THE DRAINAGE BILL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 370, 19 August 1875, Page 3

THE DRAINAGE BILL.

* PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting of citizens was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening, for the purpose of discussing the Christchurch Drainage Bill, which has been for some time before a Conference of the City Council members and chairmen of Eoad Boards, and which is now before the Assembly. The meeting was convened by the Mayor in response to the following requisition : “To his Worship the Mayor of the city of Christchurch.—We, the undersigned ratepayers and burgesses of the city of Christchurch, request you to call, at your earliest convenience, a public meeting, to be holden at the Oddfellows’ Hall, or such other place as your Worship may deem meet, for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion as to the advisability of forming a Drainage Board, as contemplated by the Drainage Bill now before your Worship and the City Council. Signed—W. WILSON, E. O. J. Stevens, and eighty-nine other gentlemen.” There was a large attendance, and his Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. His Worship in opening the proceedings referred to the requisition sent to him, and also to the proposed constitution of the Board. He then read the following letter from Mr George Gould: —“Cookham House, Christchurch, 18th August—Dear Sir—l shall not be present at the meeting this evening, but shall be glad if you will record my opinion in favor of the Drainage Bill as it now stands. So far as I can judge it seems to meet our wants very fairly, and the sooner we set ourselves to work to remedy our unfortunate position as the most unhealthy town in New Zealand, the better for all concerned. I can see no possible good to arise from delaying the measure and running a great risk of its not passing the Assembly this session. Our members in Wellington are so well acquainted with our wants, and some of them deeply interested, that if any improvements suggest themselves in passing the Bill through the House they will be sure to initiate them. The constitution of the Board seems to be objected to by some of the ratepayers as not giving Christchurch ‘fair play, hut to my mind it seems perfectly satisfactory. Elect sterling men on the Board, and they will legislate without reference as to what district they represent. This is the most vital point to observe, and the ratepayers will have this power in their own hands. Hoping you will have a quiet, orderly meeting, I remain, yours truly, George Gould. The Mayor of Christchurch.” He was very glad to find that the opinions held by him (the Mayor) as to the Bill were endorsed by so good an authority as Mr Gould. [Cheers.) He would now ask some gentleman to move a resolution.

Mr Wm, Wilson said he had very much pleasure in coming forward to propose the first resolution, which was to the effect that the Bill should bo postponed until the ratepayers had had an opportunity of seeing the Bill, and making themselves acquainted with its provisions—[cheers | —which up to now had not been afforded them. The Bill, imposing ufon the ratepayers a further rate of at least Is 7d in the £, in addition to that now paid by them, had been endeavored to be smuggled through the Assembly, and he thought that it was not fair that the ratepayers should not have the opportunity of expressing their opinion upon it. [Cheers.] He had therefore felt it his duty to sign the requisition calling that meeting. The Bill had never been before the public except through some amusing discussions in the City Council and in the editorials of one paper —the PRESS—a representative of which was on the platform on his right. [Laughter.] These gentlemen, when having ink and types at command, had too much of the advantage; but now, when they came to stand on the platform side by side, the weakest would have to go to the wall. [Cheers.] They were bound to have it out that evening. [Laughter.] Now there were four Road Boards, with an amount of rates something near £BOO each, or £3200 a year, while Christchurch had about £7OOO a year in rates. Now in the Drainage Board the Road Boards had four members to the same number of the City Council representatives, thereby putting the Road Boards and the City Council on a footing of equality, though there was a large difference between the amount of rates collected; but this was not all. There was to be a chairman elected by the Board, who, in addition to his original vote, would have a casting vote. Now it was almost certain that Mr H. J, Tancrcd chairman of the Spreydon Road Board would be the first chairman of the Drainage Board, thus giving the Road Boards a preponderance over the municipalities, which was not right, as the city was growing far in excess over the Road Board districts [Cheers.] They must recollect the wide range of drainage over which their mouey was to be spent. It was from the base of the hills to New Brighton, and on to Archer’s Bridge on the Lincoln road, thence to the VVaimakiriri, that their £7OOO was to be available for drainage. There was no clause in the Bill making it imperative for the money to be spent in the city [lnterruption.] He wished that those City Councillors on the platform would allow him to speak, as he was sure to break down if interrupted. [Laughter,] The Bill had ' been very loosely drawn up, and it was ne-

