AN EXPLANATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2614, 13 April 1889, Page 2

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THK KDITOK. Sik,—ln yom- issue of tho lit!) instant a report of the proceedings of a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council held on the '.Itli instant appears. At this mooting Crs. Salmon, Wood, and myself are reported to have voted against the payment of Mr O'.\eiH's account for the professional services of Mr Cotter and himself in Lees' case against the Borough. Th nigh this is strictly true, still without an explanation to the burgesses and outside public we would appear obstructionists, and impeding the legitimate proceedings of the Council. I would, therefore, beg to oxplain when Cr. Knox proposed that the several accounts which were read be passed for payment, seconded by Cr. von Sturn.er, Mr O'Neill's account for £37 odd being included, this liability having been incurred without ever being submitted to a meeting of the Council or the scratch of a p«n in the Council's minute book to authorize tho expenditure, I moved as an amendment " That this account being unauthorised expenditure it be not paid ;" not objecting, at the same time, to the other accounts included in Cr. Knox's motion being paid. Cr Knox on this appealed to the Mayor to object to my amendment on the ground of its being a direct negative to his motion, which view was sustained by the Mayor who ruled, accordingly, thereby preventing my amendment being recorded, which would have explained our action in tho matter, When my amendment negatived only one account out of the several read, I leave tho public to judtre as to the justice of the Mayor's ruling in this case and the object sought to be obtained. —I remain, yours etc., William Jones. Hamilton, April 12th, 1889.