THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 599, 26 August 1867, Page 3

THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIIIE3

Sir — I am much surprised at the. fact that this body has not been able to muster a quorum of late. I had expected long before this the appointment of a Legislative Committee to watch the progress through the Assembly of the Municipal {[Coporation Bill introduced by t the Government. This Bill has' now passed its second reading, and at our latest date upwards of two hundred of its clauses had passed in committee. Have the members of the Council thought at all of the effect the passing of this Bill will have ? Have they even taken the trouble to apply for a copy of it. It provides for all Corporations at present established by Provincial Ordinances, coming under its operations or ceasing to be. It limits the rating power to one shilling crdinary rate, and sixpence special rate. It provides that no special rate shall, be levied except after an annual election, before which election the rate shall have been proposed. It confines the rating liability to freehold property. It abolishes the machinery provided by our local ordinance for the election of the Mayor by tho citizens from amongst the Councillors previously chosen. So I infer from all I have heard and seen mentioned of the Bill, which by this time has probably passed the House of Representatives, and our Municipal Council have actually not troubled themselves at all about a measure of Such an utterly revolutionary character as far as it effects them. I believe a meeting of the Council is to be held on Monday evening, if a quorum can -be got together, and I will say no more on the subject until I see what they have to say for themselves. We are close upon the date fixed by the Ordinance for the ne*v elections, and I anl many of my class would like to know precisely where we are. I am, &c, Burgess. August 24, 1867.