IV. CORPORATE OFFICERS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 9, 7 May 1842, Page 36

IV. CORPORATE OFFICERS.

Oath. — 38. No mayor, alderman, or auditor shall act as such (except in administering the oath hereinafter contained) until he shall have taken, before any two or more of such aldermen (who are hereby authorized to administer the same), an oath in the wordß or to the effect following, that is to say — I, A. 8., having been elected alderman (or, as the case may be) for the borough of do swear that I will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of my office, to the beat of my judgment and ability. - So help me God. Mayor. Duration of Office. — 39. The mayor shall hold his office until the last Monday of December in 'the year following his election, on which day the council shall meet for the purpose of electing his successor. Who to be. — 40. The office of mayor shall, at the first election, be filled by such member of the council (being willing to hold the same) as shall have received, the highest number of votes. At all subsequent elections the mayor shall be elected from amongst the council by themselves, by a majority of votes, the late mayor having a casting vote. . Vacancy.— 41. In case of any extraordinary vacancy in the office of mayor, the council shall meet for the purpose of electing a successor for the remainder of the year, in the manner hereinafter provided. Temporary Incapacity. — 42. If the mayor shall, by reason of absence or illness, be incapable of discharging the duties of his office, it shall be lawful for the first alderman upon the list, who shall be willing so to do, to perform the same. Mayor to be Returning Officer. — 43. The mayor for the time being shall be the returning officer for the borough. Penalty. — 44. Every person who shall be liable to serve the office of mayor or alderman, and who shall refuse to accept the same, shall forfeit the sum of £50; upon payment whereof he shall be discharged from such liability. Resignation. — 45. It shall be lawful for any mayor or alderman to resign his office at any time, with the consent of the council : provided that the mayor or alderman desiring to resign shall give to the council' not ltss than three weeks' notice of such his intention.

Who exempt. — 46. No member of the Legislative Council; no person holding office by appointment of his Excellency the Governor ; no officer in h«r Majesty's army or navy, or marine forces, on full pay; nor any revenue officer, shall be liable to serve as mayor or alderman without his own consent.

Who disqualified.— 47. Provided also that no judge, sheriff, or coroner, no clergyman, priest, or minister of religion, shall be qualified to hold the offices aforesaid.

Convicted Felons, fyc. — 48. It shall not be lawful for any man who shall have been convicted of felony, bribery, or perjury (although he shall have suffered the full punishment for his offence), to vote at the election of aidermen and auditors, or to hold any office to be created under the authority of this ordinance : provided that no man who shall have been convicted of any such offence shall be thereby disqualified m case he shall have received a free pardon. Bankruptcy, Sfc, of Mayor or Alderman. — 49. If any mayor or alderman shall be declared {bankrupt, or shall apply to take the benefit of i any act for the relief of insolvent debtors, or shall compound by deed with his creditors, or I shall be absent from the borough for three calendar months at one and the same time, such j mayor or alderman shall thereupon cease to be a member of the council.

Members qf the Council not to contract. — 50. If any member of the council or person holding any office in the gift or disposal thereof, shall, directly or indirectly, have any share or interest in any contract or employment with or by the council (other than as a shareholder in any public company, who shall contract with the council for the fighting, or supplying with water, or insuring against fire, any part of such borough), he shall thenceforward cease to be a member of the council, or to hold such office as aforesaid.