AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 588, 3 December 1851, Page 2

AUCKLAND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Ok Saturday last, the Council for the New Borough of Auckland met for the first time. The members assembled in the Legislative Council Chambei', which the Government has placed at their disposal for meetings until they provide a suitable building for their own purposes. There was a numerous attendance of Burgesses in that portion of the room set apart for the public. The Worshipful the Mayok took his seat at a quarter-past twelve o'clock, and the following members were Piussbxt: — Aldermen Dignan, O'Neill, and Powditch ; Councillors Davy, Meiriman, Abraham, Norman, Haultain, Hickson, M'Donald, Newman, and Taylor. Absent : . Alderman Mason. The Mayor opened the proceedings with the following

Address. Gentlemen, — We are now met for the first-, time in our corporate capacity, and usage, as well as propriety, rentiers it necessary that I should address a i'ew words to you. First, Gentlemen, allow me in this public manner to thank you for the high honor you have conferred upon me, by choosing me to preside over your deliberations. Although sensible of my own inexperience, 1 feel comparatively at case in my novel situation, from a growing conviction that I am surrounded by gentlemen who will be desirous of aiding me to the utmost of their power, and whose aim is, as my own, to advance the interests of this rising community, We have been inaugurated with all due "pomp and circumstance," and though to many this may appear a trivial matter, yet viewed in connection with other expressions of considerateness on the part of the Government, I think it is to be taken as an omen for good We arc even iioav, by the kindness of His Excellency the LieutenantGovernor, in the enjoyment of a more substantial boon in being permitted, for a time, the use of this Chamber for a place of meeting; and I am moreover instructed to express to you his willingness to continue the oversight of certain works up to the 3^ December next, when it is to be hoped we shall' be in a better condition than now to take charge of such works, and carry them on with efficiency. Such manifestations of a desire to co-operate for the common interests of the Borough, will, I doubt not, be duly appreciated, and induce us to give proper expression to our sense of their

value. The feeling which pervades the public mind in regard to our future labours is another encouraging circumstance nob unworthy of our notice. The Charter itself is now a " Gki:at Fact," and whatever may have been, or may still be, the opinions of individuals as to the immediate or remote benefits which may result from its enactment, all reasonable men are agreed that time must be given for the gradual devolopement of its parts, and that to force them into premature activity will be the surest way to superinduce those evils which may otherwise be avoided. In discussing questions, differences of opinion among ourselves will arise. From the very con-

