SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2185, 25 February 1881, Page 3

SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above was held to-day at 12.15 p.m. at Mr Charters' office, called on the requisition of Cr. Charters, with respect to his resignation and the advertising of the vacancy. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Joyce, White, Hull, Andrew, Eichol, Pavitt, L&ngdown and Charters. Cr. Charters objeoted to the minutes as taken by the clerk, in which it was stated that Cr. Charters' resignation had been handed in before the meeting adjourned. Or. Andrew was of opinion that the whole meeting was an illegal one. Cr. Niohol thought that Cr. Charters was in the wrong in this matter. The adjournment had not been put before the letter was read.

Some discussion ensued. Or Hall stating that the letter was read after the adjournment of the Council. Or Hall then moved " That the minutes as read be approved." Or Niohol seconded the motion.

Or Andrew objected to the whole meeting aa illegally called. The Town Clerk said that he had done his duty as returning oflioor, and he was quite prepared to take the responsibility of what he had done.

Or Joyce said that he could not see why it was necessary to import any personal matters into the question. He thought it was a question for the Mayor to decide whether they were properly constituted, and then go on with the business. He thought if they arrived at the resolution that they wore properly constituted they might then put the matter before the solicitor of the corporation.

Or. Hall was of opinion that the whole meeting was of no use whatever. The returning officer would do his duty whatever resolution the Council might arrive at. Or. White was clear on the point that the letter had been read before the Oounoil adjourned. He was very sorry that Mr Charters had not been able to keep his seat for the whole term of his office. [Hear, hear.] He certainly was of opinion with Or. Andrew that this was an allegal meeting, as the notice required by the Act had not been given to the Councillors. Or. Charters dissented from the remarks of Or. White. The whole of the business was finished, and the motion for adjournment carried before he read the letter. He had also a legal opinion from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw. His Worship the Mayor said he had his doubts as to the legality of the meeting, but he hod thought it possible to help a Councillor. But while he did so he should suggest that Or. Charters should oome forward again, and he felt sure that the result would be that he would be elected.

Cr. Joyce suggested that the best wsy to do would be to decide whether the letter was read before or after the adjournment, and this could be done by deleting the portion _of the minutes referring to the letter being read.

His Worship the Mayor said that he should take the votes of the Council as to tho legality of the meeting. The Town Clerk said that the requisite notice had not been given, as the two clear days' notice had not been given. The Mayor said he hod his doubts as to the legality of the meeting, but he had tried to help a councillor, and this he bad done. Cr. Joyce said that he thought they should decide upon the matter at once, as it would crop up again. Cr. Charters said that a legal opinion had been obtained from Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw that Cr. Charters had a right to withdraw his resignation. The Mayor said that as Cr. Andrew still adhered to bis objection to the meeting the nroaont one was illegal. The Council would have to consider the matter at the regular maoting on Monday next. The meeting then terminated.