MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume VIII, Issue 334, 7 August 1883, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

YESTERDAY. The Council met nt »ioon yesterday. Present — Crs Koekstrow, Tliynne, Sanson. M'fier ian, Gibson, M'Fonzie, rTadfield, Davis, ana Bailey. O Uockstrow took tin chair, and enlWl uivn fHo ConnpiJ t> elect a ' Chnir mri. Cr Thymie p-oposnd Cr "Rookstrow :is Ch:iinrrHi, and m doing so sftid he '< hou^'if if"- wonM hn heater that Cr Rock.s! row -houH be re-elected, he luring acquainted with the several schemes introduced. Cr Gibson briefly seconded the motion. Cr San son proposed as an amendment that Cr Thynne be elected Chairman. Cr M'Lenunn seconded the araendmenv.' Cr Had field said that between Cv^i Rocksti'ow's frown and Cr Thynne's^i smile he was m this position, i{ How happy could 1 be with either, with, t'other dear charmer away." He thought however that Cr Rockstrow's e'aims* to the Chairmanship with very great, and that he should be enabled to carry out the schemes he had initiated. He would vote for Cr Eookstrow. Cr M'Lennan said he would Blipport Cr San son's proposal. It wast advisable to have a change. He did not believe m one man being m an, office too long. He thought Ct Thynne would make a better Chair-* man than they had had. At any rate they might try. If the p.-esenfc Chairman had got everything at his' fingers' ends, Mr Thynne would o£ course receive his assistance. Cr M'Kenzie said he would &mp* port the amendment but he declined to state his reasons, as they might be personal. Cr Bailey also declared his inten« tion of supporting the amendment. At this point, Cr Rockstrow said he had never considered it an honor or otherwise to be Chairman. Ho had had quite enough of it, and had got tired and disgusted months ago. If he considered the ratepayers' interest, he would have taken the f^hair. He had worked for the rid" ing m the past, and for the County as well, but had been ©pposed by men who generally had a "wind-up" to terminate their schemes. He therefore ruled that there was only one nomination, that of Mr Thynne. and would withdraw his name, and declare Mr Thynne elected. [Cr Rockstrow then seized his nominal tion paper, doubled it up, and put it m his pocket, and left the chair.] Cr Sansou strongly objected to this. The motion had not been put, and Cr Rockstrow's nomination had not been withdrawn. Cr Rockstrow— There is no other candidate. [Doubling up the paper.] Cr Sanson — Why did you not put the resolution ? Cr Rockstrow — I am a free age at. I decline to stand. I never gave my consent, and there being no other candidate I rule Mr Tbynne elected. I thought Cr Sanson wop Id know the Act after all these years. Cr Thynne then took the chair, and m doing so said he proposed Cr Rockstrow m good faith. His consent was not asked, and was JPSJ given to his nomination. jSe^ thought Cr Rockstrow had a very good chance. He had no understanding with other members', and had never asked for a Councillor's, vote. He thought it would hare been better if Cr Rockstrow had. been elected, as he would of coursebe able to deal with the business; more expedifciously than himself,whohad been out of the Council som© years, and would find it difficult to take up the running. He thought the matter should have gone to a vote, as an even number had spoken on each side. He hoped Cr Rockstrow would give him hia assistance, as he would be able to do a good deal to make or unmake matters. The Clerk then re.id the minutes but before they were »igued, Cr Sanson drew attention to sec* tion 16 of the Standing Orders, which said no motion could be withdrawn without leare of the Council. He thought the election might be challenged. The Chairman's powor might be almost absolute (Cr Rockstrow — Hear, hear) but it was subject to resolution. Cr Rockstrow said, "Where ig« norance is bliss, ; Tis folly to be wise," especially where Cr Sanson is concerned. Cr Sanson objected to this kind of thing. He would refer to another order as to members speaking disrespectfully of one another. Cr Rockstrow said he only used a. well known English saying, " Where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise." Ci Sanson — Yes, but you said^ " especially where Cr Sanson is conn cerned." The Chairman thought it would have been better if leave had been asked to withdraw the motion. That, however could not invalidate the election. i Cr Boekstrow said Cr Thynne had been really and truly elected Chairman. The minutes were then signed and business proceeded. Cr Rockstrow moved that Einancia Committee consisting of Cr3 Sanson, Hadfield, M'Kenzie, the Chairman and the mover be appointed to in* spect the accounts previous to them, being placed before the Council. Seconded by Cr Thynu© # Cr Sanson said he was just about to move a permanent Finance Committee, to consist of Crs Hadfield, Thynne, M'Lennan, and Sanson, to adjust accounts between the two Counties. That would be one mem* ber from each riding. The Chairman said he thought- in any such motion the late Chair* man's name should be included. Cr Rockstrow said it could not

he exDected after Cr Sanson's motion that he would act on any finance committee. The sooner they got into a muddle the better he would like it ! Cr Sanson then withdrew his motion, and Cr Rockstrow's motion was passed, on the umlei staining 1 that the Committee only acted for one meeting. The Council then adjourned til] 2.30 p.m., to enable the temporary Finance Committee to inspwt tho day's accounts. Upon resuming the following precis of correspondence was read : — Notice of Copp's bankruptcy; from Treasury, asking for copy of balance sheet m triplis •cate; from do., with vouchers for £130 and £60 ; from Departmeut of Justice, for return of licensing expenses ; from Mr Sherwill, object ing to 11s being deducted from his account; from the Colonial Secretary, re County seal ; from J. M'Giverir, re damage to his pro- i perty. [Crs Thynne and Gibson were appointed to report] ; from the Uuder-Secretary of Public Works re cheque for rails; from the Otaki Highways Board, asking the Council to| appoint two Wardens. [Messrs. H. M'Drnald and J. Davies were appointed.] From Of Young, p,t bandon, re a gravel pit m that district ; from J. Norman, giving a'price of sleepers ; from the Chairman of Oroua Oonnty Council re maps and plans ; from W. G. Robiti^on^ re water lying on his ground ; native letter from Hoani Meihana; from T. U. Cook, applying for payment for land at WirokiuO jfroin Chairman of Oroua Council, letters re accounts; telegram from De Veaux & Co., re hipment of bolts; from Cr Sanson. re time for, meeting of new council ' from Messrs Smith Bros, re spikes.