"MR James Woodyatt's collie," wrote Ariel in the Gazette 100 years ago," by the way an intelligent animal, is no stranger to the Couincil Chamber, but until Tuesday last his attendance has not been very regular of late.

"Probably anticipating a breezy discussion on the Hills Bill, the quarrying question or some other topic, he strolled into the meeting with his master.

"It was soon evident that the dog was disappointed, for after listening to the prosaic business - the election of Chairman and Committees - for a short time, he turned his back upon the Municipal Fathers and went to sleep beneath the reporters' table."