reader of the discussion would opine). They should not drive a man like a horse (Here Coun. Ginner, voluntarily or otherwise became an apologist for Mr. Putland, who never before or after laboured so incessantly and at a most important epoch to accomplish within a given time the many duties set before him in the Health of Town’s Act. Duties, by the bye, with which the most exacting members of the Council had not made themselves sufficiently acquainted.
The attention to the sanitary arrangements of 150 new houses, the making of new roads, the heightening and repairing of the parade-walls, the supervision of the new water-works, and the preparation of a general drainage scheme, in addition to works of a minor character, and all wanted to be done at once, required a strength of mental and physical powers, not to be found in the ordinary circles of humanity). He, (Coun. Ginner) would test the sincerity of the Board as to whether they had made up their mind, by proposing that Mr. Gant be Surveyor. Coun. Harvey seconded, and in doing so, intimated that the Board would be surprised that he, on a previous occasion, opposed Mr. Gant, and now supported him; but his only complaint against Mr. Gant was the long time he took to prepare the map. Coun. Ross certainly was surprised to hear Harvey support Mr. Gant, whom he had formerly launched out against, and condemned in every point of order. Mr Harvey seemed to think no one had a right to change his opinion but himself, who had shewn himself to be a complete weathercock.
Mr Gant elected. It having been stated by Mr. Gant that he would accept the office at £150 salary, Ald. Clement expressed his fears that Mr. Gant would be wanting an increase every three months, and he, (Ald. C.) would sooner see him paid £200 or £250, to prevent his asking for more. Mr. Gant was elected at the original salary, by 14 votes to 4.
Thanks to the ex-Surveyor. Ald. Scrivens, in a commendatory address proposed a vote of thanks to the ex-Surveyor, which, it was satisfactory to find was carried unanimously.
Site of the abandoned Lighthouse. At the Council meeting on the 4th of Feb. Mr Simmonds’s offer to purchase the site of the “Upper Lighthouse” was declined, for the following reasons:- That to build on it would make the neighbourhood of Hill street more confined; that the Council might want it themselves; and that they could not sell it without permission of the Treasury.
Town Clerk’s Extras demurred to. A long and animated discussion ensued on the recommendation of the Finance Committee to pay the Town Clerk’s bill for extras, his salary being £150, and the sum of £2 8s 10d being objected to. Coun. Williams moved that the disputed item be omitted, and this, as an amendment was carried by 11 to 4. Coun. Harvey expressed great indignation at the result, and said he should withdraw his name from the Finance Committee. Couns Ross was also dissatisfied with the vote. Coun. Ginner was surprised that Ross and Harvey should so entirely agree, which he said was like mixing vinegar with oil.
Proposal re Financial a/cs. Coun. Harvey then moved that in future all bills be -
