Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 261, 19 November 1870, Page 4

Blenheim Borough Council.

The Council met on Tuesday evening, when the Mayor, and all the Councillors were present except Cr Farmar. The Town Clerk reported that the case of Mr Barleyman had been heard before the Resident Magistrate, when he was fined Is with 3s costs. Accounts. On the motion of Cr Hutcheson, it was resolved that the financial year should terminate on October 30. Complaints.— A letter from Mr Eyles complaining of the erection near his house of a dangerous brush erection, which was referred to the Inspector of Nuisances to report upon.—An application from Mr Compton, for leave to cut a ditch in Dillon street, was referred to the Inspector of Works. Crs Hutcheson and Sinclair called attention to a brush place behind Mr Elbeck’s shop, which they considered dangerous, was also referred to the Inspector. Borouqh Schools. —Cr Collie moved that a "^nrmtEee - be apptThited to examine into the state of the schools, and report thereon. He considered an examination necessary, as the Council were now responsible, and it was their duty to examine into the state of the education at the present time, to see if any improvements can be effected, and what is required. All he intended was to promote such education. He thought the Committee should be members of the Council, so that they could report to it from their places.—Cr Robinson thought the motion a very proper one, and that the Schools

ought to be looked after.—The Mayor quite agreed in the suggestions, and thought no more suitable persons could be appointed than Messrs Collie and Hodson. He was not quite sure whether they would accept the schools or not, as yet, as they might be too great a burden for them. —The motion was carried, and Messrs Collie and Hodson appointed. Running Cattle in Town. —Cr Hodson asked leave to amend his motion, so as to allow cattle to run on certain lands held by Messrs. Bomford, Budge, Hodson, Sinclair, and on the south side of the Taylor ditch. —The motion was postponed till next meeting. Election of Mayor. —Cr Robinson resumed the discussion upon his motion by stating that he thoroughly believed the election ought to be in the hands of the people. He looked on the Mayor as the head of the town, and ought to be a person to be looked up to ; and he would agree to whoever might be elected by the ratepayers. —Cr Hodson was at a loss to see what advantage was to be gained. They had elected the Mayor before, and could do so again ; and did not believe that one-fourth would record their votes, or cared anything about it. The Mayor was only chairman of the Council, and the Council was the best judge who was the most fitting. Perhaps only a fourth of the town might vote, and in such case he should be sorry to put in the man they chose They were able to do it to the satisfaction of the people ; it was only an honorary appointment, and he had not the handling of any monies, therefore was not responsible to the people, and he would vote against the motion.—Cr Sinclair held similar views, and remarked that, as the Council was elected by the people, it was a reflex of their opinion. The Mayor was simply chairman of the body, and so was on a par with the Provost of a large town. They need not go beyond the Council to find a worthy Mayor, but, while he would not take it himself, be would like to see all who have not passed the chair do so in rotation. He looked on the proposal as such an innovation, and thought they could do very well as they had hitherto done.—Cr Collie agreed with the motion on pii. ciple. The Mayor was not the head of the Council, but of the town ; and he thought it was a great privilege to have a Municipality with a Mayor in this little township. They had often talked in old times of wlio should be the Mayor, and he was glad to see one there that night. Bodies who elected who elected their own head might elect one to some extent unsuitable for mere party reasons. He should be selected from the Council, but he ought to be elected by the people, whom he felt sure would take an interest in it. It was a delicate question to propose who should be Mayor, and it brought ill-feeling into the Council by some being passed over, while unanimity was secured by the Council refusing to elect. Councillors ought not to seek honors until they had earned them, otherwise it was a great piece of conceit. Were it not for innovations we should all have been savages this day. It would have been better for London if it had had a Mayor who would introduce innovations by altering some of its streets. He then moved an amendment limiting the choice to the Council Cr Taylor believed the burgesses would vote to a man, and would let fh‘sm have a try at it.— Cr Nos worthy was willing to try the plan for once, and if three-fourths did not vote, he would not consent to it again. In London every freeman, and in Dunedin and Christchurch every ratepayer, voted for the Mayor, and he thought they should also have the right.—Cr Hodson objected to it being restricted to the Council. — The Mayor said he would vote against the amendment, as he did not think they had a right to restrict or clog the privilege proposed to be given by conditions, as the Act said they could elect any burgess It would be better to ascertain what Councillors would stand before putting their names down for nomination. The town took great interest in the subject. He would have been glad if the election of Councillors could have been by ballot; but, notwithstanding what the Attorney-General said, the Act stated very specifically how they should be conducted, and he would be very sorry to have the Act interfered with by the Provincial Council, which was impossible. There was not much difference between a Superintendent and a Mayor, as it was only a matter of degree. We were not tired of the Act, but wished to extend their privileges and its usefulness. He yet hoped to see all elections co id noted by ballot, which would make the electors really independent. He would vote against the amendment, and for the original motion. The nomination could be done in the same way as for Councillors. —Cr Sinclair was averse to both motion and amendment, and would always like to see the Mayor elected by the Council. —Cr Collie would vote for the motion if the amendment was lost.—Cr Hutcheson was opposed to the amendment as being contrary to the spirit of the motion. The amendment was then put, and lost, Crs Taylor and Collie alone being in favor. On the motion being put a division ensued, when those in favor were—the Mayor, Crs Robinson, Hutcheson, Taylor, Collie, and Nos worthy ; against it—Crs Sinclair, and Hodson. Miscellaneous. Some minor matters were dealt with by the Council. It was decided that in future the meeting should be monthly, on the first Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. That the Town Clerk should write to the Provincial Government requesting it to hand over the proceeds of publican’s licenses since July Ist. Also that the Collector be requested to furnish the names of those persons who have not yet paid their rates.