A STORM IN A TEACUP.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10635, 20 April 1900, Page 3

A STORM IN A TEACUP.

THE SUMXER COUNCIL IN TROUBLE. A DEADLOCK. Among its other attractions, the borough of Stunner contains a Borough Council of six members and a Mayor, \rho have lately fallen out so seriously as to startle the little watering place out of its usual peacefolness. The Council has come to a, deadlock orer the validity of one of the Councillor's seats. It appears that Cr. Graham owned a certain amount of land, by right of which he held his seat as a ratepayer. He was supposed to tare sola , 9 acres of it to the Government, and that portion was struck off the rate roll. Recently he sold the remainder of his property to Mr J. Illingworth. At a Council meeting on April 12th the purchaser's name was substituted for Mr Graham's, and on the Council proceeding to consider the business of the evening—applications for the office of Ranger and Inspector —the Mayor refused >to accept Cγ. Graham's vote as he was no longer a councillor, on the ground that he had been struck off the rate roll, and had no property. Three Councillors left the room in consequence, and the meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. The adjourned meetins: was called for Monday, 14th. This meeting also lapsed, and the meeting was again adjourned until last night. In the meantime both factions had been consulting legal and getting ready for the combat. Mr Graham's contention was that he had not sold the 9 acres, and had given no instructions to have Ms name removed from the roll on that account; while the Town Clerk was equally sure that he did give verbal instructions.

The small Council Chamber was as full as it could hold for the meeting, not only all the Councillors, but as many of the residents as could find room, being present. Cr. Massey moved that the Council should go into committee to consider the appointment of ranger. This was seconded and put to the vote, although the Mayor urged that the Council had nothing to hide. Cr. Graham held up his hand to denote that he wished his vote re-corded. The Mayor reminded him that he was rendering himself liable to a penalty if he persisted in voting. Cr. Graham demanded why he was taken off the roll. He asked for a- fair hearing. Hβ knew no reason why Eis-.name should be removed from the roll for the other portion of hia property.

The Mayor—"Do I understand - that you have disposed of your property* to Mr Ulingworth, and have no further control over it."

Cr. Graham—"l have sold part; of it, but I still hold the rest. The night you refused my vote I was in possession." The Mayor—"l never refused your vote. I simply pointed out the position." The dialogue relative to this property continued for some time in this strain, Cr. Graham holding that he was entitled to vote. Tiie Mayor quoted legal opinion, to the contrary, and assured him that he would be liable to a fine of £50 for voting, the necessary steps for the infliction of which would be taken. Cr. Graham's name was not on the roll.

Cγ. Graham—"Who authorised the clerk to take my name off." (Hear, hear.) The Mayor—"l believe you did." Cr. Graham—"No, I did not." The town clerk excitedly endeavoured to say something. The Mayor—"Don't you lose your temper, leave it to mc," Mr Graham—"l hare not completed the eale of the nine acres." The Ivlayor—"The valuation sent to you stated you had the reduced acreage, and you should have known that you were not on the roll for it." He went on to explain that the clerk had left out that portion on the ground that the property had been sold to the Government.

Or. Graham in reply detailed a conversation between the clerk and himself on the subject. He did not suppose that Mr Crawford would deny what he had said.

Mr Crawford (the town clerk) said he had never had such, a conversation, and proceeded to detail another conversation outside Langdon and SteeFs, when iur Graham, had said most distinctly that he 'had sold the land to the Government. Cγ. Graham denied having such a conversation with the clerk. The Mayor (remarked that it was unfortunate, but could not be helped. Cr. Graham admitted that the Mayor's ruling seemed right in law under the circumstances. Cr. Hulbert moved, "That Cγ. Graham's name be removed immediately, and be reinstated on the roll." Addressing the Mayor he began, "You said that the Town Clerk had removed the name—" The Mayor—"l said nothing of the kind." " Cr. Hulbert—"Well, you said you did." The Mayor —"No I didn't." Cγ. Hulbert —"What authority had the Clerk to take any verbal statement regarding the property in any case'/" The Mayor—"That is not relevant." Cr. Hulbert—"Excuse mc, don't interrupt." The Mayor—"Excuse mc, you have had your say. " I am speaking." He proceeded to remark that he was chairman, and intended to be obeyed. ! Cr. Hulbert argued that Cr. Graham's name should appear on the roll. It took both the seller and purchaser to substitute one name for another by mutual agreement, and Cγ. Graham had not applied to have his name removed. He proceeded to refer to previous cases of what he termed "maladministration." The Mayor would not allow him to continue. Cr. Hulherfr—"l think in the case of an, old councillor like Cr. Graham —" The Mayor—"That has nothing to do with the question. I rule yon out of order." Cγ. Hulbert (continuing)—"coupled with the fact that he has done more service for the borough than half-a-dozen mayors and councillors (applause) anyone with a spark of honour"would not have allowed this shameful attack upon him." The Mayor—"Spark of honour is not parliamentary. Withdraw." Cr. Hulbert—"lt's quite parliamentary." The Mayor—"Excuse mc, I am chairman, and won't allow it." Cr. Hulbert—"Well, I withdraw the 'spark. , Anyone with any honour." The Mayor —"That is equally out of order." Cγ. Hulbert — "li you continually interrupt, how can anyone speak." The Mayor—"Stick to the reasons." Cr. Hulbert—"Well, so I am." After further altercation Cr. Massey seconded the resolution, agreeing with with all Mr Hulbert had said.

Cγ. Glenie suppurted it. There •was a further acrimonious discussion, during -which Cγ. Hnlbert interjected. "The Council can't take people off the roll." The Mayor— "Hold tout noise." Cr. Hulbert —''You are rude to mc. I'll be rude to you. You are continually interjecting." The Mayor—"l shall do something more presently." Or. Hulbert —"I am ready for you. The Mayor said Cr. Hulbert knew it would be illegal to reinstate Cr. Graham. After referring again .to the position, he went on, "a9~reeards Mr Hulbert." Cr. Hulbert—"Cr. Hnlbert if you please." The Mayer—Cγ. Hulbert! Til give him bis full title, iunior Cr. Hulbert. What he has suggested is the height of absurdity." Then "there was ? further lenethy discussion between the Mayor and Cr. Graham, the latter asserting that he had been taken off the roll wrongfully. Cγ. Graham left the room in a heated manner. Cγ. Hulbert (jumping up)—"l refrise to remain in the Council. I think it's an outrage the way Cr. Graham has been treated." The MayoY—"You had better wait to yote on your motion. It may be carried." Cγ. Hulbert—"Well, «• I will." The motion was put, and the yating was as follows:— Art*— Crs. Hulbert, Massey aad OlflAk. Not*— The Mayer, 4ad Cm.

Maffey and Hughes. The Mayor gave his casting vote against the motion, which was lost. Crs. Massey. Hulbert and Glenie then retired from the room, the first-named remarking that the Council was being dragged through the mud. The Mayor—"l am afraid yon, have dragged it through the mud." For the benefit of those present the Mayor explained that the former meeting called "by him had been an adjourned meeting, and the statement in one of the papers -that it was a special meeting was diametrically opposed to fact. He further adjourned the meeting for three da vs.