GORE COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 22012, 11 May 1933, Page 4

GORE COUNCIL

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. The first meeting of the new Gore Borough Council for the purpose of the swearing-in ceremony was held at noon yesterday, the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) presiding over a full attendance consisting of Councillors J. A. Baldey, M. Fitzgerald, A. H. W. Aitken, W. Gee, G. C. Hamilton, W. K. Hamilton, J. Mathews, D. McDougall, jun., A. McLachlan, W. T. Trusler, jun., F. Wallis, jun., and J. A. Wright. After the declarations had been, signed the Mayor extended a welcome to the councillors. , There were a number of councillors at the table who were well versed in the council work, he said, while there were also some new members. This would make a wellbalanced council. He expressed the hope that during the council’s new term the difficult times through which the world was passing would come to an end and a brighter period would emerge. Money would be even tighter than in the past term, and it was doubtful whether there would be any finance available for developmental work as there had been in the past. His relations with the past council had been most cordial and he hoped that this would continue. Councillor Baldey, as the seniormember of the council, extended a welcome to the Mayor on his appointment. The Mayor was then sworn in for the new term. Councillor Baldey was elected Deputy-Mayor. Committees Appointed. The following committees were appointed:— Finance, Abattoirs and Town Hall: The Mayor, Councillors W. K. Hamilton, Baldey and Wallis. Works, Saleyards, Cemetery and Sanitary: The Mayor, Councillors McLachlan, G. C. Hamilton, Mathews and Trusler. Lighting, Water, Baths and Public Health: The Mayor, Councillors Wright, Aitken, Fitzgerald and McDougall. High School Board of Governors: The Mayor. Library Committee: The Mayor and Councillors Gee, W. K, Hamilton, and Wright. Chamber of Commerce: The Mayor and Cr. G. C. Hamilton. Representative on the Southland League: Tire Mayor. When the question of the declaration empowering councillors to sign cheques was raised, Councillor Wallis expressed his objection to the practice whereby the Mayor, the Deputy-Mayor, the treasurer and a member of the council signed cheques. He considered that a more business-like arrangement would be to empower members of the Finance Committee to sign cheques as they would be conversant with the accounts. Councillor G. C. Hamilton said that as the council had all accounts presented to it to be passed for payment the present practice was not irregular. Councillor Gee moved that the existing practice be adhered to. An amendment was moved that only the members of the Finance Committee along with the Mayor or Deputy-Mayor sign cheques. On an equal division, the Mayor gave his vote in favour of the amendment as an objection had been raised. The Mayor stated that the bank balance was at present £720 6/3. The council would probably be faced during the coming year with the question of a reduction in rates, but the estimates would not be framed until June. There was a prospect of a trying period so far as finance was concerned. The rates last year had come in surprisingly well, but about £l9OO was outstanding, and whether this would come in promptly this year was problematical.