cessary that the public should become ac« quainted with the provisions of a Bill with a view to rectify its absurd provisions. The Board had, as he had said, to elect a chairman, and he felt sure that it would be the gentleman he had stated, hence the Road Boards would preponderate. The rate to be raised under the Bill was >s in the £l, and he felt sure that if they gave a public body power to rate, they would have the last penny, aye, the last farthing, and would not be content with less than the Is. [Cheers.] Let them look at what would be the result under the Bill; there was St Alban’s for instance, which they all knew was a very wet district, and perhaps, though they might like to live there, and sing “Moody and Sankey’s” hymns—[ Intei'ruption and loud hisses] —it would not be so likely to suit them when all their money was spent. [Loud hisses.] The Mayor asked the meeting to hear Mr Wilson. Mr Wilson did not want any chairman to ask order for him, as he was too well known and respected not to have order kept. Hisses.] He did not think it was right that this Bill should pass now, in view of the great changes now contemplated, He did not say that a Drainage Board was not necessary, but what he said was that they should consider the Bill, and then, if they were prepared to agree to the imposition of an additional la 7d in the £, he would be ready to go in with them. Now Dr Foster told the City Council not to pass the clause which provided for the taking over by the Drainage Board of the city outfall drain on payment of a sum of £IB,OOO. But how were the people who had advanced money on the strength of the outfall drain to be provided for, if the city gave away the security of the drain; He felt sure that this would lead to a large amount of litigation. He had had a summary of the Bill prepared by a gentleman of great experience, and the concluding words were that it was necessary that its provisions should be carefully watched. [Cheers. [ Therefore he had proposed the resolution he had read. As he had before stated, he did not oppose the drainage of the district; but he said that it was not fair to take their money Height miles in £ one direction and nine miles in another. [Cheers,] As regarded the health of Christchurch, he would desire to point out that the large death-rate in Christchurch was due to a large number of immigrants coming into the city and taking ill and dying, thus swelling the death rate of Christchurch unfairly. There was not, be contended, any ground for holding that Christchurch was an unhealthy city. [Cheers.] From what he had seen of the Bill, he might say that he considered the Bill should be delayed until after the Bill had been printed, and thus allow all to see its provisions. [Cheers.] He might say that he was certain that the Assembly would not prorogue until after the election of the new city councillors in September next. Therefore he said that it was only right that they should know what they were going to assent to. He could not see why Addington, Philipstown, Newtown, and St Alban’s, should not be included in the municipality. He contended that they could annex the suburbs provided two-thirds of the ratepayers signed a petition to that effect. He would much rather have seen the suburbs he had referred to included in the municipality, thus increasing the rates of the city, and enabling the improvements in the centre to be carried outwards, If this Bill passed there would be endless contentions between the Drainage Board and the municipality, which was to be deplored. He would now move the resolution as follows : —“ That in the opinion of this meeting the Christchurch '.District Drainage Act, 1875, ought not to be passed by the General Assembly until it has undergone material revision, and shall have received the approval of the ratepayers of the city, especially as an election of members of the City Council will take place on the 9th of September next, when a satisfactory expression of opinion could be given on the subject; and moreover, because the impending alterations in the constitution of municipalities and Road Boards may materially change the whole position of affairs.” [Loud cheers.] This was a resolution which was a wise and a judicious one, and one which he trusted they would support, as it was one which conserved the interests of the ratepayers. If after the Bill had been printed they were still in favour of the provision of it, he would support their opinion. [Cheers.]

