AVONDALE AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 9

AVONDALE AFFAIRS.

CRITICISM OF COUNCIL

BIG MEETING OF RATEPAYERS

UPROAR AND INTERRUPTIONS

Probably one of the largest ratepayers' meetings ever held in the borough of Avondale was held last evening when practically all the seating accommodation in the Town Hall was occupied.

The occasion was made one on which the affairs of the council, as well as the administration, were criticised in no uncertain manner by two members of the council, Messrs. H. Tiarks and W. Pendlebury.

There were many and varied interruptions. At times the proceedings were very lively, and on one occasion the meeting got completely out of control. Many times "counting out" was indulged in, and ironical applause was a feature.

Mr. Avery, chairman of the Ratepayers' Progressive Association, presided, and said the prime object of the association was to assist the Borough Council from a ratepayer's point "of view. The association had certainly justified its position, but it had not (gained information to which it had been entitled. It was felt that the local body should have called meetings of ratepayers and put the position of the borough before them.

At this stage the Mayor rose to speak, but his voice was drowned in the noise of applause.

An Unpleasant Duty.

Mr. liarks said his was an unpleasant duty. He had been pegging away at the same things since 1922. It* had been his desire to see the finances of the borough put in such a state that ratepayers would be able to know where they stood. The recent investigations by a firm of accountants had not been as successful as it was hoped. The cash statement they had produced was utterly useless. It was rediculous for peopfe to say that everything was all right if the Government auditor passed the books. All he was required to do was to see that receipts for expenditure were correct. The speaker declared that if a costing system had been instituted then the cost of each and every work in the borough would have been'known. Mr. Tiarks went on to particularise OB the cost of Wynyard Road, and said several different sets of figures had been given to the council. "Oh, Shut Up!" .Mr. P. Richardson (from the body of the hall): Where did you get your figures? Voice from the audience: Oh, shut up. The chairman: You can ask questions afterwards. (Applause.) Mr. Richardson, who is also a councillor, was on his feet to ask another question, but was howled down and Mr. Tiarks proceeded with his remarks concerning the costing system which he alleged had not been set up. Sir. Richardson was still on his feet and he was "counted out" and told to "sit down." Mr. Tiarks: After this slight interruption I will go on with what the quarry output hag _ been, and how it has been totalled up. "As far as road and street construction is concerned," he said, "what have you got for an expenditure of f 17,000?" Voices: Nothing! (Laughter.) There were more interruptions during the course of which Mr. Tiarks was heard to remark that the three members of the south ward were always overruled in council. To him the present administration was utterly useless and futile. It should not be allowed to carry on. (More loud interruptions.) "Things We've Been Up Against." Mr. Pendlebury said it was mainly his duty to explain the disabilities under which the three members of the south ward had been labouring. He referred to what he termed the "tactics" of the M*yor and six other members of the Council towards the three southern members. The speaker was proceeding to quote from a text-book concerning what chairmen of meetings should do, when a voice called out, "That's a sermon." (Laughter.) Continuing, Mr. Pendlebury said: "The things we've been up against is that the chairman of the Council has not been impartial."

At a later stage Mr. Pendlebury said he would give £500 to the Public Hospital if it could be proved that he had seconded a motion to increase the rates.

Mr. W. J. Tait, the Mayor, producing the minute-book, sprang upon a chair in the front row amidst pandemonium. Tbe chairman came down from the platform and mounted a chair beside the Mayor.

"Who'll Put Mc Out?" 'Mr. Tait: Who said "Put mc out?" Voices (to chairman): You're not game. Mr. Tait: You try to put mc out of this building. Voices: No. no! Mr. Tait: Get a policeman and put mc out. Mr. Pendlebury tried to speak but was howled down. A Voice: Mr. chairman, will you let the Town Clerk read what's in the minute-book? The Chairman: No. After further consultation the Mayor was allowed to g8 on the platform. He read a resolution passed on August 5 concerning the increase in ratee which, he said, was seconded by Mr. Pendlebury.

A voice: What about that £500 now? (Cheers.)

The Chairman: The association has paid for the hall, and ."

Voices: Sit down.

The Chairman: Do you want to hear them? (Meaning the Mayor and Town Clerk.)

Voices: Yes, let's have it,

The chair would not "have it," however, so the Mayor again resumed his seat amidst applause. By this time the hall was filled to overflowing. After Tain attempts to gain order the chairman gave it up.