Blenheim Borough Council

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 178, 5 June 1869, Page 5

Blenheim Borough Council

On Wednesday last, the first meeting of the recently-elected Town Councillors was held in the Town Hall, when all the CouncTtroi^^re~present, except Mr. Collie, who had left for England. Messrs. Nos worthy, Robinson, Sinclair, Litchfield, Bythell, Hutcheson, Dodson, and Hodson made the following declaration, and took their seats : “ I do solemnly declare that I will faithfully and impartially, according to the best of my skill and judgment, execute all the powers and authorities reposed in me as a councillor by virtue of ‘ The Municipal Corporations Act, 1867.’ ” Councillor Sinclair said, now that all were present, their next duty was to elect a Mayor. The office was one not only of honor, but responsibility, more especially as they would lie under the disadvantage of having no precedents to guide them. He hoped the Councillors would make business as easy as was possible for the Mayor. He trusted that a spirit of unanimity would prevail, and that they would all pull together for the good of the town. He then proposed as the first Mayor of Blenheim. ‘"■'Couhcillbf” Hutche sojsrpin seconding the motion, hoped they would be unanimous in all their proceedings, and cordially endorsed the commendation bestowed by the last

speaker. Cr. Nosworthy supported the nomination, Mr. Litchfield had now retired from business, and would have the leisure necessary for the duties of the office. As a business man he had proved himself such, and he did not think they could do better than elect him.

Cr. Dodson supported the motion most heartily, and he was glad to say that Mr. Litchfield had the support of the whole Council. He hoped they would all support him in the arduous duties devolving upon him, which he felt sure he would fulfil carefully and promptly, and as well as any one in the Colony, possessing, as he did, thorough business abilities. For himself, he should do all in his power to assist him in the position, Cr. Robinson and Cr. Bythrlu expressed themselves to the like effect. The mover and seconder then escorted the Mayor elect to his seat. The Matoe, addressing the Council, said it was quite natural that he should feel some amount of trepidation at finding him-

self in such an honorable position as they had now placed him in—of being Mayor of the Corporation. He certainly did not aspire to this position when, in conjunction with others, he took an active part bringing the town under the Municipal Corporations Act. He could not see himself as others saw him, and he did not think he was very ambitious. Perhaps others might think different. He would not say as Ccesar did, that “ he would rather be the first man in an Italian village than the second man in Romebut, while he did not admit that he was ambitious enough to desire that honorable position, he would not say it would be right to refuse it when offered so unanimously as it had been. When he landed in the Beaver 10 years ago, he little thought—whenTJecame to the toi ioi whare in which he carried on business'll Symons and Co.—that he should see in 10 years a Mayor and Corporation, much less did he think of being the first Mayor. As they had placed him there, he trusted that he should be able to maintain the office with the respect it deserved, and which the Burgesses of Blenheim would expect. He looked upon it as a double honor—an honor in being their Mayor, but which was a still greater honor, was the unanimous and very kindly way in which they had spoken of his abilities. He could only say he would endeavor to merit their confidence to the utmost. Taking a business view, and looking at his position as Chairman of a Board of Works, he felt it a responsibility requiring greater official experience than he possessed ; but he trusted by industrious application to his duties, and their kind assistance should he get astray, to work to their satisfaction. With regard to business they could not do much that day, bus it was necessary that they should elect a Town Clerk with as little delay as possible. With the view of assisting those who might not have had time or opportunity to go over the Act, he would mention those clauses which most particularly bore upon the duties of the clerk. These were clauses 52, 53, 54, 55, 61, 133, 135, 139, 141, 142, 144, 145, also 6, 40, in the 13th schedule. It would not be necessary to go into particulars as to the duties of the Councillors. He would recommend an early consideration of a code of bye-laws. There was such a code in the 13th schedule, part of which he thought might be adopted at once. As this was only a preliminary meeting, he would only remark further, that their object should be to distribute the work over the streets of the whole town this year, and make them passable, doing more works next year. He believed that if they 1 laid out the money as carefully as if it was their own, acting unitedly and impartially,’ they would soon put the town in a better state; and as the town of Beaver went on steadily improving before Marlborough existed as a Province, so would the Town of Blenheim flourish though Marlborough should become defunct. He urged that if they made a pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, they would soon see satisfactory results. He again thanked them for the honor done him.

