SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2730, 11 July 1906, Page 49

SOUTHLAND.

The Invcrcargill Corporation solicitors advise that the method of ballot for the town clerkship last w-cek was irregular ml that the voting was not open. They advise, that the council should begin de novo. A r councillor, after Mr T. W. Walker had) received 11 votes as against one in the final ballot, moved as an amendment that the candidate who had gone down in the fourth ballot be appointed, but the Mayor declined to receive the amendment. The solicrors now say he ought to have done so. Tho matter has given rise to some feeling and' press correspondence, mostly in defence of: Mr Walker's appointment, which was popular. The Invereargill Borough Council on the sth, on the advice of its solicitor.-, proceeded to appoint a town clerk, in accordance with the Municipal Corporation^ Act, its previous method of balloting not being in accordance with the law. On this occasion all the applicants were not ballottect for, a motion that Mr T. W. Walker, the former selection, be appointed being carried, as against an amendment that another bo selected, which found three supporter,* out of 11. A six-roomed house, owned by Mr Alex* Martin, and occupied by Mr L. Walton, was destroyed by fire on Friday. Th« building was insured for £350 in the Alliance Office, and the furniture for £150 in, the Norwich Union. The building wa* burned to the ground, and very little ofr the contents were saved. The fire is supposed to have been, due to a defective chimney.