Council Meetings.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 387, 29 January 1909, Page 3

Council Meetings.

NOT TO BE HELD 80 OFTEN. The question uf the frequency of meetings was raided by Cr Noonan ai the last sitting of tbe Kawhia County Council, who suggested that they be held at longer intervals, as, if not, at the end of the year, when the balance sheet was presented, too much money tor expenses would be shown. The Chairman said that, as things were now, there was no reason why the meetings could not be held at longer intervals. The payments must, however, be made, and, as Jong as be was chairman it would be a pleasure for him to meet any of the councillors to pay contracting, the accounts for which could be passed at the next

meeting. Cr Noonan : Although my expenses are paid, I don’t want to come here excepting there is business to be done. The expenses are a draw on the rates, and could be spent on the roads. The Chairman did not think that an interval of two months would be too long. Cr Noonan moved, and Cr Babbage seconded—“ That the chairman and members for the riding have power to call for and accept tenders and make payments ; and that the chairman call meetings when required.” Cr Jonathan said that that resolution delegated too much on the chair man, and it was no use having a Council, or anyone being on it, if it Was going to be such a one horse show. That must be guarded against. Cr Noonan suggested that each riding member attend to bis own work. Cr Jonathan hardly thought it would be in the best interests of the Council to leave everything to the chairman. He quite agreed with *he intention, and recognised that fewer meetings would save expense to the ratepayers. The powers, however, should be fairly specific and not un limited. He hoped that, in trying to save expenses, the thing would not be overdone. Meetings should be held and the business conducted and discussed in the usual way, and all work should ooms before a meeting. The motion, which was carried, was altered to read as follows: " Tha' the member for any riding and chairman of the Council be empowered to call and let tenders and pay progress payments and otherwise deal with any work specified and approved by the Council at any previous meeting, unless I* has figcin teen rescinded, but must at each mee'ing report on all mat er for endorsement ; the chairman also be empowered to call meetings as be deems necessary, and that no regular meeting be deemed essential.”