GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2019, 22 April 1878, Page 4

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The members of the Council having been Invited by their Chair man (W. Postlethwaite, Esq.), by private note to meet him on Wednesday last at the Eoad Board office, Temuka, Messrs Acton, Cooper, Mendelion and Wilson attended. The object of the meeting was "to divide the sum of £4078 (which had been specially granted for that purpose) amongst the various cemeteries and domains m South Canterbury, with the exception of those m the Waimate County. The Chairman having explained to the members present the business for which he had called them together, Mr Acton took exception to their proceeding with the distribution of publio money m any such manner. He contended that that mooting had no legal status whatever, inasmuch as the meeting had not been convened m due form m accordance with the rule laid down m the Counties Act Amendment Bill. That Act provided distinctly that when the Counties Act had not been adopted it was necessary that a requisition should be made m writing to the Chairman, signed by three Councillors, requesting him to call a special meeting for any ( particular purpose, and it was then incumbent on tho Chairman to call that meeting, giving each Councillor seven clear days notic*. This part of the Act had not been complied with, and therefore he contended that any action they took that day m dividing the money would not be right. Mr Mendelson agreed with the view Mr Aotoh took of the matter, but thought the difficulty might have been got over had all the Councillor! been present. In that case had they all agreed to divide the money that day, he did not know of any power that could prevent their doing so. Ab, however, there were two of their number absent, ho quite concurred with Mr Acton that those present could not do so. She Chairman said Mr Mendelson's arguments placed the matter m a new light to

him, and he quite acquiesced m his opinions, and suggested that those Councillors present should sign a requisition to him to call a .neeting of the Council m due form, under the Counties Act Amendment Act. This was accordingly done, Messrs Acton, Mendelson, and Wilson signing the requsition. Mr Wilson then spoke briefly on the matter. He quite concurred with Mr Mendelson's arguments, and recommended that they should act m strict accordance with the law. We believe the Chairman will convene tho meeting for the Bth May next ensuing. Dr Kayner attended the meeting m the capacity of Chairman of the Arowhenua Cemetery Board. The debate which took place between the Chairman and Mr Acton was for a time very warm. The former thought the arguments adduced by Mr Acton were too much like splitting straws. The latter gentleman, however, considered that there was no splitting of straws m thn matter, as they were there not as Councillors but as private individuals, and hud no power, as private individuals, to deal with public money. TEMUKA ROAD BOARD. A special meefing of the Board was held on Thursday, the 18th inst., for the purpose of elecLing a chairman m the room of Dr Rayuer, resigned, and considering other matters. The Clerk took tho chair, pro. tern., and read tho following resignation from Dr Rayner, viz. : — " To the Members of the " Temuka Road Board. " 2nd April, 1878. " Gentlemen, — I have the honor (with deep regret), to tender you my resignation as your Chairman, and as a member of your Board. I have only to look buck to the last fifteen years to view with pleasure tho annual vote of thanks given me during twelve years of that term as Chairman, and the general courtesy and kindness more especially shown me. Very kind colleagues, let me thank you sincerely for the many harmonious meetings (purely unselfish) that we have been associated m. And, m taking leave of you as your Chairman, permit me to subscribe myself " Your obedient Servant, " T. O. Rayneb." Tho following resolution was proposed by Mr Talbot, seconded by Mr Barker, and unanimously carried : — " That the Board, m accepting the resignation of Dr Rayner as its Chairman, desire to express their regret at losing hia valuablo services, nnd to thank him for the uniformly able and court eous manner with which li 6 has presided for such a number of years ovor their meetings. And the Board are convinced the ratepayers at large reciprocate the same favorable sentiments. His gentlemanly manner and sound advice while acting as Chairman to this Board, have always been received by his colleagues with respect and confidence. Although" parting with him as Chairman and member, they hope to see him m their midst for many years to come." Mr Quinn proposed, Mr Barker seconded, and it was carried unanimously — " That Mr John Talbofc be elected Chairman of the Temuka Road Board." Mr Talbot ; m accepting office ns Chairman, said he had very great pleasure m acceding to the unanimous wish of the Board, as it proved tojhim that he had their confidence. That he had the confidence of the ratepayers at large was proved by the fact that he had been returned year after year by the ratepayers to represent them on that Board. As Chairman he would, while doing his duty, endeavor to make things run as smoothly as possible, and he hoped his colleagues would bear with him if inadvertently ho made any mistakes. The Boai'd resolved — " That m consideration of the proclamation by tho Governor that the Local Elections Act had been adopted, not having yet been gazetted, the Clerk telegraph to the Colonial Secretary to know if the Board could proceed to carry out the election of a member m the place of Dr Rayner resigned, m anticipation of the proclamation of the Governor being gazetted m due course." This was at once done by the Clerk, who also asked for an immediate reply. Proposed by Mr Barker, seconded by Mr Quinn, and carried — " That pending the reply from the Colonial Secretary, the Chairman be requested to take the necessary steps for conducting the ensuing election of a member to fill the vacancy caused by Dr Rayner's resignation." Proposed by Mr Ensor, seconded by Mr Barker, and carried— " That Dr Rayner be appointed to act as Returning Officer to the Board, under clause 6 of the Local Elections Act." Mr Blyth attended on the Board to ask their indulgence m tho matter of granting him an extension of time for completing his contract for building bridges at Milford. He stated ho had endeavored to get the necessary timber from tho local mills, but had failed to do so, and that he had at last been compelled to order it from Dunedin. It had been a matter of great difficulty m procuring the proper sizes even from there. Proposed by Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Ensor, and carried — "That m consideration of the great difficulty m the way of gettiug timber through the various untoward circum stances, as explained by Mr Blyth, an exten" tion of three months be allowed him." Proposed by Mr Barker, seconded by Mr Ensor, and carried — " That the Chairman be requested to take the steps required by the Public Works Act for taking over the land offered by Mr Gladstone for a road. Also, to conclude the purchase, and to do all that is required preparatory to opening up the road." Dr Rayner having entered the room, the Chairman read to him the resolution that had been passed accepting his resignation. Dr Rayner replied : I cannot, Sir, state how much I feel our separation, but the very flattering expression of your sentiments towards me, as just read, almost, but not quite, reconciles me to that separation. Iv you, Sir, who now occupy tho seat vacated by myself, I feel the Board have made a choice which will prove acceptable to all persons, and I am convinced that when you vacate that chair you mill merit even a more flattering eulogy than that unanimously voted me. The meeting then terminated.