MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 30 November 1878, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

w Wednesday, NovgajßEß 27, 1878. Present — Messrs. Thynne (m the chair), Macarthur, Linton, Halcombe, Kebbell, Gower, Sanson, Rockstrow, Loudon, and Carr. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, Cr. Halcoube rose, and moved the following resolution : — " That this Council desires to place on record its opinion that the return of Mr Francis Loudon to a seat m the Council, after his self-imposed retirement during the last session m consequence of his having falsified the rocords of this Council, is an insult to the other nioinbers of the Council, and the Ridings they represent." In a lengthy speech of scathing invective Cr. Halcombe reviewed the facts which led ; to the retirement of Cr. Loudon, winding up with the declaration that he would absolutely refuse to endorse or second any j motion he miglit make, and urging other ' members to take a like course, and make his seat useless m the Council. Cr. Maoa^thitb followed by seconding and supporting the resolution, stating' that the Council was insulted by the return of Mr Loudon. Cr. Ro.cks j tbow protested against the course pursued, stating that as the ratepayers had given their verdict by sending Mr Loudon m, the Coi\i\oU to meddle with the matter. Cr. Sanson regretted exceedingly that the matter should be again opened up, and could not see what the Council could do to remedy it. Cr. GOWEB was of opinion that as the matter had been thoroughly ventilated by the electors, and as they had returned Mr Loudon, the Council could take no cognisance of the past. H© agreed with a g-reas. deal of what Mr Halcombe had said, but tho matter was taken out. of hia hands by tho electors. Cr. Linton said he had come to tho meeting to transact; pu.blic business, not to dis; cuss things of that sort. Mr Loudon had committed a grave fault, Mr Loudon had been heavily punished, and as the ratepayers had deemed him worthy of their confidence, he should treat him with the same respect as any other representative of the people. Messrs. Thynne, Loudon, and Halcombe afterwards spoke m explanation, Jwhen the resolution was put and carried. The '@o,iyi l c4 then, adj[ourned]|i*jfttil b_^past one.