LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN VICTORIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2455, 31 January 1881, Page 4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN VICTORIA.

A scene unparalleled in the annals of municipalities occurred at the meeting of the Buln Buln Shire Council on Jan. 14, resulting in the stopping of works and payment to contractors. The president (Mr P. G. Smith) at a previous meeting, through his casting rote, succeeded in carrying a motion for expunging a portion of the minutes of the preceding meeting. The Western Riding councillors considered that such action impugned their integrity and honour. When the matter was brought forward, the president would not allow it to proceed, and a motion for the suspension of the standing orders, with a view- of referring the matter to the Minister of Public Works, was likewise ruled out of order by the president. Until this matter was settled, the Western councillors refused to sit with the president, and broke up in disorder. ■ An impromptu public meeting was held, at which the president’s actions were denounced in the strongest terms by Messrs Gardiner, Sutcliff.and others T'he greatest excitement prevails in the district over the matter, as this is the only season of the year at which roads can be made passable for selectors, and if a prompt settlement is not arrived at many of them will be absolutely ruined, being unable to send their-’produce to market. It was unanimously decided that a public meeting of ratepayers should bewailed throughout thft municipality, with a view of drawing up a petition, and submitting the matter to the Minister of Public Works for bis decision.