A MUNICIPAL UPROAR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2236, 18 May 1880, Page 2

A MUNICIPAL UPROAR.

The South Dunedin Council a sketch of whose lively proceedings we recently gave, are still in troubled waters. Last week they they held several meetings but each meeting was adjourned as the Mayor refused to sign the minutes. On Friday eyening a special meeting was held for the purpose of obtaining the Mayor’s signature to the balance sheet. Some discussion having taken place as to the convening of the meeting. one of the councillors settled the difficulty byremarking that the balance sheet would be all right if it went up to Wellington'’ before the first Tuesday in June. The Mayor I —There’s several figures in the balance sheet marked out. The Cleric—Do you mean to say the figures were scratched out after they had been audited P The Mayor —I don’t say that. I see some of the figures scratched out. The Clerk (to the Mayor)—You had better be careful of what you arc saying. You have said enough against me already. I tell you that to your face. Cr Wybar —Did the Mayor see the balance sheet before it was brought here ? The^Mayor—No ; but it is not a proper balance sheet to produce here, it should have been a clean balance sheet that could easily be made out. Cr M‘l3ricle —It is merely a correction by the auditors. I think the Mayors’s remark is likely to raise a false impression. The balance-sheet is right enough, Mr Mayor, so far as the figures are concerned. Cr Wybar—The Mayor wants to steal a march on the public at large. The Mayor —I have not seen any other balance-sheet like that. I think the auditors should have initialed the erasures. The Clerk —I could obtain the auditors’initials to the correction at any time, if necessary. Cr M‘Bride —I will now move that as you don’t scorn inclined to go on with

the business to-night—“ That the Mayor sign the balance-sheet.” Cr Wybar—l second that, The Mayor—This meeting has not been called in accordance with the Act. Some time or another you must begin at the right place, and not break the Act day after day. The Clerk —There arc more Acts than one in the world —more Acts than one broken every day. The Mayor—l must ask the Town Clerk to keep his position. The Clerk—Well, don’t make any insinuations. The Mayor—lt is a peculiar state of affairs when the clerk can get up and argue when he likes, Cr M'Bride—Tt is pretty hard lines. The Mayor—l will sign the balancesheet when the Act has been complied with. lam not paid for running after the Town Clerk. Cr Carey —This meeting is illegal, and if Cr M'Bride wants to have the balance-sheet signed let him appoint another chairman. The Mayor—There is nothing else tonight. We were called together to consider the balance-sheet. The ordinary business meeting of the Council will be held on Monday night. The proceedings then terminated.