COUNCIL SPLIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 150, 28 June 1933, Page 8

COUNCIL SPLIT.

OPOTIKI PROTESTS. BOROUGH STAFF AFFAIRS. CLERK DECLARED SUSPENDED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)• OPOTHvI, tills day. As the result, of a split in ihe' Opotiki Borough Council, find following a. lively meeting which "was adjourned jlast evening until this morning,-a resolution was declared carried to-day suspending the town clerk, Mi'. Charles Fleming, on the ground that he. refused to take minutes of the proceeding*. This morning's adjourned meeting was not attended by lhc Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody, or Messrs. 1". Short and J. Main. • The. meeting was further adjourned until the afternoon. There was a record attendance of residents at last night's meeting, due to the' drastic proposals made by some members of the council in connection with the borough stair. When Mr. Anderson asked for a minute dealing with the termination of the last meeting of the council to be added to .the minutes, the town clerk taid he could not comply, as by so doing he would be breaking the law. Mr. Main presented a petition, signed by a large number of doctors, including nearly halt" the resident ratepayers, praying the>.council not to take, drastic action by dismissing employees and making extensive reductions in the' salaries of new employees. - Mr. W. Moody objected to the deputation in favour of-the petition: being heard. The Mayor,' Mr. G. S. Moody, ruled that it was jn order.. Two Public Protests. Mr. Arrowsmith, a, member of the deputation, spoke in, support of the petition. In the course of his remarks he was subjected to comments by some of the councillors. After interjections by Mr. Shalfoon, Mr. Short asked if Mr. Shalfoon thought he was the Mayor. The council received the petition without discussion. A letter was received from the Unemployment Committee warning the council that in the event of the dismissal of employees, unemployed men would not be allowed to do their work. Mr. Shalfoon, made a lengthy statement on borough affairs generally. When Mr. Short said .lie was unable to follow him, Mr. Shalfoon retorted: '"You had better go to school again," Mr. Patterson then proposed that the council deal with the dismissal of two members of the outside staff, as recommended T>y the works committee. This was ruled out of order" by the Mayor, who said the matter must be discussed en July 4, as the council had unanimously agreed to go into the whole question of the boroi gli staff oh that date. Mr. Anderson, who had 'put in two notices -of motion; asked, per.nission to withdraw the first. This was agreed to. Ruled" Out of Order. Mr. Anderson then moved, that the clprk be asked to bund, in his resignation and that applications be called for a new clerk at a salary of £3 per week, plus £20 extra from licensing fees; also that the foreman and a ganger be" dismissed and applications -called to fill these positions at £3 and £2 per week respective!y. In reply to a question asked by Mr." Short, the Mayor said, in view of - the . decision of the council to review the position on July 4, the motion was out of order. Mr. Anderson contended that his motion was quite different, but the Mayor ruled otherwise. Mr. Shalfoon (to .the Mayor): I ask; you to be careful. I disagree with your ruling. Wo will have- to call on the deputy-Mayor, if .you refuse to go on with the motion. Mr. Shalfoon then moved that the deputy-Mayor, Mr. <L Moody, take the chair and that -the meeting adjourn until Wednesday morning. Messrs. J. Moody, Anderson. Shalfoon, Webb and Patterson voted for the motion, which was declared carried, other -councillors refusing to take part. The deputy-Mayor (to the clerk): Will you take the minutes to-morrow? Mr. Fleming: I'll take my instructions from the Mayor.