A LIVELY MEETING.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2226, 6 May 1880, Page 2

A LIVELY MEETING.

The “ Otago Daily Times,” gives a racy account o£ a lively meeting o£ the South Dunedin Council, which was held on Monday night for the purpose of signing (lie burgess roll. A special rate had been struck, which certain ratepayers declined to pay, on the ground that it was illegal. Among the defaulters was a Councillor, Carey by name and the animated proceedings arose out of a proposal to strike bis name of£ the roll. Cr M‘Bride stood up and said—Mr Mayor, this roll has been signed by you for a purpose. Mr Town, Clerk, just explain this ; it’s been done for a purpose. The Town Clerk —For a purpose! Well, I will just say The Mayor—Mr Town Clerk, how dare you say such a thing p Sit down. The Town Clerk —I am a man and will not allow 3 r ou to sit on me, or anyone. The Mayor Sit down, Mr Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk —I shall maintain my position. I shall maintain my position. I don’t care for you or anybody else like you. I don’t care for you more than I do that snap of my finger (suiting the action to the word in His Worship’s face). The Mayor—You must sit down, Mr Town Clerk until there is a little order in the Council.

Cr Carey—Let him explain. Everything has been * Cr Price—lt is a most dastardly thing.

Cr M‘Bride—lt has been done for a purpose.

Cr Price—Disgraceful, disgraceful, disgraceful, I never saw such a thing. Disgraceful! The Mayor—ls this to be tolerated ?

The Town Clerk —You will find that the Clerk is a determinod man, and will maintain his character, and will not allow Mr

The Mayor—lf the Town Clerk does not sit down I shall remain here till morning. Cr Carey—l have got my “tucker” with me.

Here there was a lull in the proceedings, while the Clerk made a lengthy explanation, and then said: “ I am independent of the Council. I am a humausjeing. I shall not be sat on.’ ’ Cr Mcßride—We want an independent man.

The motion that Mr Carey’s name bo struck off the roll was put and carried. The Mayor then made known his intention of protesting against the motion, and added: “ I shall never sign the roll,”

Cr Forrester—l suppose we have to get whatever you wish. I consider this “ cheek,” and nothing else, Wo can appoint another chairman. Or Carey—lt amuses me to see a number of councillors here—a number of wise-heads —men that represent only only themselves—men that get in simply by a “ 11 like’’—(cries of “ Like you !”) —and these people are trying to cany out their ideas whether they are illegal or not. Cr Carey afterwards indulged in a snarl at his neighbor, Cr Osmond (who had taken the precaution of arming himself with a ruler.) “ You crooked little animal,” said he ; “you arc a smart man, ain’t you ?’

Cr Osmond —Yes I am smarter than you. The Clerk hero burst forth again, thus—l am not an infant.

A Ratepayer—No, you arc only a baby. Cr Carey—l was always agreeable to pay this special rate. Cr Osmond —Except your share of it. Cr Carey—Eh! You are a lot of blackguards ; you are etc., etc., etc. After sitting till midnight, the Council decided to adjourn without signing the roll. It transpired during the proceedings that the mayor and two councillors had on a previous occasion signed the burgess roll instead of the assessment roll.