ELECTION OF MAYOR.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 607, 20 December 1871, Page 2

ELECTION OF MAYOR.

EETUBN OF MR. PHILIPSThe annual meeting of the City Council was held this morning at the Council Chambers. Present: P A Philips (Mayor); Councillors George, Hobbs, Smart, Macready, Hampton, Bugden, Isaac 3, and Tonks. The minutes of Council were read and confirmed. STATEMENT OP ACCOUNTS. The Balance Sheet was then read, shewing amounts received on account of rates £5669 9s, since May last, and from other sources £344 8s sd, leaving, after expending various amounts, a balance in hand of £2112 3s 4d. Councillor Hampton wished for information as to the item of £13 5s for law expenses. This was afforded, and the Balance Sheet adopted on the motion of Councilor Macready. ELECTION OF MAYOR. The Mayor vacated the chair and withdrew.

The chair was then taken by Councillor Smart on the motion of Councillor Macready, and the Council proceeded to fix the salary of the Mayor For the ensuing year. It was proposed that the salary be £250 per annum as heretofore. Councillor George moved as an amendment, and Councillor Hampton seconded, that the salary be £200. This was lost, and the original motion for £250 was then carried.

The election of Mayor was then proceeded with. Councillor Macready considered that it would be more satisfactory to the ratepayers if the Mayor was elected from among the " outsiders." He believed that before the next twelve months had expired something would be done in the matter to bring that event about. However, in the meantime, considering that Mr Philips had filled the office satisfactorily, he would vote that he be re-elected Mayor. He objected very much to the article that appeared in the Star last evening, and took occasion to denounce the presumed writer in rather violent terms.

Mr Hobbs cordially seconded the motion.

Mr George liked a little opposition, and would move as an amendment that they don't elect a Mayor until the Council had its full complement of members. He thought the Mayor had over-stepped his duties, >nd not fit to fill the important position. Mr Hampton begged to second that motion, as he thought it a wise plan, and one with which he believed the chairman coincided.

The Chairman begged to repudiate the statement.

Mr Isaacs strongly objected to any postponement, or to any one outside the Council being elected, as he considered that if any of their body was not fit to be Mayor he was not fit to a member of the Council. Any adjournment of the matter he looked upon as mere child's play. Mr Macready, under the circumstances, hoped that Mr George would withdraw his amendment, as he did not think he would have a majority. Mr George refused to withdraw. The amendment was then put and lost, and the original motion carried, Messrs George and Hampton being the only dissentient voices. Mr P A Philips was then formally introduced to the Council and made the usual declaration of office, and begged to thank the Council for the honor conferred on him, and assured them that he would endeavour to carry out his duties honestly and to the best of his abilities. TEAM WAY. The parties to whom the contract was granted for earthwork in Symonds street applied to be allowed to lay down a tramway in Wakefield street, which was agreed to. . This concluded the business.