DEVONPORT'S MAYOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1927, Page 10

DEVONPORT'S MAYOR.

1 m HIS TRIP ABROAD. SEE&S LEAVE ©F ABSElifeE. POWER BOARD BREEZE; There was a breezy quarter ef ah-heui at this mornings meeting of the Waitemata Electric Power Board when Mr. T. Lamont, one of the recently-eleeted members representing Devonport; applied for leave of absence to enable him i to visit Europe and the United States. '"I don't think it is possible for its to do it," sai6 the chairman (Mr. J. \V. Hayden) when the application came up for consideration: "The members of this board are responsible to the different Wards which they represent, and it is really not a matter for the board, but for the Devonport Borough Couneil. The Devonport Council eould ask this board to give Mr. Lainont leave of absence, But it seerds to me hardly fair that Devonport should lose 33 per cent of its representation for twelve months, especially as the next twelve months will be the most important in the history of the board in Devonport." Mr. M. E. Thompson said that Mr. Lament was not elected by the Devonport Council, but as a representative of the Devonport people. He would move that the application be granted. Mr. A. E. Gleenslade: It is purely a matter between Mr. Lamont and his constituents. The only way the DevonportBorough Council comes into it is in the event of a vacancy, wbich the council would be asked to fill. In reply to a member, who asked how long he expected to be absent, Mr. Lamont said he would like leave of absence for twelve months, although he might be back in six. He was not going away to be idle, and would be glad if the board could give him a letter of introduction to electrical authorities in the countries he proposed visiting. He was not taking up business again, and intended on his return to New Zealand to devote his life to community work. While he was away he intended to inquire as fully as possible into municipal and public body activities in the different places he visited. Mr. J. Mackie: I can't for the life of me see why is should not be granted. If there is any disadvantage, the responsibility is on Devonport. and I take it the people there will be conversant with the position. In reply to a question, the other two DeronDort representatives. Messrs. G. Trevithick and S. E. Kennings. both expressed themselves in favour of the ap- ' plication, and signified their willingness to undertake any extra work that might be involved. The discussion then ended, it being decided to grant Mr. Lamont leave of absence up to twelve months, and to furnish him with a letter of introduction to the electrical authorities in the countries which he will visit.