Consideration am disposed to think that Mr Gerard may have some cause for complaint: In the Minute of the Executive Council of the 7th of July 1876 I find "the appointment of Messrs. Gerard & Saffery as Valuators for the current year". As no notice appears in the Minutes of the preceding years, I infer that the appointment in Council was considered to be permanent, not annual, until the change introduced by Hon. A. Kennedy in 1875. Consequently Mr Gerard on taking office might suppose that he was re-appointed.
It seems that he had reason to complain of being deprived of his "Office" without notice or under any Ordinance.
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