ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9403, 9 January 1894, Page 6

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

THE LADY MAYOR'S RULINGS. A meeting of the Council was held last evening, and more than ordinary interest was evinced in the proceedings. All the seating accommodation was taxed to the utmost, whilst the corridor and approaches were also crowded. There were present : The Mayor (Mrs. Elizabeth Yates) in the chair, and Messrs. Colledge, Hastie, Mcfvenzie, Tapp, Jackson, Hills, Shaldrick. Owing to the non-appointment of a town clerk, Mr. J. D. Jackson voluntered to officiate temporarily. The minutes of the previous Council meeting were then read, but Mrs. Yates declined to sign them, as she had nob been present, and pointed out that ib was the duty of Dr. Erson. The minutes of the statutory meeting were then read and confirmed.

The acting Town Clerk them read the 1 minutes of the special meeting, which he then submitted to her Worship. . Mrs. Yates point blank refused to sign, or have these confirmed, on the ground that neither Messrs. J. Rowe nor C. Hill— whose names appeared as councillors—were entitled to be present. They had, she contended, no right whatever to Hie, as they had vacated their seats by resignation. She thereupon requested the acting clerk to tun his pen through their names. Mr. J. D. Jackson replied, "I've no authority to do so, and must decline. 1 would suggest that the minutes be signed under protest." Mrs. Yates: "Oh, no, I shan't do anything of the kind, as it will then stand as a record against my previous ruling." Mr. Jackson could not see it in that light, and again urged his suggestion. Mrs. Yates : "I still refuse to sign, and reiterate that the late town clerk had no right whatever to place their names on the minutes." After some further discussion, the matter was allowed to stand over. Mr. James Nixon came forward, and after making the usual declaration took his seat, and was welcomed by the Mayor. Mr. W. Wade, the other newly-appointed councillor, then came to the front, and said before he took his seat he wished to know I if the election was legal, or if any liability j attached to him ? The Mayor said she need nob answer this interrogation, bat to save any bother, aha would tel!. Mr. Wade that the election was perfectly legal. Still, at the same time, she was sorry to see that he had any doubt in the matter. Mr. Wade : Will the Council indemnify me against any possible action ? To this there were a chorus of " Noes," Mr. Wade then made the declaration, and took his seat. The next business was the appointment of a town clerk, for which position 40 applications had been received. Their names having been read, The Mayor immediately moved, "That Captain Richardson (who had offered to do to do the work for £90 per annum) be appointed to the position of town clerk, returning officer, etc., at a salary of £90 per year." Mr. Shaldrick seconded., Mr. Jackson strongly opposed, as the Act required the salary to be fixed, and the Council had invited application at a salary of £110 per annum. He did not believe in tendering for the position. Mr. Tap" also objected. The Mayor said Captain Richardson had a pension of £150 a year, so that he could ' afford to do the work for £90, and it wasn't everyday £20 could be saved for the Borough. . , , A desultory discussion then ensued, when Mr. Wade moved as an amendment, and Mr. Colledge seconded, " that Captain Richardson's tender be rejected as informal." The Mayor strictly declined to receive any amendment, and considered the motion was quite sufficient. A long delay occurred, bub after some discussion the Mayor consented to accept the amendment; which was then pub and lost. '■ ■■■■■'■* .f . ■ The motion was then put to the meeting »nd carried, only Messrs. Wade and Nixon objecting. .As the hour was somewhat late the meeting adjourned.