WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12409, 26 November 1908, Page 2

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

CR. BEST RE-ELECTED CHAIK-

MAN,

The statutory meeting of. the Wai" mea County Council was held at nooix yesterday for the purpose of electing a chairman. AH the Councillors were present, as follows: Crs. P. Best (Stoke Riding), 6. Macmahon. (Motupiko), H. Everett (Moteuka) W. Gill (Wangamoa), E.- S. Houlfc (Wai-iti), T. Hewetson (Moutere) and A. Drummond (Wangapeka). Crs Drummond and Hewetson took tiheir seats for the first time, they having been returned at it© recent election. Mr Bloomfield (the Cleric) took the chair and called for nominations'. Cr Everett proposed the re-election of Cr Best, of whom they had had three or four years' experience in J «he chair. Cr Best possessed the qualities required in a good chairman, courtesy, firmness when necessary, and absohrto fairness. It had been agreed that the office should not he considered a fixture, and for a few years it had changed hands annually, still there were good -reasons for contfluting Cr Best in the' office and that Councillor quite understood the position. Cr Gill seconded the motion. It had been found when the chairman was changed- yearly that it took about* the twelve months for the' new occupant to get accustomed; id the duties. They liacl ,a good man for ille position ancf they should keep him. The whole of wie.other Councillors supported the motion", which was carried unanimously. # ' Cr Best briefly expressed his thanks for the confidence that had been expressed in him, and stated that he would do his very best to discharge the duties faithfully and felt sure that he would continue to have the support of his fellow Councillors. Crs Everett, Macmahon, and Houlfc •wore re-elected representatives of the Council on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and Cr Gill was proposed as the fourth representative by Crs Macmahon and Drummond. Cr Everett proposed the Chairman, pointing out that at present "Wai-iti, which was from two to three times tho extent of the other ridings, and Stoke, which was larger than,'Motueka, had one representative only between them. It had been the custom for the Chairman not to he ■ elected as a representative but he thought this was not fair as he considered Cr Best to be in a much better position, living as he did at Appleby, to serve the Waimoa and Whangamoa districts, than Cr Gill, who lived at Wakapuaka. ■ . . Cr Gill seconded Cr Everett's proposition, saying that he would cheerfully withdraw in favour of the ChairThe Chairman said that he had stated that he would not. consent- to i nomination unless it was the unanimous wish" of the Council. He said that he would stick to it though if the wish was unanimous he would be pleased to act. ~_ Cr Hoult said.that he would not agree to Cr Gill withdrawing and Cr Drummond also objected, stating 1,1ia4 g66gripliically tliero should be a representative living in the "Vvancramoa district. . The Chairman said that he would not consent to nomination in the circumstances and Cr Gill was elected. It was resolved that the dog tax bo fixed at the usual amount.