ASKED TO RESIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 5

ASKED TO RESIGN.

BIRKENHEAD COUNCIL. REQUEST TO REINSTATE TOWN CLERK. FIRE CARNIVAL FUND. A large meeting of Birkenhead ratepayers last evening discussed the position of the fire brigade carnival fund and the circumstances leading up to the relinquishment of the town clerkship by Mr. J. W. Cocks. Resolutions were carried asking that Mr. Cocks be reinstated as town clerk, and also requesting the whole council to resign.

The meeting was convened by the combined ratepayers' association of Birkenhead and Birkdale and the Queen Carnival committee. Mr. R. M. Beswick presided. Mr. James Batty, reporting on behalf of the committee appointed at the recent public meeting relating to the carnival fund, stated that they had b'een refused permission to peruse the financial statement prepared for submission to the auditor. The cheque for £030 received from the Fire Brigade Queen Carnival committee was banked in the district fund account in January, 1930, and the

empowering legislation passed on November 5, 1931, authorised the council to pay the Fire Board levy from the carnival fund. After deducting the levy for the first year, and £12 12/ for legal expenses, there was a balance of £271. Tho deputation had since been forwarded a balance-sheet for the year 1930-31, the covering letter containing the sentence: "Please regard the matter of the carnival fund as closed." (Laughter). Not one penny interest had been credited to tho carnival fund, which had lost £00 in interest alone. The committee wanted to see the £12 12/ eliminated and interest added. Question to Councillors.

Mr. J. B. Williams said he had asked the council if any of the carnival fund had been used prior to the passing of the Enabling Bill, and without hesitation the Mayor h'.d replied, "Xo." He now found that the answer should have been, "Yes." He challenged members of the council to explain. "Do not rest until you find them out!" he advised ratepayers. Until the audit w r as finished they were at a "dead-end."

Mr. R. R. Hayman refuted the asser Hon that a wrong answer was given.

Mr. Williams put the question to individual councillors: Was any part of the carnival fund used prior to the Enabling Bill going through? Mr. J. Maedonald: If so, I knew nothing of it. Mr. Williams: How long have you been a member? (Laughter.) Mr. Maedonald: Since last election. On the motion of Mr. E. C. Walton, seconded by Mr. C. Hams, the report of the committee was received. Town Clerk's Statement.

The town clerk, Mr. J. W. Cocks, invited to give information concerning the termination of his engagement, said he was appointed three years ago. He had given his best in the service of the borough, and had served in various voluntary capacities. He came with credentials gained in service elsewhere, where he served no more zealously than at Birkenhead, but where the local bodies seemed to be more appreciative of staff loyalty and effort. With regard to his life in the community, with all sincerity and conviction, he could say that he knew of no animosity or hostile feeling anywhere except in certain members of the council.

Mr. Cocks said that a year ago he arranged to go to Rotorua for a week's holiday, but was advised not to go, being warned that there were designs on his appointment. More recently a hotbed of hostility had been revealed, and endeavours made to embarrass the staff, and the town clerk in particular. It was difficult to understand the action of some councillors following the lead of the two hostile ones. After returning from a short holiday in March, he was met by the Mayor and deputy-Mayor, and on behalf of the council, they asked him to tender his resignation, no grounds being given. At the meeting following, ho stated that he had no intention of resigning. On March 30 it was decided in committee that he be given three months' notice. He prepared a committee report of the three meetings, which was circulated to members for confirmation at the ordinary meeting on April 6. This report had never been adopted by the council. Unless it was adopted at an ordinary • meeting, he submitted that he would be entitled to salary beyond June 30. All other business transacted at the meeting of the council-in-committee on March 30 was duly presented as a committee report at the ordinary meeting on April 0 and adopted. Alleged Fear of Publicity.

The chief characteristic displayed had been the fear of publicity. On questioning the Mayor he was informed that the secrecy was being observed for his sake. The information appearing in the Auckland Press was given by himself. In the event of the balance-sheet for 1931-32 being approved without reservation, on what grounds would the charge of inefficiency be based? There was no security for local body officers when the power to remove them was abused. He considered he had not been given fair treatment, and the matter had been kept in the background and not given publicity. Councillor Takes Blame.

Mr. E. J. Sinel said when he first joined the council he discovered a mistake. There were details that led up to the greater things. He gave all sorts of hints, which were met with sneering contempt. He would take the blame for moving that the town clerk be discharged. He considered he was serving the ratepayers in doing so. The council was unanimous, but wanted someone to lead. After a while the council wavered, and decided to carry on, and when the position was put to Mr. Cocks he launched out on a tirade of "conspiracy." In the finish be accused members of the council, and hot words ensued. Subsequently Mr. Cocks withdrew the assertion of "conspiracy," as the source of his information was incorrect, and he was sorry he had acted on it. He subsequently said conspiracy still existed.

Answering an interjection that another councillor was wanted, Mr. Sinel said that was easilv clone

After a desultory discussion, a resolution was passed requesting the reinstatement of Mr. Cocks, and the resignation of the council.

The meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with the Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhail, in his illness, and expressed the hope that he would have a speedy recovery.