CITY BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 395, 17 April 1871, Page 2

CITY BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the mem bers of the City Board of Commissioners was held this afternoon, at the office of the Board, Canada Buildings. Present—Messrs Philips, Smart, Bugden, Hampton, Macreadv' Asher, Tonks, George, Atkin, and Staines New Members.—Messrs. Tonks and Hampton ware introduced to the Chairman as new members of the Board.

Mr. Hampton said lie had a petitionftolay before the Board, requesting the members of the Board to resign before the Municipal Corporation Act came into operation, in order that the citizens might have an opportunity of electing their representatives afresh. The petition was signed by 250 persona' In presenting the petition Mr. Hampton moved that it be received.—Seconded by Mr. Staines, and agreed to. —Mr. Smart moved that the standing orders be suspended to enable the Board to deal with the petition.— Agreed to.—Mr. Smart thought it would be unwise for the present Commissioners to resign their seats ; it would put the city to a great expense. Six of the members would have to resign very shortly. He moved that the Board declines to accede to the request of the petition just presented, inasmuch as they believe it would notbe for the public interest they should resign in a body, and they learn that the petiton has been hawked about for signature by persons of interested motives, and perso 1 feeling against some members of the Board, and in many instances has been signed by persons not duly quali6ed as ratepayers to do so but that in the event of anyone calling on their representative to resign, and a written request of one-third of the electo/a of such ward, the members pledge themselves td immediately resign." He thought that the adoption of the motion he had moved wag the most judicious course that could be pursued by the Board. There were several people's names to the petition who had no vote, and the petition was 'got up from interested. motives.—Se-. conded by Mr. George.—Mr. Staines said that Mr. Tonks' name was to the petition.— Mr. Tonks said it was put there before he was elected. —Mr. Staines said if one resigned all ought to resign, including Messrs. Hampton and Tonks. He would move that they all resign together. —Mr. Atkin asked the two new members if they would resign?—Mr. Hampton said he certainly would if they wished him to.—Mr. Tonks said he ■was quite willing to resign the honor which he had borne for so short a period.— Mr. Staines' amendment was not seconded. —Mr. At kin said that the names of twelve gentlemen were on the petition who had come to him aiid asked him not to resign. If onethird of the men who put him in the Board asked him to resign he would do so. [Left sitting.] , ;