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Colonist, Volume XVII, Issue 1897, 6 April 1875, Page 3

J An adjburned meeting of the Council was ' held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs Thompson, Harper, Carter, Webb, Gray, Wilkins, and > Burn. : me youngeb's case. ' Cr Bubn read Mr Tounger's letter as [ published in the Colonist of Saturday last. 1 Cr Thompson moved, and Cr Habpeb ' seconded—" That Mr Thomas Younger be requested to withdraw his letter dated 2d April, 1875, and tender his resignation forthwith unconditionally." Cr Geay said the Council could not relieve Mr Younger of his duties in part. It must be the whole or nothing. Cr Webb thought that the resignation should not be " unconditional." The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. Cr Gbat moved—" That the Gasworks be placed fro tern, under care of Alexander Lowrie, as working manager, who shall receive & — per week, and enter into an agreement, to be arranged by the Gas and Water Works Committee, in conjunction with his Worship the Mayor." He and another Councillor had been at the Gasworks that day, and found that the new retorts were getting into the same state as the old ones. Cr Wilkins seconded the motion. The Mayor said he hoped the arrangement was only temporary, as the public expected a thoroughly efficient manager— one who could make a report, &c, when required. Mr Lowrie would do until they could obtain such a man as he had spoken of. Cr Wilkins spoke in support of the appointment of Mr Lowrie. He was able to make gas, and was therefore fit for the position. Cr Cabteb thought the management of the inside work could be entrusted to Mr Lowrie, and the outside to the City Surveyor. Cr Burn knew that Mr Lowrie was competent to take the management of the gasworks, but did not know whether he could keep the necessary accounts. In any case he should be retained as foreman. The motion was carried unanimously. THE TOWN OLBBKSHIP. The Mayob asked the Council to fix the amount of salary to be paid to the next Town Clerk. Cr. Wilkins, in order to awake a discussion, moved, " That the salary which shall at present be attached to the office of Town Clerk be £200 per annum." He did not intend trying to coerce the Council into agreeing with his proposal, but he wished to hear an expression of opinion on the part of the Council. In his opinion they did not require a lawyer for a Town Clerk, and, therefore, it was not necessary that a very large salary should be given; If legal advice were wanted, it could always be obtained outside the Council. Cr. Gray seconded the motion. Cr. Webb thought some difference should be made between the salaries of the late Town Clerk and the person who will be appointed, because the former had been paid on the understanding that he should collect the rates. He would support the motion on the condition that the next Clerk should I be allowed a house and gas and water free of charge. The Mayor did not agree with the motion, i He thought that the Town Clerk, being a ■ man of education, should receive a good ] salary, and more than an ordinary mechanic. \ He was of opinion that they should have a lawyer as Town Clerk. There was a vast i amount of correspondence to be~conducted j therefore a man of education should be em- i employed, and a man of education should be ' paid for his education. Such a man would j not stop for £200. He advised them to : make the salary the same as before. 'He i moved as an amendment, " That the salary ' be £300," aa they could not get a man worth his salt for a less sum. : Cr Harpee seconded. : Cr Wilkins said that there was no proof i hat high pay secured efficient service in all • cases. Head work could be got as cheaply ] in the, Colonies as hand work, and conse- -1 quently the Council should not wish to pay ( any larger sum than they need. He would i be willing to agree to a motion fixing the ! salary at a sum between the two named. ( He considered £200 in Nelson to be as good l as £250 in some other parts of the Colony. t Cr Webb asked whether the Clerk would have to live on the premises. ' •] The Mayor was understood to say that for ( his own part he should say, " No." The j amendment was put with the following , result:—Ayes: The Mayor, Crs. Burn, i Harper, and Thompson. Noes : Crs. Webb, i Carter, Gray, and Wilkics. The Mayor ' gave his casting vote with the Ayes, and the ] amendment was therefore declared carried. , The duties of/the Town Clerk were fixed, i eeseevoie. ! Mr John Stone wrote calling attention to j the fact that the reservoir wanted repairing. It was decided that the matter should be J] attended to immediately. 1