PORT CHALMERS MUNICIPALITY.

Evening Star, Issue 2959, 13 August 1872, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS MUNICIPALITY.

The regular meeting of the Council took place last evening in the Town Hall The Mayor and all the Councillors were present. The services of Mr Irvine, as Town Surveyor, without salary, was accepted. Several notices of motion, touching water supply and public works, were withdrawn or left over for consideration. The balance sheet and auditors’ report, the latter of which complimented the Town Clerk on the highly satisfactory manner in which the books had been kept, were adopted. The estimates for the year 1873 having been submitted, the Mayor took exception to that portion of the report which recommended the limiting of public works for the time being to the contracts already accepted. He considered by adopting the recommendation it would almost look as if the town was in an hopeless state of insolvency, instead of the flourishing condition that as a municipality it was in." He also strongly objected to Councillors signing their names and acting as chairmen of Committees, while he was in attendance, as he considered that the Mayor, by virtue of bis office, had a right to act as chairman, and he would do all in his power te maintain the dignity of the office. Cr. Murray, as chairman of the Finance Committee, vindicated the action taken by the Committee. He was exceedingly sorry to see the Mayor so warm on this matter, and explained the steps taken and the reasons for so doing. The Mayor expressed himself pleased with the explanation given, and said he would be happy at all times to afford every assistance he could to further the prosperity of the town, and promote a feeling of cooperation and unity in the carrying out of public measures. The report of the Finance Committee was then carried.

In answer to a question by Cr, Murray, the Mayor gave explanations as to the employment of prison labor at the Port, but said a hulk would have to be provided and fitted up for their reception.