mr. Bracken.—Yes, they have one at Oamaru. Mr. M'Gaw said they seemed to be under some misapprehension. They had no power to form a Town Board till the Government granted that power; but it would be the duty of the committee elected to put themselves in communication with the Government, so that it might be brought about. It would be useless to appoint for three months—the committee would not have time to do anything. Mr. Gordon moved—"That the Improvement Committee be in office six months." Seconded by Mr. Manders, and carried. Mr. Manders and Captain Budd being appointed tellers, a show of hands took place on the names of 27 gentlemen proposed, when the following were declared elected:—Messrs. Weaver, Bracken, Gordon, M k Gaw, Harris, Powell, Kiley, Wood, Rees, Gibson, Willis, Ryan, Comiskey. The Chairman said that there was some other business to be brought before the meeting, adjourned from Monday last, respecting the money collected towards paying the expenses of the delegates sent to Dunedin. One of those gentlemen had promised at a previous meeting to give up the money received by him to whomsoever the meeting might appoint. A committee meeting was held, and the decision they had arrived at was that £3O should be paid to Mr. Bradshaw, and £l6 to Mr. Gordon. He (the speaker) then wrote to the chairman of the meeting, Mr. Cass, who had been appointed to receive the money, acquainting him with the decision of the committee ; but Mr. Bradshaw declined to give over any portion of the money. It was, therefore, for the meeting to express their opinion. Mr. Powell.—This meeting was called for a certain purpose, and this affair has nothing to do with the election of the Town Board. If you want to go into the subject again, you should call another meeting. The Chairman said it was called for general business. Mr. Powell.—Perhaps you will read Mr. Bradshaw's letter. The Chairman.—Perhaps you will allow me to do my duty without interruption. (Symptoms of a row.) Mr. Cass said that he was deputed at a meeting held on the subject to receive the money, which it was decided should be handed over by Mr. Bradshaw. Mr. Harris, as chairman of the committee, wrote to him, enclosing the resolutions arrived at, which he forwarded to Mr. Bradshaw, and received, in reply thereto, a letter from that gentleman declining to give up the money. (Cries of " Read the letter.") 1 he Chairman.—l sent the letter to the press for publication, but I can tell you the substance. Mr. Bradshaw won't give up any of the money, and he'll stick to £6 till he found a qualified person to give it to. (More noise.) This meeting was called for business—do not turn it into a bear garden. Express your opinion as much as you like in a proper manner. I deny that Mr. Bradshaw said before a public meeting that he would require £4O to go to town. Mr. Powell. —I have been in the habit of attending many public meetings, but I never yet heard a chairman before take part in the discussion. It has nothing to do with the public: it is the duty of the committee to have that money distributed in a proper manner. The whole of that money was offered here at this table to be given to any gentleman nominated at that time. Mr. Cass—l was appointed to receive that money, but it has not been paid to me. It is an insult to the public. Mr. Gordon—As I was one of the delegates

I wish to make a few remarks. I said I did not want any money. ("Question"). No question at all. If I went to town it was as much on my own business as yours—one has as much interest in the matter as another. We have institutions here—the hospital for instance —who are more in want of money than I am. Let the hospital have it. I would scorn to put the money in my pocket like the gentleman in question has done. He has received your money, collected from some who could scarcely afford to subscribe it. Look at the accidents on the Shotover—there are men coming in without a penny in their pockets (" Question")—men lying sick and unable to move, taken to the lock-up for want of a proper place to put them in. I have witnesses to prove that Mr. Bradshaw had other business called him to town besides that of the public of Queenstown. Mr. Gash moved—" That none but subscribers adjudicate on this matter, and that a special meeting of subscribers only be called to settle it." Seconded by Mr, Lofty. Mr. Cass moved as an amendment—"That the resolutions arrived at on committee relative to the distribution of the deputation funds be approved of and adopted by this meeting." Seconded by Mr. Manders and carried. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated.