BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume VI, Issue 426, 6 October 1868, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the Council was held last evening at the Engine-room. Presentr-r-The Mayor,(in. the chair), Messrs Parkinson, Wickes, Coates, Moore, Ashton, Rae, Strike, an,d Kilgour. The minutes of the, last meeting were read and confirmed. THE ROAD BCJARD DEsTi<|, &C. The Mayor said he had just been put in possession of a telegram from Wellington, which he would read. It was as follows : — "Government Buildings. " Monday, October 5. ''To ths Town Clerk, Greymouth. "Sir, — Attorney-General's opinion is, that there is no pp.vyer in law.to enable the Corporation to take over the debts of the Road Board ; but a clause will be inserted in the Amendment. Municipal Act to give that power. lam afraid there is no chance, bf any measure being passed this session to give the Corporation power to borrow, ' except under the provision^, of the existing Act, which, it appears, cannot be complied with in the case of Greymouth. The power of the Governor, under clause 380, only relates to such as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of the Act. lam requested by the Government to- state that the fact of the Road Board having recklessly incurred liabilities has produced an unfavorable impression, and is, likely to prejudice any attempt to enable the borrowing of money to liquidate the same. If possible., however, something will he attempted to getover difficulty, but at tins late period of the session it is very doubtful if any bill can be carried. With regard to giving the corporation the control of the wharf, and power to levy wharfage tolls, the Attor-ney-General has the question under consideration, and will give his opinion as soon as possible. If favorable the Gck vernment will at once give effect to it. "Harrison." APPOINTMENT OF TOWN. CLERK. The Council went into. Committee to consider the appointment of Town Clerk. There were six applicants, viz., Messrs Dalrymple, J. A. Whall, J. C. Revell, F. Guinness, E. Tyler, and H. Warren. They had all complied with the terms of the advertisement except Mr Guinness, who offered to fill the office at a salary of £300 per annum. Mr Strike moved— "That the Town Clerk be appointed at a salary of £250

per annum, subject to a months' notice on either side, and that the person so appointed shall not hold the Council responsible in case of dismissal from more than one month's salary, and tha.t the articles of agreement be prepared by a, solicitor." Mr Rae seconded the motion. Mr Parkinson moved an amendment, • which was not seconded. The motion waj3 carried. Mr Ktlgour said tha,t in looking over the testimonials sent by the candidates he found a gentleman who appeared to be thoroughly competent for the office, He therefore proposed that Mr Dabymple be appointed Town Clerk. Mr Parkinson seconded, prq. forma. Mr Coates proposed Mr J. A. Whall. Mr Strike seconded the nomination. He did not believe they could do better, as up to the present time they had no reason to find fault with the manner in, which he had conducted their business. Mr Parkinson thought this was a most serious subject, and an expression of opinion ought tp be given. This was the appointment of the Municipality, for the Town Clerk ought to b.e able tp conduct the whole business, qf the. Council, and they o.ughi to select the best man. He had every respect for Mr Whall, bat they ongh,t to forego, their, private feelings for the public good. He did not consider Mr Whall sufficiently qualified in many particulars, for office. Mr Rae said they had no experience to go upon, except that of Mr W^hall. Mr Kilgour , considered it their duty to select the, best man, and there were testimonials sent in by Messrs Dalrymple and Tyler, both of whojn. appeared to 6e able men, but the Councillors did not appear to care to give an expression qf their opinions on the subject Mr Wickes thought that so far as theic present clerk had gone he had acted well for the Council, aud deserved well at their hands, and ought to get a fair trial. Mr ' Moore proposed Mr E. Tyler. What he had done in town he had done with credit to the Board he represented. Mr Kilgour seconded the nomination. Mr Strike proposed Mr J. C. Revell. Mr Parkinson seconded. The Mayor proposed Mr H. Warren. Mr Ashton seconded. The vote was taken as. follows : — Mr Dabymple, 2 (Messrs Parkinson and Kilgour) Mr J. A. Whall, 5 (Messrs Ashton, Coates, Strike, Rae, and Wickes) ; Mr E. Tyler, 1 (Mr Moore). Mr Wliall was then declared elected. | The Council adjourned.