Friday, February 3rd.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1034, 10 February 1882, Page 3

Friday, February 3rd.

At 10 3d Hie Council resumed all councillors pre-ent, and •> Pyke in Hie chair Similar tactics as of the previous days were indulged in for a time, then Cr Me Tunis was proposed as permanent chairman. On being pur, to tbe vote Crs Stronach. Pitches Mcginuis, and Pyke voted “Aye” and Or M ‘Plin.il voted “ No.’’ 'The Chairman then declared the motion caniod and Or M'Ginnis look tin-chair.

Or M‘Kelbir protested against such a step being taken, and appealed to Cr M ‘Ginniss’ sc se of honor. A sene of confusion now ensued, during which, a minim was tabled— “ 1 hat the Council adjourn for a month ; also an amendment—“ That the business Le proceeded with, and so far as we iindors and the motion was declared carried, as the four Southern members left their seats. The four Northe-n lumbers, however, retained tlu-ir seats, and being a quorum proposed—“'That Cr Colclough lie chairman for current year.”

Tbe c'eik said before he won! 1 put the motion be would obtain legd advice, and asked tlie Council to adjourn until 2 p.m. for that purpose. This was agreed to and the Council adjourned. Shortly after 2 p.m. Crs M'Kel'ar. M 'Phail, Colclough, and Jolly made their appearance nt the County Office*, when to to their great surprise they found the doors locked and the key gone. A c nsultat’on was at once held, and the clerk was instil noted to obtain a skeleton key. Whilst absent on his duty, a heavy plank was pro cured for battering in the doors; good counsels however, prevailed, and a less iiiavt:al piece of sritegy was resorted to to get into tbe Chamber, and once more into the p csence of the “ Chair ” Whether it was iiy one of tlie chimneys or one of Ihe windows entrance was obtains I, this deponent s.ayeth not, but after a short time tlio folding don’s, as if by magic, jwero thrown open, and tlio ga hint a-saullists rushed the citadel and to -k possession. By this time the ch-rk returned, and finding the four Northern members in possession, stated that his advice was to take orders under protest, an 1 as a servant of tlie Council ho was pr- pared to carry out bis duty. Proposed by Cr McKTlar, seconded by Cr. Mcl’hail “Tint Cr. Ci o’ongli be cliainnan for tbe current year.” Tue motion was put and dec'arcd c uric l .

Cr. Colclough then took the chair and thanked the C nncil fur the honour conferred on him an I said that his utin -at en leavonr woul 1 be to carry out the duties with an impartial spirit. Cr McPhail suggested that the business of the Coniici, be proceeded with. Cr Jo'ly thought that the legs! opin'on | for which Council was adjourned should lie lend. Cr Mc-Kellnr said that with Hie view of giving other councillors a chance of taking i part, in the business, he would move -“That : the meeting do now adjourn, and that a spec! I rrceting be called for the Iransaclion of business. Tlio Click remarked that no other business could ho proceeded with. The meeting then adjourned, and a requi- : sition was a'terwards given to the c'eik convening a special meeting for Wednesday, 1 February 15, at 2 p.m.

I The following telegram 'oudiiug on the question of dis^uUs,

“WHO IS CHAIRMAN?” was received by us yesterday morning and published us an Extra. DUNEOIN, February 9 Re County Chairmanship—Mr Stout and ex-Judgo Harvey have been in consultation over copy of minutes of late mootings of the Vincent County Council, forwarded fen their opinion. Mr Stout is of opinion that there may bo a doubt as to I’yke’s action in taking chair at meeting after resigning and when a chairman was elected, but inclines to opinion that such action was legal. Ex Judge Harvey entertains no doubt as to legality of Pyke’s action. Both agree on following points—That Colclough was not elected chairman an I has no right to act in that capacity. Secondly that McGinniss should and must hold the chair until and unless he is ousted by Court of competent jurisdiction sn a writ of quo warranto.