Special Meetings.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5224, 15 October 1885, Page 2

Special Meetings.

ELECTION OF CHARITABLE AID

REPRESENTATIVES.

Special meetings of the Thames Borough and County Councils were held to»day at the hours of eleven and . twelve o'clock respectively for the purpose of selecting representatives of the two bodies to act on the Thames, Ohinemuri, and Fiako Hospital and Charitable Aid District Board. ; BoBOUGH. , There were present His Worship the Mayor presiding, and Crs Bawden, Danby, McAndrew, McGowao, Radford, Reid, Renshaw, Wilson and Wood. The Mayor proposed Councillor Ren* shaw as the most suitable member of the body for the position, and as a recognition of his long continued services on behalf j of the Hospital. Councillor Danby pro* posed Councillor McGowan, bat the latter gentleman declined to stand in opposition to Councillor Renshaw, who he considered was eminently qualified from his intimate connection with the Hospital and as deserving such a' recognition of bis untiring zeal on its behalf. By permission of the Council, Councillor Danby's proposition was withdrawn.—Councillor Renshaw was elected without any opposition.—Councillor Renshaw stated that he was fully aware in accepting the position to which he had just been elected he was undertaking a heavy and a responsible work, but he hoped with the support and aid of the Council, he would be able to perform his duty in endeavoring to carry out the objects of the new Act. The meeting of the new Hospital District Board was then announced to be held in the Borough Chambers on the sth November next at 2 p.m., at which Councillor Renshaw will preside. There were no appeals against the foot* way rate, and it was confirmed.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

County.

The attendance was—Crsßrodie (Chairman), Greenville, Murdoch, Pitkethley, Steedman, and Townsend. *'

The Chairman read the circular an* nouncing the necessity of holding the meeting and fixing its date, and asked the Council to nominate one of its number, or any other person, to represent the County on the Charitable Aid Board.

Cr Fitketbley proposed, and Cr Townsend seconded, that Cr Murdoch represent the Council in the new body.

Cr Steedman proposed that Cr Green* ville be selected, and referred to that gentleman's connection with the miners and experience in hospital matters. The Chairman apologised for the absence of Cr Coutts, whose duties caused his presence in Auckland, and as requested by Cr Coutts he seconded Cr Greenville's nomination. -

Cr Murdoch explained that he was not aware before he entered the room that he would be nominated, but if the Council elected him he would do his best on their behalf.

Cr Fitkethley wished to tell the meeting that he had not consulted Cr Murdoch before nominating him. The Chairman called for a show of hands for each proposal with the following result.—EW- Gv ■—SffardochV nomtUttlioD, Crs Pitkethley and Townsend ; for Cr Greenville's Crs Brodie and Steedman. The Chairman gave his casting Tote in favor of Cr Greenville who was then declared duly elected.

A letter written by Mr A. Cassrells, of Ohinemuri, to Sir Julius Yogel, a copy of which was forwarded to the Council and read at.its last meeting, and was then referred to the County Engineer and Clerk and Treasurer to report upon. The letter was to the following effect:—(l) that the public works carried out in the riding were systematically scamped—in one instance the removal .of a portion of the road bad exposed a deficiency of 60 per cent, in a contract, while even more flagrant breaches could be proved; (2) that the petitioners were convinced that the district revenue and Government grants were misappropriated ; (3) that the exist ing system was far too costly, nearly £3000 being required annually for travelling expenses and salaries; and (4) that they were convinced that all the requirements of the district could be fulfilled with a staff costing £200 per annum.

Mr Aitken, County Engineer, reported : —'• Ec Asher Cassi ells letter to Sir Julius Yogel.—Clause No. 1: The statement is untrue, but if the writer will give specific details of any particular case or cases, I will answer them. His charges are too general to admit a reply." Mr Hollis, County Clerk, reported s — "Re Asher Cassrells letter to Sir J. Yogel: Clause 2 is absolutely false. Clause 3; A gross exaggeration. The total cost of salaries and travelling expenses of the staff amounted in 1881 to £1130 14s Bd, and in 18S5 to £1238 10s 6d. In both instances the travelling expenses included all payments to Councillors."

Cr Townsend moved that copies of the reports be sent to Government. He thought that the County Solicitor should be consulted as to whether some action could not be taken against Mr Cassrells for his miaroppeseatatioDS.

Or Greenville moved that they be forwarded to Government, with an expre;* sion of opinion that the assertions made are too contemptible to be taken notice of. The Council should not go to law over suph $ man as the writer. The Chairman would forward a letter covering the reports.

Or Steedman seconded this, and it was earned.

The meeting then rose.