GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 103, 11 December 1878, Page 2

GERALDINE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The newly-elected Council hold their first meeting yesterday in the Road Board Office, Temuka. Present : Messrs A cton, Tripp, Wilson, Mendelson. Mclntosh, and Hardcastle. Mr Postlethwaite. the late chairman and clerk was also present. Mr Postlethwaite, as clerk to the late Council, explained the calling of meeting according to a requisition signed by Messrs Wilson, Mendelson, and Hardcastle- He then delivered up the papers relating to the Council’s business in his possession.

On the motion of Mr ACTON, seconded by Mr McINTOSH, Mr Mendelson temporarily took the chair. Mr ACTON propo*ed, and Mr Tripp seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Postlethwaite in recognition of his services, To the county as chairman and clerk. The resolution was carried^W^'

animously. Mr TRIPP proposed, and Mr HAR.DCASI'LE seconded, “ That Mr Alexander Wilson be Chairman of the Council.

Mr MENDELSON interrupted the proceedings at this stage by questioning that tne meeting was competent to proceed with any business as there were not'six members besides the Chairman present. Mr J. W. White, solicitor, being present, was asked to give an opinion on’ this point. He said the meeting was properly constituted in that respect, and might proceed with any business. Mr ACTON proposed as:an amendment to Mr Tripp’s motion, and Mr McINTOSH

seconded, “ That Mr Julius Mendels- >m i-e elected Chairman of the Geraldine County onncil.” . Mr WILSON proposed that Mr I npp ,be Chairman, but found no seconder. '" The amendment was lost by 3to 2. and ' the first proposition carried by 3 to 2. Mr WILSON then took the- chair, and thanked the members for the honor they had done him. He should strive to do right while he occupied the position of Chairman, and if at any time lie found that ho was net-giving complete satisfac . tioh he would not continue to hold the office. . . The question of appointing a clerk was then considered. MR TRIPP said it was too much to expect any member to act as clerk. The county was an important one, and the Council ought to have a paid clerk. Some discussion took place as to the manner in which the clerk should be appointed, it was suggested that applications for the office be invited, applicants to state what salary they would require. This plan was shown to be impracticable, because no one could estimate the amount of work to be done. Mr Tripp stated that a certain person living in Geraldine had offered to devote two days a month to the work of the office for LSO a-year. It was admitted that the fact of the person living twelve miles from the Chairman was a sufficient bar to his being appointed. ‘ Ultimately MR ACTON proposed, Mr Hardcastle seconded, and it was carried, “That-MrWr Wills be appointed clerk to’ this. Council - at a salary of L 5 per month, until the extent of his duties are ascertained, subject to one month s notice.” . , ~ , r . MR ACTON proposed, and Mr Mendelson seconded, “ That the Chairman be .requested, in accordance with section 2 of the c Counties Amendment Act, 1877/ to call the Council together on the 31stDecember, at 11 a.m., for the purpose of bringing the whole of the Counties Act into force in this county. ’’ Carried unanimously. MR McINTOSH suggested that theCouncil should proceed to appoint _ a solicitor. A considerable discussion thereupon took place as to the power of the Council to do so. MR ACTON said it was of great consequence that the Chairman should be able to obtain legal advice that would be satisfactory to the Council. MR MENDELSON was certain that it was not in the power of the Council to appoint a solicitor until after the Act had been brought into force. The general impression was that the Council had the , necessary power.- The matter was deferred, Mr Acton mentioning that among the papers of the Council would be found letters from solicitors asking for the appointment. These letteis should -be referred to before the appointment was made.

MR McINTOSH "then proposed, and Mr Tripp seconded, “ That the Chairman be empowered to consult a solicitor should tie require Jidvice.” The passing of this resolution ferminaed the proceedings.