BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 51, 29 July 1874, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

LYTTELTON. A meeting of the Council took place on Monday last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Hawkins, Graham, Grange, Buist, Allwright, Young, Kenner, and Rouse. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Mayor stated that he had attended at the Government buildings on Tuesday last, with reference to the trees for planting town reserves, and also as to housing immigrants, and as to the grant payable to the Council. The following letters were read

From the Provincial Treasurer, stating that £250 had been paid to the Borough Council account.

From the Provincial Secretary, in reference to an application for forest trees for plantation on town reserves. From the same, refusing to erect cottages for immigrants in towns. From Mr William Holmes, asking permission to make a road on his section. Considerable discussion ensued as to the letter from Mr W. Holmes, and his Worship the Mayor read several clauses from the Act bearing upon the matter. Cr Grange moved that the matter be left to the works committee. Seconded by Cr Young and carried In reference to the casual ward, there was some discussion as to the most suitable locality. An application was received from Mr T. V, Whitmore to erect a board, to project 4ft from his office, known as the Provision and Produce Co , Oxford street. After considerable discussion the application was rejected. With reference to a letter from the Secretary for Public Works with regard to licensing porters in Lyttelton, Cr Graham proposed that Cr Graham, Cr Allwright, and his Worship the Mayor be appointed to draw up rules and regulations with reference to licensing porters, Or Graham to be chairman. The motion was carried. Accounts to the amount of £8 11s 3d were passed for payment. The report of the inspector of nuisances was read, in which it was stated that many places were in a very dirty state, but that the new scavenger appointed would remedy this.

A debate then took place on a resolution that had been proposed at a previous meeting relative to the town clerk. Cr All wright proposed “ That the matter be discussed in committee.” It was desirable that matters of this sort should be carefully thought over before they went forth to the world.

Cr Grange would second the resolution pro forma to test the feeling of the Council. He certainly thought that they had no right to keep anything back from the ratepayers that they represented. His Worship the Mayor thoroughly agreed with the remarks that had fallen from the last speaker. Publicity in these matters was a great desideratum. Or Allwright asked leave to withdraw his motion, which was agreed to. Mr H. J. A. Perrin, clerk to the Council, handed in his resignation.

A report of Mr T. B. Craig’s, whom the Council had employed to look into the accounts, was read. It was a long and voluminous report, and strongly recommended that a new system should be pursued in keeping the books, and also that another method should be arranged as to the petty cash account. After a long and careful examination of the accounts he had discovered that there was an amount of £3l 6s 6d unaccounted for.

His Worship the Mayor asked the clerk whether he had no statement to make in reference to Mr Craig’s report. The clerk in reply stated that he had not the smallest idea how the discrepancy arose. Mr Craig had gone through the books in a very careful manner, and he did not think he had sent in his report without the most careful consideration. He was aware that the books had been kept rather loosely. He should like to have an opportunity of again going through the books, and endeavouring to discover if there were any error. Of course if it were found that a certain sum was delicient, he would make it up. His Worship hoped they would now recognise that he was right in calling for an enquiry. They would soon have drifted into something disagreeable if active steps had not been taken. He was of opinion that the

clerk’s time had been too much occupied by

outsiders coming in and making enquiries when ho was at work. He knew that ho (the clerk) was rather absent-minded ; with a perfect innocency of intention. Mr Perrin had placed himself in an awkward position. He was perfectly certain that that gentleman’s honesty was above reproach. He would not touch a penny knowingly, but at the same time he thought that he was hardly fit to handle large sums. Cr Graham said that they owed a duty to the public and however disagreeable that duty might be, they must carry it out. He did not now, and never had, doubted the honesty of Mr Perrin, but having said so much in his favor, he must in justice to themselves and the public speak further. He had taken upon himself the unpleasant duty of calling attention to the state of the minute book, in which there were no marginal references, and the consequence was they could refer back to nothing without a great deal of trouble. They must remember that it was their duty to look after the public interest.

Cr Hawkins proposed—“ That the clerk’s resignation be accepted.” Theirs was a most unpleasant duty, but it must be carried out.

Cr Young seconded the resolution. Cr Grange moved an amendment to the effect—“ That the clerk retire from the room.” He thought there must be some mistake. It was hardly possible Mr Perrin could have made such a mistake. Mr Perrin then retired.

Cr Allwright was sorry that he had withdrawn his resolution, the clerk would be placed in a most unpleasant position if the resolution now before the Council were carried, Cr Kenner moved—“ That the clerk’s resignation be not accepted.” Cr Hawkins said it appeared to him there were only two courses open to them, cither to dismiss the clerk or get the £3l Gs 6d unaccounted for.

Cr Grange still hoped that the money might be accounted for. Cr Hawkins proposed to accept the clerk’s resignation, and raise the sum unaccounted for by subscribing £4 each. Cr Kenner having withdrawn his amendment, the original resolution—“ That the clerk’s resignation be accepted,” was carried. After long discussion, Cr Grange moved his adjourned resolution from July 6th to the effect—“ That the clerk work six days a week, and that his salary bo £l5O per annum.”

Councillor Allwright thought £l5O per annum too small a sum ; there were many boys only 17 or’ 18 years of age getting as much as that, If they wanted a good man they would have to give more. Cr Buist disagreed with the last speaker, the clerks on the railway were not paid more.

Cr Hawkins thought the position of town clerk ought to be a dignified one. The Mayor suggested that the clerk should be either a solicitor or a surveyor. At home the offices were frequently combined, and he did not see why the same thing should not be done here. Cr Rouse said that £l5O was too little. If they wanted the whole time of a skilled accountant they would have to give more. The banks arid similar institutions had raised the salaries of their clerks.

Cr Graham, although he considered even £l5O a large percentage on their total receipts, would rather give =£2oo and see a man of higher status occupying the position. Lyttelton was looking up, they had a larger amount to spend. He proposed as an amendment that the clerk’s salary be £2OO a year. Cr Rouse seconded the amendment.

Cr Grange, though certain that £l5O was too little for a first-class accountant, was of opinion that a man quite equal to the work might be found for that sum. They knew from experience how many applications there bad been for the £IOO. He was of opinion that £l5O with a bonus of 10 per ceat on rates collected was sufficient, and that it was possible to get a good man for that amount. The amendment was then put and carried. Grs Rouse, Hawkins, Allwright, Graham, Young, and Grange voting for it. It having been resolved to advertise at once for applicants for the office of town clerk, the Council adjourned.