Blenheim Borough Council.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 208, 18 December 1869, Page 5

Blenheim Borough Council.

The Annual Meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday last at noon, when were present the Mayor, in the chair; Councillors Robinson, Hutcheson, Sinclair, Taylor, Farmar, Nosworthy, and DodLenn. The Year's Accounts. —The Mayor said that in the notices the business was for the election of the Mayor, and to pass Accounts, but he thought it would be better to take the Accounts first, and the election afterwards, Cr. Dodson agreed with that view, and in moving the adoption of the Accounts expressed the pleasure he felt in seeing how exact, and in what a clear and distinct form they were laid befoi’e them, an acknowledgement no more than was merited by the Town Clerk. They satisfactorily showed to the ratepayers how the money had been laid out, and that in a form which all could easily understand. The Council had not done* all they could have liked, but had done those works most needed as they best knew how. Cr. Sinclair had much pleasure in seconding the motion, and considered them a most lucid statement of the Accounts, and he quite agreed with the mover that the Clerk had placed them on the table in a most clear and intelligible form. Cr. Nosworthy supported the motion, adding that the balance sheet was most satisfactory. The contracts scarcely exceeded 50 per cent, of the rate collected, but he hoped that shortly they would be enabled to expend fully 75 per cent, on contracts. Cr. Hutcheson spoke in support, remarking thatthe contracts were but small in proportion to the money got in, but they had succeeded in getting a deal done for the money. He believed that the statement was acceptable to the burgesses at large. They had tried to use all economy. The Mayor endorsed all that had been said by the mover and seconder. The papers before them, without any flattery, showed that great credit was due to the Town Clerk; there were many expenses this year which would not occur again, but they could not always expect to get a Is rate, and he hoped that they would soon be enabled to do with a 6d. rate. He would remind them that the bank near the bridge needed attending to. The motion was carried on the voices. The Late Mayor. —Cl'. Sinclair thought there was an intermediate matter before proceeding to the election of the Mayor, and proposed a vote of thanks to Mr, Litchfield for his zeal, and the excellent and trustworthy manner in which he had filled the office during a period of difficulty, as follows: “That this Council, upon the expiry of the present year’s Mayoralty, desired to record its sense of the great diligence, attention, and ability, shewn by P. J. Litchfield, Esq., the first Mayor of this Borough in all that concerned the welfare and progress of the Borough; and that a minute of the same be entered upon the Borough records.” Cr. Hutcheson seconded the motion, and hoped they would get on us well under the next Mayor, whoever it might be, and as satisfied with the next year’s proceedings. Cr. Nosworthy thought the best time for this motion would be after the election, especially as it would be a delicate matter for the Mayor to have to put it. He should vote for it, but would prefer it postponed. Cr. Dodson wished the motion withdrawn, thinking this was scarcely the time, and amounted to a canvassing of his conduct in the last year, exciting a discussion which might form a bad precedent. All would agree with it, but it should take place after