Mr S. P. Andrews seconded the resolution. No one was more in favor of a system of district drainage than he was, and the resolution 'did not conflict with the Bill. What the resolution wanted was time for the people who were to be so largely interested, to consider the Bill. He asserted that he believed there was not a dozen people in the room who had read the Bill. There was, he thought, something peculiar about the introduction of this Bill, because ho believed that there was not hardly one who had got a copy of that Bill presented to him honestly and fairly. vVhat he said was, that in a scheme where the citizens were to be rated in an increased ratio, the people should be consulted, because it was only right that the people who had to submit to the laws should have some voice in the making of them. [Cheers. | He had, after some trouble, got a sight of a Bill, but after he had run through it, it was told to him that it was not a correct copy. Besides this, he contended that the Mayor and members of the City Council were never elected to draft a Bill such as this [cheers] —and when they went on to push the Bill on through the House without the people knowing what it was, ttiey were going beyond their powers. Why could not the Council, as the Bill was in print, have 100 or 150 copies struck off and left somewhere for the people to see them 1 j Cheers.] Referring to the Bill, he would first turn to clauses 6 and 7, in which the terra of election was fixed—viz, for three years, which he objected to as being too long, because circumstances might change their opinion as to their representative ; but beyond this there was a provision for re-election. Then in clause 13 he objected strongly to it as being one of the most ambiguous he ever read. It was as follows ; —“ All acts done by any meeting of the Board, of any committee of the Board, or by any person acting as a member of the Boad, shall, notwithstanding it may be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the election or appointment of any such Board or persons acting as aforesaid, or that they or any of them were or was disqualified, be as valid as if every such person had been duly elected or appointed and was qualified to bo a member.” [Laughter. | Now he thought that this meant that, no matter how a person got on the Board, all would be right, and whatever he did it would be made correct under this

clause. Now, again, there was clause 21, in which he found the following : —“ The returning officer shall cause to be entered in the polling books the name and address of every voter and the manner in which he votes.” [Laughter.] This was what was called vote by ballot. [Cheers.] [His Worship the Mayor—“ That is altered in the corrected Bill.” | Well, he should like to have a correct copy. The clause he had read appeared in the one he had. | Cheers.] Now as regarded the election of the chairman for three years. [His Worship —“ One year in the corrected Bill.”] There was that corrected Bill again. [A Voice—- “ Why don’t you get a correct copy?” Laughter.] Well, he could not do so; he should like to. [Cheers and laughter.] The Road Boards would have a preponderance of votes at the Board, as Christchurch had only four votes, while the Road Boards had five. This would lead up to the inference that where the power preponderated the money would be spent, i.e., in the outlying districts, and when they found that the districts in the schedule covered sixty square miles they might guess how much of their £7OOO would be spent in the city, [Cheers.] Clause 44 went on to say:—“lt shall be lawful for the Board from time to time to open the ground and to change the level or otherwise amend or enlarge any sewer or drain lying under any of the public or private streets or roads within the district for improving the drainage thereof.” He pitied the poor City Council having to work under such a Board, as it was impossible for them to work harmoniously together, and they would have endless squabbles—[Cheers] —because the two bodies would each stand on their dignity. [Cheers.] He would now refer to clause 86, as regarded contracts. [His Worship: “ It’s no use your wasting time;”] He might possibly be wasting time. [No, no. | His Worship said that the clauses had been drawn by a solicitor, to confer legal powers, and were therefore not intelligible to civilians, [lnterruption.] Mr Andrews said that they ought to thank his Worship for the light he had given them on the matter. [Cheers and laughter.] Clause 86 was as follows:—“It shall be lawful for the Board to contract with and employ such contractors, surveyors, agents, and workmen, as they shall think fit, and to enter into such contracts with any such persons for the execution of any works directed or authorised by this Act to be done by the Board, or for furnishing materials, or for any other thing necessary for the purposes of this Act.” Now they all knew what jobbery had been committed in past times, when contracts were not let by tender, and he hoped they would not vote for this Bill until the election of members for the City Council had taken place. [Loud cheers.] He hoped that they would support the resolution heartily. [Cheers,] At the conclusion of Mr Andrews’ speech cries were raised for “ Stevens” and “ Ollivier.” Mr B. Cass rose to 'suggest that the resolution should be altered so as to leave out the reference to the revision of a Bill, which did not require to be in the resolution. [“No, no.”] He had not intended to speak on this question, but he must say that he thought it was a shame that such a Bill should