DIVIDED COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 8

DIVIDED COUNCIL.

OPOTIKI BOROUGH. WAGES. OF OUTSIDE STAFF. ARBITRATORS TO FIX RATES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) OPOTIKI, this day. Further interesting developments took place at the second adjourned monthly meeting of the Upotikl Borough Council last night. Mr. Webb asked that a corrected copy of the minutes which were passed at last meeting be read. The Mayor (Mr. G. S. Moody): You can't do that. Mr. Webb: I should like to move that they be read. The Mayor: We will go on with the accounts on the agenda paper. Mr. S. Shalfoon then detailed a list of accounts which he would like to have removed from the account form, including five relating to the outside staff. He also suggested that the Post Office account be reduced by half, to enable telephones at the residences of the town clerk and foreman to be disconnected. Mr. Main said he questioned the wisdom of cancelling telephones, as in the event of a blowout in the water system it would be very awkward.

Mr. Shalfoon said that as the salaries of the town clerk and office girl had already been drawn.it was not necessary to pass these accounts. He asked why a cheque had.been .written before the accounts had been passed by the council. The Act stated that no money could be drawn from the bank without the authority of the council. A cheque had been signed and money transferred from the wharf account to the district fund.

The Town Clerk (Mr. Chas. Fleming): I will answer those questions at the proper* time. At present Mr. Shalfoon refuses to pass these amounts. The clerk asked Mr. Shalfoon how he proposed passing the first four accounts, dealing with the wages of unemployed, as those had already been paid. The Power Board account had also been paid. After Mr. Shalfoon had replied to this the clerk said it was a very ingenious explanation. Mr. Main moved that the accounts be passed with the exception of those relating tb the outside staff. This was seconded by the Mayor. Amendment Carried. Mr. Shalfoon moved an amendment that the accounts, with the exception of the outside staff payments and those he had detailed, be passed for payment. This was seconded by Mr. Webb and carried by five votes to two. Mr. Anderson: I move that the clerk be instructed to write to the employees who were previously dismissed notifying them that they have ceased to be employed since July 26. The Mayor: We can't make any fresh proposals. You're out of order. Mr. Anderson: Can I move anything else? ~.. The Mayor said he objected to the motion. I Mr. Shalfoon: There is no seconder. Mr. Anderson moved, that the wharfinger, • Mr. Hartshorne, be reappointed as from September 1. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shalfoon. •-■-•- - - Mr. Main: This is new business. The Mayor: I object to the motion. Mr. Anderson: What object is there in stopping the business of the council? I can't see any reason. Mi-; Anderson moved, further, that the clerk be instructed to furnish clear accounts for the months of June, July and August at the next council meeting, in addition to bank balances at that date. • . Mr. Patterson seconded. Mr. Anderson asked when the balancesheet would be available, and what was the cause of obstruction. The clerk replied that it was still in the hands of the Audit Department. The motion was carried. Mr. Anderson moved that the town clerk furnish all receipts in connection with the £1000 received from the wharf account for the relief of unemployment. The Clerk: This is going to take a long time to go Into. I'll bring it forward at next meeting. Mr. Anderson: I wish to protest against the transfer by cheque of £700 from the wharf account to the general account-without the authority of the council. 1 I consider this • is an' illegal proceeding. Remark Withdrawn. ■ The Clerk: It is due to.myself to protest against Mr. Anderson's statement. I ask Mr. Anderson, to withdraw that remark. The transfer of the money was effected by the usual procedure, and it had always been . approved by' the auditors 'as quite legal. Mr. Anderson withdrew the words "illegal proceeding." He further moved that the borough solicitor be called in to advise the council in, reference to rates and the question of liability for men's' wages. He also moved'that the meeting further adjourn until Tuesday, September 5. ' The Mayor: The county clerk has offered to arbitrate in reference to rates. Mr. Fleming: I should like to say that this is either a reflection on the clerk or councillors to call in an ex-town clerk and solicitor. The Mayor said he had every confidence in the town clerk and his work. Mr. Main: Surely we can fix up the rates without calling in the solicitor. ' The Clerk: Will councillors ntand by the arbitrators?' 'Mr. Shalfoon:' Yes. We will be pleased to have the solicitor and Mr. Merry (the county clerk). Mr. Anderson agreed to have Mr. Merry's name included in his- motion. Mr. Main: It seems extraordinary that the Mayor and seven councillors cannot fix the rates. Mr. Shalfoon: The trouble is we cannot see alike. Mr. Main: I am satisfied we cannot get along on a rate of 4Jd. Mr. Anderson's motion practically amounts to a vote of no confidence in the present council. If we are incapable of fixing the rates ourselves the '. council ought to resign. Mr. Anderson's motion was, carried by five votes to' two.