WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11301, 20 December 1898, Page 6

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

'x'ho adjourned annual statutory meetinpof

tliis Cotmty Council, for the election, of a chairman,''was held in .the County Council Chambers, Palmerstbn, on Saturday last, at which"^thero were preseht^Crs G. Clarke,. J. Hartstonge, jun., M. Isbister, D. Kennedy, T. Muir, D. Ross, 0. Ross,;and J. Stewart.

The Olerk presided, arid, after reading a letter from the Colonial Secretary intimating that, an Order-in-Oouncil had been published in; the Gazette of the Ist December authorising the adjournment of. the election of chairman on the 17th inst., invited nominations for the office; when ..■-■?,.' Or Kennedy proposed Cr Aluir for re-olec-tibri. He said the council,had gone on very smoothly'in the past, that Cr Muir resided ai a convenient distance from the chambers, was through the townj very often, and was always available when required. He therefore had very, great pleasure in nominating Cr Muir: for re-election as chairman for the ensuing year... ■■■" v . Or Isbister had great pleasure in seconding the vnotiou. ■ ! " .. .

Or Stowart said he had great pleasure in proposing Or Isbister for the office of chairman, and did-so from no feeling against Or Muir,-but on the grounds, that tho office should be a rolling one.', During the past .18 or 20 years of the existence of the. county there had only been four' chairmen elected to the chairmanship. This he considered unfair to .other members, who were equally >s>mpetent to discharge the duties, and, believing that Cr Isbister would make.a good chairman, he had muoh pleasure, in nominating him.

Cr-Hartstongo seconded the motion, being of opinion that the office should be a rolling one,

that Or Muir had hinted his desire last year to give it up, and that Cr Isbister would make a good chairman-. TJiere were other membersof the council quite as competent to occupy the chair, and he held the opinion that the office should be a rolling one. He thereforo had great pleasure in seconding the amendment.

On a vote being taken ".the result was ag follows;— For the amendment, 3, against it, A. •■■ ' "•■.' "■"■. '• ".. ,

'The motion was then put and carried. Or Muir; in taking the chair, thanked the council for the honour done him in again electing him chairman- ; for the ensuing year.. He'had no doubt whatever but any other councillor would, make an equally good chairman.As they were aware,, however, the duties claimed a. certain amount of time, which lie

had ungrudgingly devoted, and would con: tiriue to do so in the future. The council had worked harmoniously togethor for the common good of the county, and with the assistance of members the same attention would be paid in carrying on the.businossof the council as had characterised its' proceedings in the paat. Ho thanked member for the courtesy extended to him, and trusted their mutual relations, of good feeling would continue, and that his actions during the.'ensuing year would justify their proof of renewed confidence.