COUNTY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1387, 10 January 1873, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

[west coast times.] . Wednesday, January 8. At about ten minutes after J2 o'clock, all the members having taken their seats, the Secretary to the Council read the notifications in the Gazette relative to the election of the members, and also a letter from Mr Harry Kenrick notifying the election of Mr Dungan. Mr Cassius desired to point out that by the 69th section of the County of Westland Act, relating to extraordinary vacancies, th^re should bft twenty-one days beiween the occurrence of any snch vacancy and the election of another member to fill it. He believed that in the case of the member for Paroa that period had not elapsed: He mentioned the matter, not with the view of raising any objection to that member personally, but in order to prevent any difficulty hereafter. He should like to hear the opinions of othe.r members on the point. Mr J^ennedy. said tie. understood that the first business was the election of a Chairman. He moved— "That William Simpson Smith be the Chairman." A division vas taken with the following result :— Ayes— Messrs Smith, Dungan, Kennedy, and Cassins. Notw — Messrs Bonar, Cuming, Robinson, O'Donovan, and Barff. The motion was accordingly negatived. Mr Robinson said he really regretted that the first resolution moved on the opening of the Council, should have had for its object the appointment of a gentleman to the chair, who, however well qualified otherwise, was totally deficient of that experience of public affairs which the present circumstances of the County rendered necessary that the occupant of the ohair should possess. If all the members were imbued with a conscientious, desire for the success of County Government, or, at all events, that it should die creditably— if die it must— they would elect a gentleman who, from experience and other qualifications, jvould fill the office advantageously to the County. In Mr Bonar the Council had a gentleman whose previous knowledge best qualified him for the office. If any man put it to his conscience he must admit that Mr Bonar was the member best fitted for the chair. It was not alone his experienca that would prove beneficial, but he was well and favorable known at Wellington, and putting him in the chair would tend to inspire confidence in the local administration of the Government of the County.

He moved — "That James Alexander Bonar be the Chairman." ■ The Council divided on the motion as follows:— Ayes — Messrs Bonar, Curaing, Robinson, and Cassius. Noes — Messrs Smith, Dungan, Ken* nedv, O*Donovan, and Barff. ! The motion was accordingly negatived. i Mr Cuming said he rose to propose a gentleman possessing all the qualifications of the candidate who had just been rejected. He referred to Mr Robinson. He ' had experience, intelligence, and straightforwardness. He was* not t>iven to logrolling, and always spoke his mind fearlessly for the general welfare of the whole County. He moved—" That Henry Lee Robinson be the Chairman." Mr Kennedy said he did not rise to oppose the motion, but merely in explanation of the proposition he had himself made, and which had been censured by the member for Kanieri, on the ground that any man who did not possess experience of County affairs was not fitted for the chair: He (Mr Kennedy) did not hold that opinion, and he knew that the gentleman he had proposed was otherwise well qualified. He had known him many years, and he could have given his (Mr Kennedy's) reasons for proposing Ht Smith, but he had been informed that it was not customary to make a speech, but merely to propose a name without remark. He could not see that«experience in the business of the Council was. a necessary qualification for the chair, -though no doubt such experience wasideairable. His colleague (Mr Smith) was well known and esteemed amongst fiis constituents,' and was not wholly unknown elsewhere Mr Bonar could bear out what had been said by the last speaker as to the practice being merely to propose a member for the chair, without remark. He feared that the Council was : drifting into the same course as had been pursued on the two previous occasions of electing a Chairman. That course was perhaps not so much the fault of the members, and might be looked upon as the inevitable result of the system of election. To facilitate matters he would say that -he. accepted the decision of the Council as4dfi . himself. He had been proposed asChair-V man, certainly without his knowledge, and the motion had been negatived. That decision he would accept as final. - A division was then taken on tba question, "That Henry Lee Robinson be the Chairman." Ayes, 7 ; Noes, 2. The following is the division list :— . Ayes — Messrs Bouar, Cuming, Robinson, O'Donovan, Dungan, Kennedy, and Capsius. .'.,..„•.':. Noes — Messrs Smith and Barff. . „ . ; . The Secretary to the Cour.cil then declared Henry Lee Robinson duly elected Chairman. . The Chairman, on taking his seat, expressed histbanks for the honor conferred upon him. He assured the Council that he appreciated the honor, and he appreciated also the difficulties of the position. At present he was unprepared with any statement as tp the affairs of the County, but he would apply himself without delay to preparing such statement. The members, however, must know from what they had* seen in the newspapers that rigid . economy would have to be exercised, and that the unsparing use of the pruning knife would be absolutely necessary. That course would lead to private regrets, but.it was inevitable, and must perforce be accepted. In this respect, as in all others, he would endeavor to do his duty, and he hoped to be enabled to discharge that duty with credit to himself and with satisfaction to the Council and the County at large. Mr Bonar congratulated the Chairman upon his election, and expressed his satisfaction at the result of the day's proceedings; not alone because the gentleman elected was so well suited for the position, but also because of the kind manner in which so large a majority had expressed" its preference. He thought the Council should adjourn to give the Chairman time to prepare a statement. He would therefore move that the Council adjourn until Tuesday evening next, at 7.30. The motion was carried, and the Council adjourned. •