the ordinary business. He should feel in an unpleasant position himself. Cr. Robinson objected to its being withdrawn. Cr. Sinclair thought it one of those questions that did not require discussion, and he did not see the delicacy of the position. The Mayor had no difficulty in putting the motion, and did not sec that it would matter whether put before or after. The motion was then put and carried. The Mayor returned thanks, and said he had endeavored to do what was right, and once he did do wrong, but that did not matter. He hoped that he had been right in his rulings, on account of the precedents set. It had been a rough time to bring things into action, and his successor would have a smoother time than he had experienced. He thanked them for the vote, and the kind way in which they had given expression to it. Election of Mayor. —Cr. Sinclair moved the re-election of Mr. Litchfield on the grounds that he had had a difficult time, which had been but short. In London and other places it was not a rare occurrence to re-elect the Mayor, and he thought it would be but graceful to enable him to get the credit of the improvements he had initiated. Another reason was that this town was robbed right and left, and he thought we could get the wharfs for ourselves. Country people used our roads and streets, and did not contribute to them. True, they could open tollgates and get a revenue that way, but there was a milder way : the wharfs would bring in a sum which would maintain them, and assist in repairing the streets. He then referred to the case of Kaiapoi, and said he should be sorry to interfere with traffic, but thought it would be the best way to assist by means of the wharfs At the present time these were in a dangerous state, but he would reserve his questions till he saw if another candidate was proposed. He would like to know something about the alteration of the boundaries of the Borough, and as to the division of the town into three wards. He knew the Mayor held similar views to himself on these heads, and believed what had been done would show good fruits. Cr. Hutcheson seconded with pleasure, reminding them that the last speaker and himself had the pleasure of performing a similar duty last year. He agreed with the mover that the term had been a short one, and therefore he ought to be continued in office for another year. Cr. Nos worthy moved that Mi’. Henry Dodson bo Mayor for next year. He was sure no one could be more diligent in attendance, both in the Council and to its duties. He had shown by his assiduity when on various committees during the last year, that he was as fit to fill the office as any person in the town, and he would support him. Cr. Robinson seconded pro forma, as he had some questions to put before he could make up his mind. Would Cr. Dodson be in favor of persons putting up private wharfs to defraud the town of its revenue, he (himself) knew something of wharfs, and would jealously watch what steps were taken in this direction. Cr, Dodson said most assuredly he was not. Ho might tell them, although all his friends were aware of the circumstances that he had in applying to the Government for leave to erect a wharf, done so under the impression that they had the power to give him a lease. In reply he received leave to do so, and had agreed to leave it to the Government at the end of either two or three years. It would pass over to the Government at that time. He did not assert that he had any control over it, and every ratepayer in the town would have the same privilege as himself. He now knew they had no more control over the banks of the river than if erected on Mr. Sinclair’s property. [Mr. Sinclair: That is my private property.] Mr. Dodson: While this is not mine. He would leave it to anyone to say whether he had ever sought to evade his share of the duties and responsibilities in the town. As to the wharf, he could keep no one oft’ it, nor had he any desire to do so. Cr. Robinson said he was glad to hear the candid avowal of Mr. Dodson. Cr. Litchfield had heard that it was said over the town that he did not intend to stand again, and it was because on a recent occasion he sent in his resignation. He had not mentioned the matter since to any Councillor. He took a wrong view at the time, and placed himself in a wrong position. He sent in his resignation because he thought the silence of the Council on the occasion alluded to was a condemnation at the time, but had afterwards found it was not so. Cr. Sinclair asked if, in case of re-election, he would endeavor to procure justice to the town in respect of the wharfs ? If there was an exception in one case, it would justify others, and he wished to know if he would prevent the erection of further encroachments? Would he endeavour to see that others paid as well; to try and get the boundaries of the town more equitably defined; and the Borough divided into Wards? Cr. Litchfield, in reply, said he would like to see that part of the town

brought within the Borough, and would be in favor of dividing the town into Wards, Cr. Sinclair then put the following questions to Cr. Dodson:—Would ho use his best endeavors to secure the wharf revenues to the Borough ; to have the Borough boundaries re-defined by Act of the Assembly ; and to have the town divided into Wards? To which Cr. Dodson’s reply was Yes, and thought it unnecessary to say more than he had already dome. Hs could appeal to his past conduct during and private duties, and would, if elected, do his best to uphold the dignity of the office. He had not asked any councillor for his vote. Some time ago he speut considerable time and pains to get the boundaries of the town altered. Whether as member, councillor, or private settler, he had never shirked his responsibilities. It was not because of the circumstance referred to by the Mayor that he now stood, having been asked even before the present one was elected. Had he been in the chair, scenes would not have occurred that had been witnessed in that Council; and it would have been better if the Mayor had on some occasions show a little more firmness. As to Wards, he had already signed a memorial praying for the division of tho Borough into Wards. He would do his best to get the wharfs conveyed to the town. Cr. Sinclair wished to know if he was in favor of going to the Assembly to get tbe boundaries remodelled. Cr. Dodson would not abuse his office to oppose any measure, but would reserve his rights as a private individual. He had made several attempts already to get the boundaries amended, but was not prepared to say he would initiate such a measure regardless of expense ; his public life and acts sufficiently answered the question. Cr. Hutcheson was glad to hear the answers given, but urged that they should not attach too much importance to the questions just cropped up, and he would support the late Mayor on account of his holding office only a short year. The Mayor then put the nomination of Cr. Dodson to the Council, when the votes were s—Crs. Robinson, Taylor, Farmar, Nosworthy, and Dodson. Having been conducted to the chair by his proposer, the Mayor (Mr. Dodson) returned thanks, saying he would endeavor during the year to have the concurrence op the Council as his predecessor had done. Hone were more aware of the service that gentleman had been to the town than himself. He had nothing startling to initiate, but hoped to receive the support of the late Mayor. He did not take any credit to himself for the position he was placed in, and hoped at the close of the next year they would not regret it. (Applause.) The Council then adjourned.