A KNOTTY POINT OF MUNICIPAL LAW.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1217, 26 June 1885, Page 3

A KNOTTY POINT OF MUNICIPAL LAW.

At the sitting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council, on Tuesday evening, a ma ter of a moat important nature wag dealt with, so much so from its singularity that it is well worthy of the public notice. The peculiarities of : h‘ case, which were receiered more difficult to cope wiih by the complex wording of the Municipal Corporation Act may be briefly stated as follows : —A meeting of the Council was held in conformity with the municipal regulations, to consider and approve of the barges list, which previously had been overhauled by the town clerk, who bad prepared a defaulters’ list, and notified by advertisement that it was open to in ■ spection. Among other names upon this list was that of Councillor J. Stanton. The Council approve! of the alterations, and passed the roll, which bore the signatures of the acting o airman and two councillors. Prom April 30 to June 1 it was left anallege I, and was to all intent and purpose the burgess list for the year. Ultimately it was found that this document, according to the reading of the Act, should be signe i by th Mayor and two councillors, and do provision is made for the signature of any deputy. Upon the arrival of the Mayor the Governorin-Oonncil was, as stipulated in the Act, petitioned to validate what wag considered an inoperative roll, and thus secu'-e to the Borough its rights, which failing this action would have had no burgess list and consequently no Council. During the period between April SO and May 5 Mr Stanton had paid his rates and applied to the clerk to have his name replaced on the list. This request, however, had not been complied with, and it is considered that, in the face of the list remaining - unaltered on June I, the roll became in fee', and onu'd no: be altered From legal ad Wee obtain# 1 by Mr Stanton, he is assured that the informality with regard t® the signatures upon the roll entitles him to reinstatement, | bat hear ts his eoutontiou t» bh met shmld

the Governor declare the roll valid? Upon reference to the Corporations Act, the Mayor thought it patent that Cr Stanton had no redress, but the latter has intimated his intention of pressing his claim* by app'io ation to the Resident Magistrate's Court. The consideration of the affair is hdd over until the next m-eting of the Council, when an en leavour will he ma le to settle this interesting quest! m. .Should Mr Stanton fail in establishing his claim, he is disfranchised for twelve months.—‘Lvtteltou Tunes. 1