Thames County Council.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2603, 12 May 1877, Page 2

Thames County Council.

CONCLUSION OF EoEPOBT. ,

THE SOLD DUTY.

The following letter from the Borough was received just as the;; Chairman was announcing the business concluded, but there beiDg no opposition to its being considered the Chairman 'read it:— "Council Chambers, Thames,.l'ltli May. —Chairman County. Council.—Sir,—l have the, honor, in, accordance with;a resolution passed by the Council of the Borough .of Thames at: its sitting last night, to apply for. a cheque for the amount of the gold duty and goldfields revenue due to the Council as per memorandum, signed by Mr Bagnall on behalf of the County Council and by Mr Benshaw on behalf of the; Borough.Council, dated 4th May, viz., £147 14s lid, being at the rate of £16 5s 5d per £100 on a sum of £908 Osv 7d>rl have, &e:i IV C, Dean, Town Clerks"

Mr Mitchell objected to any portion of the gold duty being handed over to the Borough, as the matter had not been settled by the Government; .- - ]\ ; Mr Bagnall explained that an agreement had been entered into between the County and the Borough that the propor-r tion due to the latter should be handed over. ...' ."•.'.:• ' '■' .■■■ '• . ■ ■ . :

Mr Mitchell said he had. never heard of such an .arrangement being entered into, and he decidedly objected to any money being given to the Borough. He considered it a piece: of impertinence to send such a letter; a piece of .gross impertinence on behalf of the Clerk of the Borough Council. He concluded by mpvr. ing that the matter be taken into consideration at the next meeting, and that in the meantime no money" be paid to the Borough.

Mr Bagnall in"reply said it was beneath the dignity of the Council to allow any | such statements to ; be made by any memof the Council of another governing body, and he would not allow them to go unchallenged. ...-- The mojtion was about being put when Kir Mitchell objected to the last portion of; his motion being lefty, outy; withoufctheChairman giving a guarantee that no .money should be paid', .; :■ This, gave rise to an alte/cation between Mr Bagnall and the speaker. Mr. Mitchell farther said that if the pledge was not given, he would :nove that the standing orders^be suspended to allow him to move " That the Treasurer be instructed not to pay said money to the Borough!" The Chairman in explanation admitted "that Toy law the Borough had no right to receive any of the gold revenue, but that in all fairness that body should at least receive the duty collected wifcbin its limits. An agreement had been signed by the Committee appointed by each body, to adjust the matter of the gold duty, but the Government had not yet, he believed, signed them, thereby agreeing to the arrangement. He agreed with Mr Mitchell that they were not called upon to refund any of the amount to the Borough, and thought the best eoursewas to refer the matter to the Finance Committee. After some further remarks the motion of Mr Mitchell was carried, with the understanding that the amount at present claimed should not in the meantime be; handed over. This concluded the business.