TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 95, 4 December 1869, Page 3

TOWN COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the Town Council, was held on Monday evening. Present: The Mayor and Crs. Coverlid, Walker, Harrop, Mears, and Henry. A letter from James Eeddie and Co. was read, asking permission to divert the storm channel for mining purposes. The applicants guaranteed to leave everything as they found it, and offered to make a suitable deposit. The letter was referred to the Public Works Committee. , An offer from Mr M'Keay, to draw j up all the leases required for the recently let municipal sections, for the sum of £46, was referred to the Legislative Committee. One months' additional time was granted to John Downey for completing liis contract for formation of footpath. Two letters from the Land and I Works Office were read and received. One stated that the vote for the improvement of Eoss Place was not sufficient to allow of its being pitched and gravelled. The G-overnment would, however, expend the money to the best advantage. The other anI nounced that tenders would be immediately called for the erection of a foot-bridge over the Gabriel's creek. The following letter from the Town Clerk was then read :— - j Lawrence, Nov. 4, 1869. To the members of the Lawrence Town Council. GENTLEMEN", — On entering the minutes of last fortnightly meeting, I observed a motion of Cr. Mears to the effect that I must either withdraw the remarks made by me in reference to the memorial of the Cemetery Committee, or resign my position as Town Clerk. As the remarks alluded to were made by me with a firm conviction of their truthfulness, but without the most remote intention on my part of giving the slightest offence to any member of the Council, I cannot possibly withdraw what I have spoken, however much I may regret that I should have given offence. I am, &c, (Signed) Wm. Hayes. The letter was received. As Cr. Keen persisted in his refusal to act as a member of the Council, notice was given that at next meeting a motion to rescind the resolution, refusing to accept his resignation, would be brought forward. The Mayor agreed to make a call of the members in accordance with the ordinance on that occasion. Cr. Coverlid was elected a member of the Finance Committee vice Cr. Keen, who declined to act. Cr. Walker moved that tenders should be called for gravelling Kil-marnock-street, for the formation of about two chains of Stranraer-street, and for cutting about 3 feet from the top of the Cemetery Hill. He estimated the expense at about £30. Cr. Harrop seconded. Carried. It was also agreed to employ a man to clear the drains in front of Mr Meyers store, and of the Shamrock Hotel. • The Town Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Nichol, calling upon him to proceed with his contract for repairing foot-paths. I Cr. Mears said that as he had introduced the motion calling upon Mr. Hayes either to withdraw the expres(sions used by him, or to resign bis office as Town Clerk, he felt bound to request that the Council should deliberate on the letter received from Mr. Hayes. » Mr. Hayes having retired, the letter was again read. j Cr Walker did not consider it a sufficient apology. Cr. Mears expressed at some length his objection to being stigmatized as a liar. The Mayor thought all the Council had to do was either to accept the apology, or to request the Town Clerk to resign. For his own part he considered that the Town Clerk had not meant to reflect on the character of the members of the Council. An accusation of mis-statement was not equivalent to one of deliberate falsehood, and he thought none of them would wish to have had Mr. Hayes appealing before them with an abject apology instead of the frank and manly expression of regret they had received.

Cr, Coverlid moved that the letter be not received as a sufficient apologyCr. Mears said the Council was the jest of people in town. He tad been chaffed himself because the Town Clerk was .allowed to call them, a lot of liars.

Cf. Henry reviewed the history of the Cemetery agitation. He expressed his indignation at the action of the Councillor who had taken the lead in the matter, who now, when the battle was at the hottest, saw fit to show the "white-feather" and resign. The language used by the Town Clerk he considered wrong in the extreme ; but, seeing that the principal propounder of the statements in the memorial did, not come forward to substantiate them, he thought if Mr. Hayes withdrew the words "vile falsehoods" they might accept his apology without loss of dignity. Cr. Harrop agreed with the remarks of Cr. Henry. He considered it a piece of cowardice to back out at such a time.

The motion was put and carried, a»d the meeting adjourned,