THE MAYOR AND THE ROYAL VISIT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11084, 1 October 1901, Page 3

THE MAYOR AND THE ROYAL VISIT.

RESOLUTION" BY THE CITY

COUNCIL.

In the City Copncil lest night, Cr. Gray said:—Before calling on the ordinary business of the Council, I have a motion to propose which I feel wire will not only meet with the hearty approval of the members of this Council, but also of the citizens of Chxistchurch generally. The motion is as follows:—"This Council, as representing the citizens of Christcbureh, desires to place on record its regret that the ilayor of the city, Mr A. £. G. Rhodes, should, through the action taken in Parliament* have been placed in an entirely false* position with regard to certain expenditure in connection with the Royal visit." "We in' Ofcnstoiiurch,' conttaoed {Jr. Gray, "were au pamtd and graved at noticing uw position in wnicn tne waa pxateu in -bringing t&e matter oeiore the House iv tne way it was done. I am not going to say who is to biame in the mai*ex; but someone has 'blundered, and it is quite evident that this ib one ox those blunders which are worse taan a crime. What has taken place may itot be of so very great consequence just now, but politics is a peculiar game, and tnere are some politicians who believe in, the proverb that all is fair in love, war, and pontics, and there are also others who do not seem to care what they take advantage of so as to damage a political opponent. His Worship the Mayor very generously gave up his residence lor the accommodation ol the Royal guests, ana also entertained the visitors in a royal manner. That the Mayor should have been treated in this manner I consider it sisunelul, and it should excite the strongest indignation on the part of the citizens of Coristchurch."

Cr. J. T. Smith—l have great pleasure in seconding the motion which has -been' proposed by Cr. Gray. Not only is the position in which tne (\Layor has been placed quite uncalled for so fer as his Worship is but it is also a reflection on the city which the Mayor has the honour to represent. There can be only one opinion m the community as to the excellent manner in which his Worship carried out his onerous duties in connection with the Royal visit; they were simply done in an admirable manner. I don't koour'-iiow- the to which reference has been made, but someone is to blame for bringing the question before Parliament in the way in which it was done. I feel cure that* his Worship will have the sympathy of the whole of the citizens of Chxistchurch under the circumstances. *

Cr. Clark—l should like to support the resolution which has been proposed' by Cr. Gray, and to express my disgust at the way in which the matter wae brought before Parliament, after the very excellent and right royal manner in which his Worship entertained the visitors to this city during the period of the Royal visit. I take it that it must have arisen, from the culpable neglect of some Civil servant, because I do not wish for one moment to impute political motives. But Ido think, and very strongly so, too, that the Premier should at once have got up in the House:and said that the money put on the -Estimates was expended, t as was 'the „ case, for the Government. * I, should like to ask his Worship whether one penny of this amount can be called personal expenditure. His Worship—l do not think so. Personally I do nob think I paid oat £4 or £6. Whether tie Government pay the amount or not it will not. affect- mc personally, because fhe tradespeople can sue the Government if they do-Hot get their money. If the Government send" the cheque I shall receive it, because if I do not do so the tradespeople will not get ■their money unless they were to take proceedingß to recover it. Otherwise it: : is quite immaterial to mc whether the Government pass the amount or not. ,Cr. Gray'then put the motion, which-was earned unanimously. . . : k