STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS OF LOCAL BPDIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13055, 21 December 1905, Page 6

STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS OF LOCAL BPDIES.

REMARKS BY THE CHIEF* JUSTICE., , [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] vl Wellington, Wednesday. V Severe comment oh the remissness shown by some local bodies in carrying. out statutory obligations was "made by Sir Robert Stout, the Chief Justice, when giving judgment this morning in the case of appeal against a conviction, under a by-law passed by. the Masterton County Council. His Honor regretted that' some local bodies did noj- seem to be careful in the" exercise of. their statutory authority : -.: and- in making: '■ their minutes a proper record of their proceedings. If care had been exercised in this case this litigation would have been avoided. •It was as easy for a'local bodyto have everything properly entered in the t minute-book and the requirements complied 7" with as not. What could have been easier for the County Council than to have obtained a requisition from the chairman, or from three councillors,- calling a special ■ meeting 1, What could have ■ beep, easier ■■■ than to have entered in the minutes a statement that the by-law, after its confirmation, . ( /. was sealed by the authority: of the Council in the presence of the Council The appeal' must be dismissed,' but he doubted whether he i. ought to allow any costs, seeing that the County Council had not managed its business properly. : He, would al- , low only half costs (£3 3s). ' ' i . i ;