bo attempted to be palmed off upon them by their City Council—[cheers]— without their having had an opportunity to consider the measure. The Bill was most unsatisfactory as regarded the election of members; if the Road Boards raised one-third of the rates, and the city two-thirds, common sense at once suggested that the city should be represented in the proportion of two-thirds for Christchurch, and one-third for Road Boards. [Cheers.] He was also in favour of the election being for one year, with of course the option of re-election. [Cheers.] He had seen a good deal of colonial life, and his experience told him that it was well to be on their guard to see that their interests were not allowed to suffer. ) Cheers. ] Mr E. C. J. Stevens, who was loudly cheered on rising, said that he had come to that meeting rather as a listener than to discuss a subject which he did not pretend to understand fully. However, as he had been called for he would endeavour to give them his ideas upon the Bill. [A Voice—“ Is that the right one.”] He did not know about that, but he had read every line of it, long as it was, and having done so, he had come to the conclusion that it was a very good Bill, that it was not an oppressive one, as had been endeavoured to be made out, and if they accepted it no very great harm would be done. He could not consider this, as the gentleman who spoke last evidently did, a question of dignity ; dignity was a very good thing, but he preferred drainage. What they had to do was to devise some scheme for the drainage of the suburbs of Christchurch as quickly and as effectively as possible. [Cheers,] It had been objected by Mr Wilson that they were giving the suburban districts too many members by making the number equal with that of Christchurch. Ho had also said that Mr H. J. Tancred would be elected as chairman of the Board, and if so it would give the Road Boards greater preponderance. But if Mr Tancred possessed all the qualities which Mr Wilson had given him credit for, he would not be likely to take the miserably selfish view of matters which had been ascribed to him and the chairmen of Road Boards. [Cheers.] They could not make the Board too large, and as all had to be represented, it was onlj right that they should take the matter in a broad and liberal way. [Cheers.] He did not, looking at the matter either as a citizen or a proprietor in the suburbs, fear that any harm was to be done by the placing of the power of spending the £7OOO raised from Christchurch in the hands of the Board. Besides this, they must remember that this was the extreme amount that could be raised by the city, and if they had good men on the Board—and it would be their own fault if they did not—they need have no fear. They were not likely to spend the money away, as had been urged ; they would endeavor to make a system of drainage for the city and the Road Board districts through which it passed. [Cheers,] It did not matter whether there was sixty or six hundred miles included in the district, the result to be arrived at was the same, viz, the drainage of Christchurch and the suburbs. [Cheers.] As regarded the election of members for three years, which had been condemned by some of the speakers, he had no objection ,to that. They must remember,that the Board would have to deal with the very, difficult system of drainage, and it would not at all conduce to efficiency if they were continually having a change of men, involving possibly a change of system. They must be allowed to work out their plans without being dis-

turbed by the advent of new men. [Cheers.] As regarded Mr Wilson’s remarks about increase of rate, they must remember that to carry out this work they must have money, and therefore it was only right that they should be prepared to pay interest and sinking fund on their loans ; and therefore he should not like to see the clause in reference to this struck out, Remarks had been made as to the inclusion of Addington, Philipstown, &c, in the city ; but he thought this was beside the question. They might have to consider this at some other time, and perhaps do it ; but now this would not answer their object, which was to get the water away from the suburbs. [Cheers.] If they delayed the Bill now they would not get it until next year, and they would thus have- to suffer the risk of fever and disease being rife amongst them for another year ; therefore the gentlemen who advocated delay had a certain amount of responsibility resting on them. He should like to see the Bill got through as quickly as possible for this reason. Did they think there was anything to be gained by waiting ? [A Voice—- “ Yes.”] Well if they thought so he would agree with them in waiting, if they would gain anything by it. If they wanted to have disease amongst them let them wait. [Hisses.] The gentlemen who now hissed, when sickness came in their families, might wish that they had a system of drainage. However if they felt it was better to delay the Bill, let them wait, but he warned them that they would not get the Bill passed this year, [Cheers.] Mr H. J. Hall said that as a representative of a suburban district he wished to say a few words. First he might say that he was of opinion that no system of drainage would be effectual unless it included the suburbs. As regarded Mr Andrews’ remarks, he might say that the clauses referred to by him had been inserted by the solicitor but had afterwards been amended at the conference which had been held. [A Voice —“ We don’t know nothing about it.’] [Laughter.] His Worship said he understood that the