NORTHCOTE COUNCIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 9

NORTHCOTE COUNCIL

THE STANDING ORDERS AMENDMENTS REJECTED A special meeting of the Northcote Borough Council last night, convened by requisition by Messrs. N. S. Davidson, A. G. Osborno and E. C. Fowler, to consider amendments t° the standing orders, was of short duration. When the first amendment was moved, the 'Mayor, Mr. R. Martin, said these standing orders contained no reference to the authority upon which they were based or formulated — a necessary requirement in such cases. The , date of their adoption was not stated and. they were not signed by any person. am advised," he added, "that the standing orders proposed to be reviewed do not comply with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act of either 1908 or 1920. None of the requirements exists in this case. I therefore rule 'that it is not competent for this council to amend or delete such standing orders, which, by their nature and failure to observe the legal requirements essential under the Act are automatically null and void."

; The Mayor said the standing orders were not -what they should be, but the cost of a revised and up-to-date set was always a restraining factor. However, the present set appeared to have worked tolerably satisfactorily for many years and it was for the council to decide if a solicitor should be instructed to draft a set and submit it for approval of the council.