BITTER WORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 5

BITTER WORDS.

COUNCIL " FIGHT." REMOVAL OF A HILL. ALLEGATION AGAINST MAYOR. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Acrimonious words passed among members of the Hamilton Borough Council last evening during a discussion on the Empowering Bill now before Parliament regarding the scheme to remove Garden Place Hill at an estimated cost of £100,000. Mr. H. M. Hammond pointed out that the chief property owners on the hill were favourable to the scheme, providing the council exercised its rights within two years. He criticised Mr. C. LafTerty for making a public statement that the council was attempting to go behind the backs of the ratepayers. Strong exception to Mr. Hammond's remarks was taken by Mr. LafTerty. He asserted that if Mr. Hammond was sincere he would have agreed to a referendum on the matter at the last election. Ho claimed that the Mayor, Mr. J. R. Fow, should be the last to associate himself with the matter, as his property stood to benefit substantially from the scheme.

"I am too well known for any mud thrown by Mr. Lafferty to stick to my name," said Mr. Fow in reply. "His attack is typical. Messrs. H. D. Caro and A. M. Bisley deplored Mr. Laflerty's attitude. Mr. Bisley asserted that the reason why Mr. Lafferty opposed the scheme was because he thought Hamilton would advance to the detriment of his interests at Frankton.

Mr. LafTerty: Such a thought never crossed my mind. But I can understand your attack. You will get a 75ft frontage on the new road to your business if the scheme is proceeded with.

Discussion closed after a resolution had been carried agreeing that the powers in the Garden Place Act, if not ixercised within two years, should lapse.