LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 138, 29 September 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL

An adjourned meeting of the Council was held on Friday evening last to consider the assessment, and appoint a Town Clerk in the room of Win. Hayes (resigned). AH the councillors were present. ASSESSMENT. The Mayor remarked that the Council had been adjourned to that evening so that a full meeting of the Council might have the opportunity of taking the assessment iv to consideration, and all the councillors had before discussed it excepting Cr. Coverlid. Cr. Coverlid said he had seen enough of it to know that he was not satisfied with it. The Mayor stated for the information of Cr. Coverlid that the assessment roll had been seat back to the assessor, and returned by him with an intimation that his revision of jt was final. The Council, as a matter of course, had power to dismiss the assessor, but whether he would have power to recover any sum from the Council would require to be settled by a court of law . As far as his (the Mayor's) reading of the ordinance went, he did not

think for a moment the assessor could recover anything. Cr. Coverlid wanted to know if the Council had any power to alter the assessment, on which The Mayor read the 85th clause of the Ordinance, which showed the only power the Council have, was, in cases, purely of clerical error. The Mayor continued by stating that it had been rumoured the assessment was very high ; granted, another assessment, if the Council called for it, might be too low. He quite agreed with what had been said about the assessment being very unsatisfactory. Cr. Williams, not to lose time, said he would move that the assessment roll be allowed. Cr. Barnett seconded. The Mayor here remarked that he would feel obliged if councillors would stand while addressing the chair, not that he cared personally, but it was a mark of respect due to the chairman ; besides he al ways looked upon the formalities of these council meetings as stepping stones to higher tilings ; who knew but gentlemen sitting at that council board might occupy the position of members of the House of Representatives. Or. Mears moved as an amendment that the roll be sent back to the assessor. Cr. Williams and other councillors were afraid as soon as a little law was shaken in their faces ; they would rather swallow the aasjssment, bad as it is, than fight the batile manfully. Supposing a law case were to come out of it, the Council would only have to take the defensive, and they would be partly backed up by the Municipal Ordinance. Jf they hctd not the courage to do what they conscientiously believed, they had no right to be at that Council board. They all admitted the assessment was bad, and yet had nothing to say in favour of its being allowed but the argument of expediency — the avoiding of the cost of a law suit. He considered the Council had power to disallow it. There was no grumbling at the amount of the assessment in any case taken by itself ; but at the comparative assjssment wnicli showed a great excess in some cases against a deficiency in others. Cr. Coverlid seconded, and agreed entirely with Cr. Mears. Ratepayers, by appealing, may get their assessment lowered, but it would be a difficult job to get the low ones raised. Cr. Ureu concurred with the previous speakers. If the as&essment was wrong and allowed by them, the only remedy was for the ratepayer to appeal. He considered it their duty to tight the battle, and not the poor ratepayer. The amendment, which read as follows, was then carried by three against two :—: — " That it is the opinion of this Council that the assessment made by Mr. Keen is unjust towards the body of the ratepayers, and cannot allow the same, and Mr. Keen must reassess the property in Lawrence, or another assessor will be appointed." Carried. The Town Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Keen, enclosing a copy of the resolution as passed. APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CLERK. The Mayor read the three applications which had been lodged in reply to the advertisement, which he read at tho previous meeting of Council. In addition to the testimonials read before, he had received one from Mr. Mount, testifying to the ability and suitableness of Mr. Cowie for the office. The applications were from Archibald Cawie, J. C. Love, and L. C. Holmes. Cr. Mears proposed Mr. Holmes, and spoke very favourably of him as in every way suited for the office. Cr. Harrop seconded. Cr. Coverlid proposed Mr. Love, having known him long, and feeling confident he would admirably suit the appointment. Cr. Williams seconded. Cr. Harrop, to give all a chance, would propose Mr. Cowie. Cr. Uren, in seconding the proposition, said he believed M.r. Cowie was a " new chum," and he thought it but right to give him a chance. The election was then made by ballot, and resulted iv the six vote 3 being recorded in favour of Mr. Holmes, who was then declared unanimously elected. The Mayor stated he still adhered to the advisability of having security from a guarantee society. The rate charged by these societies whs less than he expected. When a person is highly recommended, as Mr. Holmes would be, the amount required was only about 308. He only regretted that their old Town Clerk was leaving them, and trusted that what he would lose pecuniarily by the change would be made up at something else. He testified to the good feeling shown by all the councillors towards Mr. Hayes, and their united wish for his success and happiness in all his undertakings. lie felt iv seeing an old servant leaving them that it was time he was giving up his office as mayor The following vote of thanks was then passed :—": — " That the newly elected Town Clerk be instructed to write to Mr. Hayes, the late Town Clerk, expressing the satisfaction of the Council at the manner in which he discharged the duties appertaining to his office during the long terra he held the same, and regretting that circumstances have arisen which caused him to decline a f uri-her appointment, and that the Council wish him every prosperity in his future career." Mr. Hayes said they all knew he was not much of a speaker, but he must express himself by saying that he felt extremely gratified at the kindly way in which his past services had been referred to, and their well-wishes for his happiness. TUAPEKA RAILWAY AND WATER SUPPLY PJiOGBESS COMMITTEE. The Committee met in the Athenaeum on Friday afternoon. Present — Messrs. Morrison, Harrop, Cormack, M'Swiney, Mount, and Gooday (hon. sec.) Mr. Harrop was called to the chair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CO RRESPOJTDENCE . A letter was read from the Rev. Dr. Copland in reply to the Committee's invitation to him to join them. The rev. gentleman stated that while he heartily concurred with the objects the Committee had in view, he felt precluded from taking any active part in the business, owing to a pressure of official duties. In reply to the communication ad-

dressed by the secretary to the Colonial Treasurer, the following letter was read : —