A SCENE IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3887, 9 August 1875, Page 3

A SCENE IN THE CITY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the City Council, to consider the Water Supply Extension Bill, was convened for 3.15 p.m. to-day, but after waiting a quarter of an hour the Mayor had not put in an appearance, and there were only present Crs Isaac, Mollison, Brown, and Grant.

Or. Isaac then pointed out that three members formed a quorum, and proposed that Gr. Mollison should take the chair. Or. Grant wished it to be understood that this was a special meeting, called by the Mayor. Was it therefore right that any other person than the Mayor should preside ? Cr. Isaac argued.that so long as a quorum was present, and a Councillor was voted to the chair, the proceedings was perfectly legal. Re then put it to the vote that Cr. Mollison should take the chair, which was carried. Cr. Mollison declined to take the chair. Cr. Isaac then complained that to be kept waiting for twenty-five minutes was beyond a joke. Cr, Grant agreed with Mr Isaac, The Mayor was in the next room at a committee meeting, and should not keep those present waiting. It was here mentioned that the Waterworks Committee were considering the very question which was to come before the Council. r Cr, Brown then moved, and Cr. Grant seconded—“ That Cr. Isaac should take the chair,” which was carried. Cr. Isaac : Well, gentlemen, if it is your wish that I should take the chair I will do so, and scad to the Town Clerk asking him wba> is the business. Cr. Grant : We had better wait till the ha f-hour is up—till a quarter to four. At a quarter to four Cr, Isaac asked if he was to consider himself chairman. If so, he would send the following note to Mr Massey :—“ The Town Clerk will please attend. B. Isaac, chairman.' 1 At this stage of the proceedings the Mayor entered and asked for a few. minutes 1 indulgence, and then retired. After another few minutes had elapsed, Cr. Isaac asked if he was appointed to the chair, as if such was done he would write to the Town Clerk “We decline waiting any longer. B, Isaac.” On Cr. Browns motion, Cr. Isaac was appointed chairman, took the Mayor's seat, and sent for the Town Clerk.

A reply was received, stating that the Mayor and body would attend in a minute. Cr. Isaac, as the Mayor and other Councillors entered, said that he regarded this way of conducting the business of the Council as very unsatisfactory and unbusinesslike. The Mayor bad called the meeting, and he (Cr Isaac) regretted that lie could not see his way fit to give them nia attendance. The late Mayor was always noted for punctuality. He was perfectly aware that there was some difficulty with the Waterworks Bill, but that could as well have been considered by the whole Council. i Mayor, taking the c air in Jieu of Cr. Isaac, said that he must apologise on behalf of himself and the committee for having kept ary Councillors waiting. A very important matter had coma before the committee and occupied them more than they bad expected. He hoped the gentlemen waiting woul I accept his apology on behalf of the committee.

Cr. Grant accepted the apology, bat complained that waiting Councillors hat been overlooked, and said that the business could have been more consistently considered by the Council as a whole. Cr. Isaac again complained of the want of courtesy shown to waiting councillors, but at the same time accepted the Mayor’s apology. The Mayor said that there was a course to be followed in conducting the Corporation business, and he would not deviate from that line. The committee’s duty was to report to the Council, and tbe Council should then consider the matter.

The Council then resolved itself into committee.