LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Town Counncil was held in the Council Chambers on Monday evening. The Mayor took the chair at eight o'clock. Crs. Hill, Hay, Hayes, Armstrong, Mears, and the Town Clerk were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The only correspondence received was a letter from Mr. John Copland, solicitor, to the Mayor, stating that he would be present at the Council meeting "to talk with them definitely with regard to the loan." A most desultory discussion then took place, occupying close upon an hour, upon the question of the loan, and the action of the Finance Committee thereanent, the matter haviug been entirely left with that committee to deal with. The irregular discussion seemed to be caused by the Finance Committee not bringing forward a report of their proceedings. The Mayor explained that the business in connection with the loan had been referred by Mr. Harrop to Mr. Copland to have it completed, and the Finance Committee had been doing their utmost to arrive at a satisfactory settlement of it, but that gentleman had raised certain objections which he wished answered, before the transaction could be completed. Mr. Copland wished to be iuformed what authority the Corporation had for borrow- | ing. He (the Mayor) had telegraphed to Mr. Bastings, who replied that the Council were empowered to borrow LIO,OOO. He had waited till the very last moment to receive a definite reply from Mr. Copland, and the letter before the Council was the result. He observed Mr. CopJand present, and if the Council wished to hear what he had to say in regard to the

matter, he would thank some gentleman to move that he be permitted to speak. Cr. Hayes saw no necessity for losing time. The Council had expressed its willingness to accept Mr. Harrop's offer, and it was for Mr. Copland to Bay if he was agreeable to complete the transaction. To bring the matter to a focus, he would move, " That if Mr. Harrop objects to close with the Council on the terms proposed by them in the resolution of the Finance Committee within forty- eight hours, the negotiations with him shall be considered terminated." The resolution referred to was as follows :—": — " That Mr. Harr op's offer of L2OOO be accepted, but that the Council will be at no further expense than 1 per cent, commission on the transaction." Cr. Armstrong seconded the motion. He thought the Council should utterly ignore any second party interfering with the business. In the face of Mr. Copland's letter to the Council, he could not consider the Council justified in accepting the offer. The letter referred to stated that the Municipal Corporations Act, 1865, expressly stipulates that assignment shall be by deed under the seal and at the expense of the Corporation, and as aolicitor for the lender he had no authority to waive the law on the subject above quoted. Cr. Hay moved an amendment, ''That the whole matter be referred back to the Finance Committee." It would be far better to adopt this course than keep haggling at it as the Council were doing. Cr. Hill, in referring to Mr. Copland's letter, said that the Council were in possession of properly drawn up deeds, so that the Corporation would not be put to any extra expense. Cr. Mean, after drawing the Mayor's attention to the clauae in the standing orders to the effect that Councillors shall be allowed to speak once only upon a resolution, said he quite agreed with Cr. Hayes' motion, although he thought it might have saved some trouble had the Finance Committee sent in a report. With regard to the legal aspect of the question, the Council had a solicitor of their own, who could be consulted if it was thought necessary. The business appeared to be transacted in a very roundabout way. He submitted that any business men could in half the time and on less security have completed the transaction. The Council, he considered, were just making themselves rediculous in the eyes of the public by all this hubbub about a paltry loan of £2,000. The motion was then put and carried.