solicitor would circulate some thirty copies of the Bill, but all the material clauses of the Bill had been published in the newspapers. Had the City Council continued to act in the conference, they would have seen that the Bill was made known. Mr liall continued to say that fever and disease had been very rife amongst them in the city, and seeing this, the Riccarton Road Board, which he represented, though receiving no benefit from the system of drainage carried out by the city, yet saw that this was a work which required to be done, and they took a broad and liberal view of the matter. Now the rateable value of property in Christchurch amounted to £145,000, while that from the suburbs was about £85,000. But while he admitted that, he must point out that there were a number of the Road Board districts which would not benefit one penny from the drainage works carried out by the city, As regarded finance, he thought that a rate of 4d in the £ would provide the interest and sinking fund on £135,000, which would go a long way towards drainage works. Mr Nathan desired to ask the Mayor what amount a 4d rate in the £ would produce. His Worship said a 5d rate in the £ would produce sufficient to cover the sinking fund and interest on £55,000. Si Mr Hall said that perhaps he had made a mistake in his figures, but he thanked Mr Nathan for his correction. He believed that in the combined valuation of the city and Road Board districts a valuation of 4.]d in the £ would amount to £50,000, He might say that if the people were of opinion that the Bill should be delayed, he was quite willing, though one of the warmest advocates of the Bill, to see it postponed. They must recollect that the members of the Drainage Board were elected, and they must take care that the right men were put in. [Cheers.] Cries were raised for Ick,” “ Lee,” and “ Raphael.” Mr Ick came forward amid a storm of hisses. He said they had called upon him to address them, and he hoped they would hear a few words from him. [Cheers.] He contended that the action of the Mayor and those who acted with him had been most despotic. [Loud hisses here followed rendering the speaker inaudible for several minutes.] He contended that it was unfair that when a Bill of such importance as this was brought forward that their representatives in the City Council should not see it. He averred that the Bill had been kept from them purposely. [Cheers.] The platform he took was not in opposition to drainage, but that they should have time to consider the Bill. Under it the city, with infinitely a larger population than the suburbs, only got as many members as the Road Board districts. Was that fair 1 [“No, no,” and “ Yes, yes.”] They did not want to pay large rates to drain districts in which they had no interest whatever. He contended that they had a system of drainage of their own. [Cries of “No, no;” and a voice—“ How can you drain Christchurch without imposing extra rates.”] Well now, the real fact was that they would have to pay 3s in the £ for drainage, and were they prepared to do it. [“No, no.”] His idea was that it would be much better for the suburban districts to be included in the municipality if the people could see their way clear. They had a very efficient system of drainage now —[“No, no” J—and with money they could drain Christchurch properly. [“No, no.”] It was the proper and constitutional course in these matters to consult the ratepayers, and he hoped that they would agree with him that they should delay the Bill until after the election. [Cheers and hisses.] The chairman here asked Mr Nathan to occupy the chair pro. tern., in order that he might reply to what he < ould not but say were unfounded assertions. Mr Nathan having taken the chair, His Worship said it was not intended to push this Bill through the Assembly until after the election. What the Bill intended to do was not to increase the taxation, but to make a united effort for a system of drainage, and also to obtain an endowment for drainage purposes. Now Cr Ick had thrown dust in their eyes very nicely by telling them that next year they would have to pay 3s in the pound for rates on account of the establishment of this Drainage Board, and he had also said that this Bill had been smuggled into the Assembly, but he would tell them this, that Cr Ick and the section of the Council working with him had smuggled up to the Assembly a Loan Bill for £50,000, which would result in the increase of their rates by 7d in the pound on the city rates alone. [His Worship then proceeded to controvert some statements of Mr Wilson as regarded one of the clauses. 1 As regarded the statement that Mr Tancred would be elected as chairman, Mr Wilson

did not know that Mr Tancred would come forward for election. He hoped he would, and if he did he felt sure that from his known high character he would do even Justice to all. They asserted that the Board would spend the money of the ratepayers away Irorn the city, but of course the Board would make the drains first in the thickly populated parts. [Hear, hear.] Now, with regard to the £28,000 to be paid by the Board for the main drain, &c, if the Board took over the property, the City Council would at once have £IB,OOO to their credit, which might be used for the footpaths, &c, and if not then they could say to the Drainage Board take over our liabilities and pay interest and sinking fund on the drainage loan, which would not amount to more than 3d or 4d in the £ over the city. The proportion of members on the Board was the only way in which it could be done, as it would have been