MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5412, 1 August 1878, Page 2

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Tho Conference resumed their meeting at the Council Hall yesterday. Business was commenced at half-past ten o’clock. His Worship tho Mayor of Wellington was in the chair.

Previous to the ordinary business being commenced, the Chairman intimated that he had appointed Mr. Rutherford as temporary clerk. It was also resolved, on tho motion of Captain Standish, that seven members should form a quorum. The Clbek then read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed. THE MUNICIPAL COEPOKATZOHS BILL. With regard to clauses 40 and 47 the following amendment was.made by the last Conference :—That clauses 46 and 47 be amended,dn order that any person who produces a receipt for rates paid in accordance with occupation, may claim at any time not less than seven days before any municipal election, to have his name put on the burgess roll, and so be entitled to vote at any election, and that his name bo struck off the defaulters 1 list. After -some little discussion it was resolved that the clause should stand as it was. Clause K.—Candidate for the office of Mayor, to deposit a sum of £lO. The Ciiaieman thought the mint of £lO was too small, as it enabled persons to come forward simply to cause an annoyance, and he would therefore move that the sum be raised to £25. Mr. G. 0. Bowen coincided with the chairman.

Captain Standish would like the deposit in such cases- done away with altogether, and moved as an amendment that it be expunged. Mr. Mooruousß thought the amendment antagonistic to the spirit of the age in which •they lived, an election being tho opportunity for expressing popular opinion, which tho ammendment, if carried, would have a tendency to suppress. ' A division then took place, which resulted in a tie. The Chairman declined to give his (casting vote, and tho clause was allowed to stand as it was. Clausa 51.—The Mayor shall be a councillor, iu virtue of his office.

Mr. Bowen considered that the present system had not been long enough in force .to guarantee any change. If, however, there was to. be a change, ha would like to see a close election.

i (Captain Standish thought that if the election of Mayors was confined to the Councillors themselves it would be very objectionable to the ratepayers. I Mr. Gisborne thought a close election would be the means of keeping many men of |;reat experience from the office. ■! Mr, Power moved as au amendment,—That'.those words be added after the word “ office,” via,“only, shall -ke iactpable of

holding the office of Mayor otherwise than by virtue of his office as Mayor." The clause was allowed to stand as it was. Clause 61. —The only part of this clause in which any amendment was effected was subsection 4, which read as follows : —Any person holding auy office or place of profit under or in the gift of the Council, or being concerned or participating (other than as a shareholder in a company or partnership consisting more than twenty persons) in any contract with or work to be done for the Council. —The amendment was a reduction of the number of partners from 20 to 7. Clause 63.—Penalty for acting unlawfully as a councillor. This clause was amended by providing that the penalty should not exceed £3O. , Clause 78. —Ordinary meetings of the council shall be open to the public, but the council may-exclude strangers, or any stranger on account of disorderly conduct. This clause was passed with but very little discussion.

Clause 104.—The borough fund, —was amended, in accordance with a suggestion of last year’s Conference, as follows : —That all goldfields revenue arising within the borough shall be held to bo borough funds. In regard to clauses 139 to 141, providing for speeial loans, the Conference last year suggested an amendment with the view of vesting the voting power for special rates, levied for permanent improvements,- in owners aud in tenants of properties whose leases have at least seven years to run, and whose properties are affected thereby. The question was allowed to stand over until a future meeting of the Conference. After some other business of a formal nature, the Conference adjourned until 10 o'clock next day. __________