BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3944, 21 October 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Burgess List-

A special meeting of the Masterton Borough Council was held in the Chambers last evening to consider the application of ratepayers to be placed on the Burgesß roll. There were present His Worship the Mayor and Crs Perry, Feist, T. Chamberlain, Mutrie, Dixon, Fessey and Heron.

The requisition calling the meeting was read.

Or Feist, as one of the requisition •• ists, ptated that certain councillors had been dissatisfied with the names submitted to the last meeting. He thought the whole of the applications before the Council should now be considered.

The Mayor: It will be necessary to rescind the resolution now on the minute book before discussing the applications made at last meeting. Or Gapper said his reason for signing the requisition wa3 that the Clerk had declined at last meeting to accept the responsibility of putting the names on the roll. Cr Dixon: I will move that the previous resolution passed be rescinded. Cr Perry : I'll second that.

The Mayor : It will he necessary to give seven days' notice before rescinding the resolution. Cr Feist: Can the Clerk read over tho names of those placed on the roll ?

The Mayor : I haye no objection to that.

The Clerk : I have inquired from the various applicants whether the statements made by them are correct, and in all cases excepting two I have found them to be so. (Hear, hear). In these two cases the applicants live out of the Borough. The Mayor : Then that deals with this question.

Cr Dixon : I see that several properties have been cut up and the votes divided. Ido not know whether this is fair.

The Mayor : It is better to have six persons responsible for rates than one. Cr Heron : Hear, hear. The Mayor : There is now the question of the new applications. I do not think we can deal with them. I consider they come under the head' ing of ordinary business. Cr wrapper : In face of the ruling of your Worship at last meeting that the Burgess List be closed, I will move that the present applications be not considered.

Cr Feist explained his action in the matter. He had taken legal advice aud believed the Council was quite in order in considering fresh applications. He would abide by the ruling of the Mayor. At the same time he would ask that a special meeting be called to consider the applications now made. Cr Heron seconded Cr Capper's resolution.

The Mayor: We can, according to the requisition, consider the applications made at the last meeting only. Cr Dixon : But the requisition did not specify any particular applications.

Tho Mayor: These applications are not before the Couucil yet. Cr Hessey thought the names submitted at the last meeting had the appearance of stuffing the roll. He did not, however, think they should consider new applications at this meeting,

The Mayor: lam prepared to call a special meeting to consider the applications.

Cr Gapper said that when signing the requisition he did not oontemplate the consideration of new applications, The Mayer: I must rule the consideration of the new applications out of order.

Cr Feist: Can a special meeting be called at to«night's meeting by giving notice to Councillors ? Cr Heron could not see what benefit could be derived by calling a special meeting. The fight would be niade a party one, and the town would be canvassed on both sides for fresh names.

The Mayor: Supposing a special meeting is called, it will then rest with the Council to decide whether the business is extraordinary or not. In my opinion it is not. Cr Feist was quite prepared to abide by the decision of the Council. To test the feeling of the meeting he would move, that it is desirable that a special meeting be called to consider thoapplications lodged with the Clerk. Cr Dixon seconded.

Cr Heron opposed the resolution. The other side would probably get fresh names, and another special meeting would be called. Tie thought the matter would only stir up party strife,

Cr Feist thought the Council should afford every ratepayer facilities for voting. After further dissussion the resolution was put and lost on division. The ayes were Cra Feist and Dixon, and the noes the Mayor and Crs Heron, Hossey, Mutrie, Chamberlain, Gapper and Perry.

Cr Feist: I will move that a Committee be appointed to consider the applications now in the hands of the Clerk, and if satisfactory ulaoe them on the roll,

The Mayor : I cannot accept this resolut.on. It is out ot order and is only a side wind. The business of the meeting is now finished.

The meeting then adjourned