■stiluli.ni of nnr nature these arc the necessary coin oii'iiiinls til Freedom and Independence ; but com uu i ni\smv> oi" demeanour, rind attention to the n^'i.il i'(iii\on!ioniil'M!i', of civilized society, are pcrieciU cniuji.itible as Ii 1 i liberty of Speech and i'miinc-, of I'm pose, 11, is not, however, improbab'e th.it. A\heu> comictioi) is strong, gentlemen may ocriMonally lie betrayed into a warmth of e\pie'sion -wliicii (o others may appear offensive. More fiupientb there -will be an aptitude to '* tv.iM 1 out of the record," and inlroduee matters not relevant to the subject under debate. All such irreuulitrities I hope, Gentlemen, you will support, me in discouraging, so that thebiibiness of the Council may go on "decently and in order " Gentlemen, tlie duties which we have underlai.en arc multiform :nid onerous. As yet we have not been able to comprehend them in their extent, nor iuliy to realize their importance. In thes-o ciicmnMaiK'eP, i think we shall best ,'ceure the piupo-i's of our election by slow and cautions prog region — not rashly disturbing existing arrangements, but preparing ourselves, by careful enquiries, for the assumption of all those powers' conferred upon us b> the Charter. 'Hie duties of our oOiee are not only important (liey may become arduous ; and if we would perform them might, personal feeling's ami considerations must gi\c way to those which the public (service demands. We aic responsible i'or/ihe manner in which we discharge them, to thyj'Vommunity in which we live — to Her Majesty the Qukkn — and, above all, to Him who is King of King?, and who alone "judgeth righteous judgment." Councillor Mkiuuman (noting Town Cleric)' read the Mayors report of the swearing in of the members, the election of Mayor and Aldermen, and the inauguration of the Corporation, and handed in the Lieutenant-Governor's Address on the occasion, which, on the motion of Councillor AuiuiiYM, were ordered to be entered on the minutes. Alderman O'NKir.r, rose to express his concurrence in the sentiments embodied in the Mayor's address, which had reference to the encouraging assistance that the Council had received from the Government in entering upon its duties. The desire manifested by ll is Excellency the Lieu-tenant-Governor, amounting even to anxiety, to afford the Council every facility to enter upon its responsibilities with as little embarrassment, as possible, made it incumbent upon the Council, he thought, to express their sense of this in a vote of thanks to bo recorded amongst the first minutes of their proceedings. He believed that the interest of the Borough would be best advanced by fostering a further growth of good-will between the Government and the Municipality; his own belief always was that no good, but/a great deal of mischief resulted from a violent incessant opposition to the Government, by parties among* the people ; but he was now more than ever convinced that that Council would best stud)' the interests of the Borough which it rcpresonlcd, by entering upon its duties in atone of conciliation and loyalty towards the authorities — and, in presenting their claims to the Government in such us spirit, he felt assured that they must prevail in procuring all that belonged to the. Borough as its rights. The new Corporation had good reason, he believed, to claim from the Government a greater amount of land and money by way of endowment ; it should have the power made over to it to grant publicans licenses ; it required a grant of land on -which to erect a Town-hall ; and it had a right to be heard in protest against the injustice of any portion of the New Zealand Company's claim being charged on this Province. These, amongst other things, were matters on which the Council would j no doubt require consideration on the part of the- ! Government, and if they were to jndge of the future willingness of the Government to meet their wishes b/ the disposition already shewn to aid them,, there coidd be little doubt but that all their reasonable and just demands would be granted ; and! that the effects of a continued cordial co-opera-tion of the Government with the Corporation! would soon be seen in the growingly healthful state of a flairs in the Borough. He would therefore beg to move a vote of thanks to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, for the desire he had shown to assist the Borough Council in every way in his power in entering upon its duties. Alderman DreNAN seconded the motion, which, was carried unanimously. The Acting Town Clerk, on the part of the Mayor, submitted a Code of Rules for liegulating the Meetings of the Council, which were read and agreed to seriatim. Councillor Abraham proposed an additional rule to provide that, in the event of the Mayor or an Alderman not being in attendance within half-au-hour aft r the time appointed for meeting, members present to be at liberty to elect a chaii'nian, and declare the meeting adjourned. Councillor Mekbiman opposed the adoption of such a rule on the ground that, according to the Charter, no meeting could be formed unless the Mayor or one of the Aldermen were present. He had no objection that a time should be specified, which should elapse from the appointed hour of meeting, after which members in attendaace would be at liberty to withdraw. Alderman O'Neill thought that a time ought to be named for members to wait, aud should the Mayor or an Alderman not be present when that time expired, there might be a book in which the members in attendance should enter their names, and then withdraw. Councillor Abraham thought that, unless an adjournment was regularly entered on theminnlcs, much inconvenience might aiise with respect to notices of motion standing for the particular date on which the meeting could not be duly constituted. He therefore still thought that,, although it would not be competent for members to proceed to legitimate Council business, yet they would do no improper act by appointing it. Chairman and recording an adjournment and the cause of if. The rule was passed — three vot&g against it. Councillor Abraham then proposed several: other additional rules, one of which -was to e»ble members to enter protests against any nrocee^ng of the Council to which they may object— such protests to be received after the minutes are read,, and before any other business be proceeded ■witfh; anothei, that no bye-law should be made and passed at one sitting. Alderman Powditch moved, that from the time of introduction to the notice of the Council o£ any bye-law to the passing of it and afhxmg theseal, not less than a fortnight should elapse. Agreed to. The rules introduced by the May.ob, and thp, additional ones proposed, were ordered to stand^ over to the next meeting for. revision and approval. Councillor Mbhriman gave notice that, in three weeks fiom that date, he would move for leave, to resign his seat as representative of the East Suburban Ward. Councillor Abraham thought there was nothing, in the Charter to prevent the Council from signifying at once its consent to the application of the, worthy Councillor. By doing so, the Council would give the Burgesses of the Ward the benefit of three weeks' certainty that might otherwise be spent in doubt as to whether the Council would consent to the application or not. If the Council would consent, the sooner the Burgesses were made aware of it, the more time they would have to think of a fife and proper person to succeed their present representative Councillor Murrimah thought that as the Charter provided that the election for the successor of a retiring member was not to take place till ten days after the Council had consented to allow the member to resign, there would be sufficient time for the selection of a successor. Besides, a member might give notice of an applicant

