SPECIAL MEETING.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3785, 14 February 1881, Page 2

SPECIAL MEETING.

The members of the Council met this morning for the purpose of electing two representatives to the Harbour Board. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Crs Speight, Marshall, Veile, Bawden, MeGowan, Mennie, Wilson, and Osborne.

Or Osborne proposed that Crs McGowan and Wilson should be the representatives. Reviewing the past work of thn Harbour Board, he said that when thy past Board went into office they were heavily handicapped with a large overdraft, which they had considerably decreased. He said he considered Crs McGowan and Wilson had worked well in the interests of the town, and thought that they were the fittest men to represent it. He did not think it wise to have two members from one particular part.

Cr Speight thought there should be a nominaton, and that the South Ward should be represented, and proposed that Cr Veale be elected as a member. He proposed that gentleman.

Cr McGowan refused to act and asked his proposer and seconder, Crs Osborne and Marshall, to allow him to withdraw but this they refused to do.

Cr Speight moved, and Cr Wilson seconded the nomination of Cr Marshall as a representative of the Borough on the Harbour Board.

The Mayor proposed Cr Osborne. Cr Mennie seconded.

The Mayor proposed a ballot,

Crs Osborne and McGowan contended for open voting, and when the ballot papers were handed round Cr McGowan refused to vote.

The numbers were — Marshall, 4; Veale, Wilson, and McGowan 3 each.

Cr McGowan again refused to act, but fresh ballot papers were sent out for the three equals.

Both Crs McGowan and Osborne did not vote this time, the result being that Cr McGowan had three votes, Veale three votes, and Wilson one vote.

The Mayor, not exercising his casting vote, gave out fresh voting papers, and said that any Councillor not voting would be fined £5 (roars).

Cr Osborne then contended that the whole of the proceedings were illegal. The Mayor then called upon Cr McGowan to vote, but that gantleman refused, saying he had already voted.

The same stand was made by Cr Osborne.

The last time the ballot papars were sent, the result was—McGowan, 4; Veale, 2.

The Mayor declared he would fine Crs Osborne and McGowan Is for refusißg to vote. (Laughter.)

Cr Osborne drew attention to the fact that if there was any fine its amount and distribution would rest with the Council.