MR GEORGE SIMMONS AND HIS RESIGNATION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1505, 25 July 1881, Page 2

MR GEORGE SIMMONS AND HIS RESIGNATION.

[to the editor.] Sir—At the last meeting of the Eotough Council I did not take any ]:art in its proceedings, but took my seat in the body of the Hall, as I had some days prior placed my resignation as a councillor iu the hands of the Mayor, who had unhesitatingly accepted it. Whilst listening to the proceedings, I was surprised to find that my resignation was not only presented by the Town Glerk but was refused to be accepted by the Council, because I had stated my reasons for resigning. Yes they refused it—refused that which I had not presented to them—refused that with which they had not in the least degree to do with as a body; and,

although this was fully proved to be the case hy Councillor Seddon, at the same time he (inconsistently) moved that I send in another (h second) notice of my resignation to the Mayor, same to be given without any stated reason for uiy doing so ; and that on my complianice the Town Clerk tie -instructed to take no fuKher proceeding*, <&c. To this very remarkable resolution I took no notice, not on account"of the want of courtesy manifested by the Council in not informing .me officially with regard to the nature of- the resolution or that such a resolution was Carried-, but because af the following * That the Municipal Corporations ACt provides no specified form to guide, a person in wording a notice of his resig l nation as councillor. That the act debars no one giving his reasous fat*

resigning, neither does the law ol.jeCt to those reasons being sent in with his resignation. That, according to the Act, his Worship the Mayor is the proper person by whom all resignations of councillors should be received. That the Mayor on accepting the resignation of a, councillor (the councillor's) seat becomes at onoe, and finally 'vacant. That I tendered my resignation to the Mayor, and it was accepted by his Worship. That the reasons and statements made in connection with my resignations, are perfectly truthful. That I tendered my resignation in a form that my best judgment dictated. That it is not required of me to make out, and send the Town Clerk a notice of my resignation, the Mayor having accepted the same already. That the Council has no power to dictate 5h6 manner, wording, or style of a -written resignation, neither can it in any way interfere with its reception or rejection by the Mayor. .That the resolution passed by the Council at its last meeting (N.B. —calling upon me to makeout in a specified form, restricting roe to use certain words, a second notica of my resignation) was highly informal and strictly illegal. That the above is; quite sufficient grounds, justifying my non-compliance with the request contained in such an unconstitutional resolution.—l am, &c,

Geo. Simmons. [This letter must close the correspondence on this subject.—Ed. K.T.]