Borough Council Delays.

Patea Mail, 11 September 1882, Page 3

Borough Council Delays.

A special meeting of the Borough Council .to-consider the calling tenders for loan works was held on Friday evening. There were present the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Taplin, Dixon, Howitt, Black, and Mahony. The Mayor explained that a resolution carried at the last meeting stated that a special meeting was to be called as soon as the Engineer was ready. The Engineer had notified him that the specifications were ready ;. consequently this meeting was called at the earliest day. The ratepayers had voted on this matter, and by an overwhelming majority had shown that they were in earnest about the loan works being started as early as possible ; consequently they had a right to demand that no time should be lost, although he regretted .hei was not a full Council present. The Engineer was in the room to make any explanation they mig-ht require regarding the plans. Councillor Dixon : I agree it would have been much better that a full Council should have been here. I believe that the notice of this meeting has not been served on some Councillors, because they were out, of town. Besides this, the notice required has not been given. I believe that three clear days’ notice has to be given of a special meeting. The Mayor had the Act read in reference. to the calling of special meetings, showing that only two clear days' notice need be given. Councillor Taplin : Is Councillor Dixon right in saying that some of the Councillors did not receive notice ? The Mayor: I only know that the Councillors must have known that I would call this meeting as soon as possible after the Engineer was ready. Councillor Mahony proposed an adjournment till Monday night. Seconded by Councillor Dixon. Councillor Black supported the motion on the ground that four of the oldest members of the Council were absent (Councillors Adams, Milroy, Gibson, and Aitchison), and it was better that these specifications should be discussed by the whole Council. The Mayor : If Councillors have private business of more importance than the ratepayers’ business, that is a question for the ratepayers to consider. The resolu-_~->n calling this meeting says we shall * omy consider the calling for tenders. This is merely a formal meeting. The advertisement calling for tenders cannot appear \ till Saturday evening ; and 1 submit that six of us should be able to discuss the specifications as well as ten. 1 move the immediate consideration of the specifications. Councillor Taplin : I will second the amendment. I do not think six gentlemen should be put about because the others have . absented themselves. I have ridden 20 miles to-night for the purpose of attending this meeting, and I do not see why these absentees should be taken into consideration. The important part of the work ,has really been done. The full Council agreed that when certain papers had been prepared by the Engineer the works should be gone on with, and now we have met to formally consider these specifications. The Engineer’s presence here is more important than the

pn si nee of any of the. wiseacres who are aw y. Tiieie is no reason for an adjournment ; we have simply to consider the Eugineer’s estimates. Two or three Councillors went out of town merely for a pleasure trip. I know that is the case with one at least. The Mayor said that as to the mode of raising the loan, another special meeting would be necessary. They had been now nine months, and yet further delay was asked for. Councillor Black t In supporting the motion for adjournment, I say we must recognise these Government land sales, and it is only natural that business men should attend them. I think the night is not a fair one for the meeting. Councillor Mahony said it was not long since they adjourned a meeting because the Mayor was not there. The Mayor : I never asked you to. Councillor Mahony : That depends on how it is read. I do not see why we should not adjourn this meeting for a full Council, otherwise we might get passing private streets. The Mayor : We are met to consider the resolution of the Council. (To the Clerk) Please read it again. lam anxious that Councillor Mahony should know why this meeting has been called. (After the resolution was read, the Mayor said) : There is no proposal there to call tenders for private streets. * Councillor Mahony : There is no doubt the four Councillors away have a great interest in the matter. Councillor Dixon considered that four of the most able men of the Council were away, and if the meeting were adjourned till Monday night they could give the Council a good deal of information. Councillor Howitt supported the motion for the same reason. The Mayor : It does not say much for the Councillors present, but I shall have to bow to the decision of a majority. If six of os are incompetent to consider this simple question, we owe a duty to the ratepayers : that is to resign at once. The amendment being put and lost, the motion was carried, Councillors Black, Howitt, Dixon and Mahony voting for, the Mayor and Councillor Taplin against. The Council adjourned till Monday evening.