unfair to leave out any of the Road Boards. There had been a very great number of unfounded statements made, one of which was that the city would pay nine-tenths of the rates. Now the amount was as follows :—Christchurch, £145,000; Road Board districts, £85,000, which was in the proportion of one to two-thirds. But how long would it be before the suburbs paid half 1 not five years, as the suburbs were now growing much faster than the city proper, where there was not room for it, and therefore the suburbs would soon pay the largest proportion of rates. [Hear, hear.] The difficulty about the public becoming aware of the Bill arose he might say from the childish manner in which the three first members of the conference, Crs Ick, Hart, and Bishop, had acted. [“ Oh, oh.”] His Worship proceeded at some length to review Mr Andrews’ objections, but was interrupted by cries of ‘, Time” and retired. Mr Raphael said that the reason why he had opposed the Bill was, that fourteen days before the conference was called together the Bill was on its way to Wellington. They had read the history of his opposition to this Bill clause by clause, because he felt that it was a question of more taxation. The Mayor was so infatuated with getting this Bill passed through that when they met in the conference Mr Rolleston had the Bill in his ; hands for fourteen days. [The Mayor : “ I deny that I sent the Bill to Wellington.”] Of course his Worship would deny it; he denied everything. [Laughter.] His colleagues and himself were quite agreed as to the necessity of drainage ; no one could see the state of Phillipstown and South belt and not at once say that it was a necessary. [Cheers.] Let them think of the cost of the matter ; who was to pay the solicitor the £2OO he might demand for drawing the Bill, instructed by the Mayor. [His Worship the Mayor—“ Assisted by the Mayor.”] That meant paid for out of the rates. [lnterruptions.] His Worship the Mayor rose to explain, but was inaudible, owing to the loud noise made. Mr Raphael proceeded to say that they had to pay for this Bill. [A Voice—How about Jones.] Well as to Mr Jones ; if they disagreed with Mr Jones, they disagreed with the Mayor. [Laughter,] The Mayor had told them that they were bound to accept his law, but he declined to have his law. He would not detain them longer, but hoped they would postpone the Bill until after the election. [Cheers.] Mr Gapes said he had waited some time to see a better scheme to be brought forward than the one they had now before them. As several councillors had spoken he hoped they would listen to him a little while. [A Voice —“ Oh, you have all got a different tale.” Laughter.] There were four gentlemen elected on that Conference, and they were of such a character that he naturally expected something tangible from the members of the Conference, but no such thing took place, although the members of the Road Boards did certainly bring down a scheme on the subject for which they had met. He did not oppose the Bill nor advocate delay. [lnterruption;] There had been a great deal said about the taxes. [Renewed interruption.] The citizens did not appear to favor the bringing in the suburbs to the city and vice versa, which he could not understand. But however that might be, taxed they would be, because they could not expect drainage without paying for it. As regarded the supply of copies of the Bill, he might say that every opportunity was afforded to other councillors to see the Bill, because there were copies of the Bill in the City Council office, and he left a copy of the Bill with Cr Raphael three hours before the meeting. [lnterruption, and cries of “Time’s up.”] They were attempted to be led to believe that there was an attempt to smuggle the Bill through, but he contended that all councillors had an opportunity of seeing the Bill. [Or Raphael—“No,”] He said that he challenged Cr Raphael to prove this. [lnterruption.) He said that Cr Raphael went through the clauses of the Bill with him. Cr Raphael came forward, and denied having received the Bill, beyond it being left at his office wrapped up in paper some hours. Mr Gapes went on to say that, as amended, the Bill was a good one, and there was no objection to it. He did not agree with the system proposed, as he would like to see the suburbs in the city, with the city divided into wards, with each ward sending its own representatives. He would like to see the Bill deferred, in order that a better system might be devised. He had proposed this, but he could get no support, Cr Raphael being the only supporter. This was strange, as he believed they were all in favor of it, and he looked on this as a strange proceeding also, as they were asked to wait without telling them what they were to wait for. [Cheers.] Mr J. Lee next essayed to address the meeting, but was greeted with loud hisses and stamping, ultimately retiring amid loud cheers. Mr Lee made a second attempt, but was unsuccessful in obtaining a hearing, several persons leaving the meeting. Cries were then raised for “ Hart” and “ Jones.” Mr M. B. Hart, who, on coming forward, was received with groans and cheers commingled, essayed to obtain a hearing, but unsuccessfully, numbers of persons leaving the hall. The Mayor then put the resolution, and declared it to be carried. His Worship—Mot one-third of those present have voted on the question. Mr Hart then moved —“ That the resolution as carried be forwarded to Sir Cracroft Wilson, M.H.R,, for presentation to the Assembly.” The motion was agreed to, and a vote of thanks to the Mayor concluded the meetir