Cr. Nosworthy moved the adjournment of the meeting until the evening of the following day, and gave notice of motions for the consideration of the salary and duties of the Town Clerk; and for the appointment of a committee of the whole to consider which clauses of the Act should be adopted by the Council. Cr. Dodson, in seconding the motion for adjournment, requested the Mayor to make arrangements for a place of future meeting. He thought it well if they could have a room for the use of the Mayor, in which could be deposited their property and documents. The Council then adjourned. Thursday, June 3rd, 6 p.m. Present: the Mayor in the chair; Councillors Robinson, Sinclair, Hutcheson, Nosworthy, Bythell, and Dodson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Cr. Nosworthy moved that the Council resolve itself into a committee of the whole with a view of considering the duties and salary of the Town Clerk. He saw by Clause 50, that it was necessary to fix the salary of the Town Clerk before advertising for one. The subject required consideration, as the duties were more onerous than was generally imagined. Cr. Robinson seconded the motion, which was put and carried. Couneil in Committee, the Mayor in the chair.

The Chaieman indicated those clauses and portions of the Act which related to the subject. Cr. ISToswoethy moved that the salary be fixed at £SO a year. Cr. SiNciiAiE seconded the motion pro forma . >. Cr. Hutcheson was aware that the duties were very considerable, but thought £3O

sufficient for a beginning if the Clerk and Collector was also added. Cr. Btxhell wished to move that the Clerk be Collector and Treasurer, and considered £SO quite little enough. Cr. Sinclair called attention to the motion; the subject before them was respecting the clerk, and no other officer. Cr Dodson moved as an amendment that £4O be the sum voted with a view of adding other duties afterwards. He thought £SO little enough, but believed they could get them done for the money. Cr. Sinclair was not sure that the ma-i chinery of the Act would allow the offices; to be combined. He believed, however,; they were not compatible, as A. B. wouldj be correcting B. C. He wished the of the Clerk to be defined, and, if thought's advisable to combine them afterwards, to attach a salary to each. He did not believe in under-officials being underpaid ; but this was a small place, and they should not pitch their key-note too high, as it was easier to raise it afterwards than to reduce it. He agreed with the mover of the amendment, of £3O being the sum. He thought that it was, as a rule, undesirable to combine the offices of Clerk and Collector. We might have a man that would suit well as Clerk, but not as Collector, as they would require him to find heavy security in the latter capacity. He would have a servant well paid, but wished them to be economical and efficient.

The Chairman thought if the duties required half ef a man’s time, he should be paid for half his time. The subject of combining the offices might be considered afterwards. He thought that £3O was far too little, and that £SO was not at all too much.

Cr. Dodson thought proficiency could scarcely be expected from a lo w salary. Cr. Sinclair, on further reflection did not see how the duties of |Clerk and Collector could be combined. He would support the amendment with the understanding that the collectorship be given to a different person. Cr. Dodson’s amendment that the salary be £4O, was then put and passed, and the Chairman reported progress. Cr. Nosworthy having given notice of his intention to move “ That the Council resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to consider what clauses of the Municipality Act should be adopted by the Council,” after some consideration he asked leave to withdraw it for the present. OK Dodson movecTthat the Mayor, with Councillor Sinclair, and the mover be a deputation to wait on the Superintendent, and ask leave to occupy a room, not only for a place of meeting, but for business purposes, for the reception of their property and documents. ' ' Cr7T)oDsoN moved that the salary of the Valuer be £lO a year. The motion was seconded by Cr. Hosworthy, and carried. The Council then adjourned to Tuesday evening next, at 7 o’clock.