The Waitemata County Council came into existence under the Counties Act of 1877. At its first meeting, held in Auckland, the following councillors were present:—Mr Oliver Mays and Mr R. Mackay, Takapuna Riding; Mr Robert Sinclair and Mr John Lamb, Ararima Riding; Mr Henry Lloyd, Waiti Riding; and Captain C. H. Otway, Manukau Riding. Mr Mays was unanimously elected first chairman of the Council, and, with one short interval, held the office for eight years. When Mr Mays retired from the chairmanship in 1887, he was appointed county clerk and treasurer, and still (1900) holds that position. Waitemata is the premier county of the provincial district of Auckland, and its popularity and success are in a large measure due to the energy and administrative ability of Mr Mays. During the first ten years of the county's existence, thirteen of the sixteen local road boards merged themselves into it. The Council for 1900 consists of Messrs J. H. O'Neill (chairman), R. Sinclair, A. Bruce, A. Wilson, A. J. Hatfield, junior, E. W. Alison, J. M. Phillips, and A. Cochran, junior. The Council, which meets on the first Friday in each month, has jurisdiction over all the country lying north of the Auckland harbour, as far as Waiwera on the east, and the Kaipara river on the west.