OUR BOROUGH COUNCLLORS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 981, 24 September 1881, Page 3

OUR BOROUGH COUNCLLORS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —I have heard a good deal lately about the proceedings of our Borough Councillors, but I am at a loss to know how they vote on questions coming before them. Recently I have noticed that some two or three of them have been scratching each others’ backs about the “ black board ” business ; and yesterday I was informed that a certain councillor kept his seat at the Board —if he did not vote—while the charges against the Town Clerk were being discussed ; and he, at the same time, had signified his intention of being an applicant for the post. Hearing these things I determined to look up the law on the point, but could only obtain permission to peruse the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, under which, I believe, our councillors hold their seats. I “ spotted ” clause 75, and if you can insert it for the information of your readers, you will, doubtless, confer a favor on the burgesses. My only reason in bringing this to notice is that everything should be done in the spirit of Fair Play. [The 75th clause to which our correspondent refers, says :—“ No councillor shall vote upon or take any part in the discussion of any matter before the Council in which he has directly or indirectly, by himself or his partners, an interest; and any councillor who knowingly offends against this section shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds for every such offence.”—Ed.]