ALEXANDRA TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 79, 14 August 1869, Page 3

ALEXANDRA TOWN COUNCIL.

We received tho following report last week, but as we also received a report of tha Council from our own Correspondent, we gave it the preference. As the latter report has not, however, altogether mot the wishes of some of our Alexandra readers, we gladly find a place for tJieir side of the question. On Friday, 30th July, the Alexandra Town Council held their first meeting since tho elections. Present : B. Pinlay, \ j Esq., Mayor, and a full Council. The ! first business was a petition from Messrs. i ! Chappel and Evans, who presented it in ! person. It set forth that tho Town Cleric j had taken upon himself tho responsibility | of valuing and rating properties without I the sanction of tho Council, or anything respecting the same appearing on the minutes of tho proceedings of the Council; also, complained that the Town Clerk had recorded his vote at the election for Mayor, and claiming his right of doing the same as occupying municipal property^ viz., the anti-room attached to tho Council Chambers. Mr. Chappel said, in presenting the petition, the reason no more signatures appeared on the petition was that; they wished it to be presented in as gimplo " a form as possible, and said thai sovoral- | parties wished to attach their names, but were refused, as lie considered two raie- ', payers had a perfect right to represent any grievance they may have to thy Council ; and the only thing asked for was an enquiry into the matter complained of. The Mayor, in reply, said that tho petition should have the Council's best attention, and that they had a perfect right to represent their complaints to tho Council. Town Clerk then read correspondence : — A letter from Mr. Cameron,* asking to be allowed to erect lamp-post, &c, outside his licensed house in Talbert-stroet.— Granted. A letter from Mr. R. Stewart, asking for a lease of two sections opposite the school, for five yeara. -Adjourned. The Mayor then read two letters, the first from the Hon. Secretary of the Library Committee, with the sanction of said Committee, asking to erect an antiroom at rear of Council Chambers; the second from Charle3 Hillhouse, protesting against the election of R. Finlay, Esq., as Mayor, on the ground that the polling booth was not open on the day of election for recording votes until after the time prescribed by law. Immediately the letter was read, Cr. Beresford (who was Returning Officer) moved that the letter be not received, which was seconded by Cr. Theyera. Crs. Jack and Hillhoase protested against the course taken by the mover and seconder of the motion, and moved an amendment, " That the letter be received." The motion was carried by a silent vote from the chair. Petition from ratepayers was nest read. Cr. Beresford moved that the petition lay on the table during the Council's pleasure, which was seconded by Cr. Theyera. The mover of the resolution was heard to mumble something to the effect that the petition was not worded respectfully, and that the Council was the best judge of its own doings. The Mayor pressed the move* and

seconder to withdraw their motion, and said he thought the petition was respectfully worded, and that he had in the name of the Council just promised those that presented it that it should have, their best consideration"; but they could not bepre- . vailed on to withdraw. • ■ Cr.' Jack said 1 - He" thought the petition -should be .entertained. -and that the Town Clerk had* valued and rated the? properties named in" the "petition for the purpose of securing two votes, and that it was done ! without -the sanction of the Council.

The Mayor explained that the Town. Clerk had the tacit consent of the Council for what he, .had done, and that it waa unfortunate that it did not appear -in the minutes of the proceedings of the Council.' Cr. Jack went on to explain that tho Council paid two valuators for doing that work, and the year previous the Town Clerk receiyed instructions to notify them that certain properties had bpen erected since their valuation was sent in, • and requested ihat they /would' .yalue tho same, which was done ; and he wishod to be informed why that course was departed from this year. He could only say that he was never consulted in th r e nsatter^ and considered the action taken by tho Town Clerk illegal. Respecting tho second part of the 1 petition, he couuidered the Town Clerk had no right to vote at elections on account "of his occupyizig the anti-room attached to the Council Chambers. The anteroom vtai built, no doubt, for the Town Clerk's convenience, and it was never the intention of the Couucil to take rent ox }$?y, rates on tb.9 same, and considered that' the Town Clerk" had maao a false statement in answering the question (before receiving- lus voting paper) contained in section 'Sf oi the Otago Municipal Ordinance, whereupon the Town Clerk jumped from his seat and struck Cr. Jack in the face with, hia fist. Tho Mayor was. the first , to 'interfere.; - 'Us caught the Town Clerk, and with some difficulty kept - him off Cr. Jack. The blood flowed freely from Cr. Jock's noae for some time, and the floor of the Council Chamber,- 1- believe, haQ it-3 -'firjsb eoai of paint in tho shape o£ blood. Order being restored, the Mayor, from, the chair, aaid that the opposition to him ail through was disgraceful and scandalous, and that Cr. Hillhouse made an exhibition of himself on the clay of election. Cr . Hillhous© then said La pleaded guilty to having taken a drop too much on- that clay, bui that everything he said was true, and .those that lived in glass houses should not throw stones. Cr. Beresford said tho assault on Cr. _Jack by the Town Clerk served him rigfit. "The Town Clerk said he had no objection to the petition being taken up and discussed, 'but -that' tho standing orders- would not allow it, as notice must be given. Tho Council then went .into a discussion respecting iinpjroving Swanwick-street, and so endsd a noisy and disgraceful meeting.