THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 232, 20 June 1866, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

We may fairly infer from the following letters, which have been obligingly placed at our disposal by Mr Prosser, that with tho election of Mr Moorhouse to the Superintendency tho reign of rod-tapism, from which this district has suffered so severely, has come to an end. It appears that, on the receipt of the notice forwarded by Mr Prosser, convening a meeting of electors for the nomination of candidates to serve in the Municipal Council of Ilokitika, an informality was discovered by the Provincial Secretary, which, if not rectified, would have invalidated the whole proceedings. The name of one qualified person was wanting to mako up the legal ten signatures, and the fact was notified to Mr Prosser .JßutJon tho following day a letter was dated, intimating that means had been devised to obviate the necessity of referring the matter back to Ilokitika, and thus causiug a vexatious delay. The trouble was taken to secure an additional signature in Christchurch, so as to render the notice valid. It will be seen that Mr Sale has been appointed to preside at the meeting of electors. Provincial Secretary's Office,

13th .Tune, 1866. S'r, — I am directed by His Honor the Superintendent, to ackowledge the receipt of the notice forwarded by you on the 6th instant, under the 6th clause of the " Municipal Council Ordinance," purporting to be signed by ten of the householders who had signed tho petition praying for the constitution of a Municipal district, as required by the said ordinance. In reply I am directed to inform you that, as nine only of tho nameß attached appear on the original petition, the tenth, that of Win, Swauson, not being on the petition, his Honor regrets that he cannot comply with your request as to issuing the notice in the 41 Gazette us provided by the ordinance. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. E. Stkwaut, Provincial Secretary. E. Prossor, Esq., Ilokitika. Provincial Secretary's Office, Christchurch, 14th Juno, 1866. Sib, — I have the honor to inform you that I have obtained the signature of Messrs Ilawkes and Strouts to the notice forwarded by you under tho " Municipal Council Ordinance," convening a meeting for tlil election of Councillors, in tho place of that of Wm. Swanson, whose namo was on the original petition. I enclose a copy of the Gazctto containing the notice, which will require to te reinserted in the newspapers. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. E. Stewabt, Provincial Secretary. E. IVosser, Esq., Ilokitika.

Provincial Secrfctary's (Office, Cliristchurch, 14th Juno, 1866. Sib. — I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt to-day of two letters from you, dated the 6th instant, and in reply to inform you that His Honor the Superintendent has been pleased to appoint G. S. Sale Esq., to be Chairman at the, meeting to be held, under Clause 8 of the "Municipal Council Ordinance." I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. E. Stewabt, Provincial Secretary. E. Prosper, Esq., Ilokitika.