tion for leave to resign, and might see cause to change his mind before the time to bring forivartfhi.s application had arrived. Councillor Abkvham thought that it was necessary the Council should at once take slops to procure a suitable seal for the Borough. He was in hopes that the authorities would have set the Corporation properly a-going, and furnished it with a Seal : as that had not been done, and as the Seal must be procured from Sydney, he would move that the Acting Town Clerk be instructed to pro\ ide one as soon as practicable. Councillor Mkkrim vn said there would be no occasion to send out of the Colony for a Seal ; the Council could have one to its own liking, well executed in Auckland, lie thought that designs should be submiltod to the Council before any order were given to engrave the Seal. Councillor Newman thought the design would be quite enough, unless the Seal were brought to execute the death-warrant of the Corporation itbuir. It was agreed that the Acting Town Clerk should procure designs and submit them to the Council at ils next meeting. Councillor AmturAM gave notice that he would bring forward a rule to provide that in all personal communications with the authorities, the Mayoi should be accompanied by an Alderman or other member of the Council. There were several documents with which the Corporation should be MippHed by the Government. For instance, a map of the various Wards and Hundreds of the Borough, a copy of the Ordinances of Council, including the Land Appropriation Ordinance, &c. He thought the Mayor would often find it necessary to seek interviews with the authorities on Corporation matters, and on such occasions it would be as well that he should be accompanied by another member of the Common Council. A conversation arose on the subject of the personal service of summonses on members for each meeting of the Council. It was found that, as several members lesided at a considerable distance from town, a heavy expense would be incurred in carrying out this provision— not less than twenty shillings on the occasion of each meeting. The members were all disposed to make such arrangements as would save this expense as far as possible, until the clause of the Charter relating lo.it should be amended. Councillor MnuiUM vn gave notice that, at the next meeting, he would move that an addressee forwarded to the Lieutenant-Governor to enquire whether one-third of the gioss proceeds of the Land Fund is to be handed over to the Corpora tion, or whether there is any debt as a first charge ; the enquiry to be made more particularly with reference to the expenses of locating the ■Pensioners, and the debt of the New Zealand Company. Alderman Dig sax gave notice that, at the next meeting, he would move the appointment of a Committee for the formation of Bye-Laws. Councillor Annul vm gave notice that he would move, at the next meeting, That it is expedient to appoint Provisional Committees of inspection and enquiry on the following subjects connected with the Borough, namely :—: — 1. .Public Roads and Thorough farns; two Committees—one for the Town and Suburban Wards; another for the Rural Wauls. <2. Public Woiksand Buildings. :). Charitable Ti lists and Public Institutions. 4. Public Health, or Sanatory Committee, including- Supply of Water, Lighting, Interments, Di. -image, and Cleansing Roads and all ThoroughLv eh. Tint each Committee consists of throe members, exclusive of the Mayor., '1 hat the Mayor be an ex offlcio number of eacli Committee. That such several Commitloes have power to regulate their own proceeding's. That such Committees respectively have power [to communicate with all public authorities, to examine witnesses, and to call for papers. That such Committees lespectively do enquirp into, and report on, the present state of the several subject matters refeired to them, complete all information re]aiing thereto ; as far as possible, and maKe suggestions as to fiitme management and administration. That each Committee be at liberty to makp, from time to time, seperate Reports to the Council, on the various matters under consideration, or one general Report as the Committee may deem advisable. That every Report of any Sub- Committee be laid on the Table seven days at least before the discussion thpreof in Council. On all, or any of the forgoing motions being carried, Mr. Abraham will further move, that the Council do proceed at once to nominate the several Committees, and that the sune be nominated accoulingly. The meeting was then adjourned until further notice.