COUNCIL REBUKED BY BOARD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21734, 17 March 1936, Page 17

COUNCIL REBUKED BY BOARD

LIVELY DISCUSSION AT LYTTELTON A matter of ethics between two local t bodies whose interests adjoin, and to some extent overlap, caused an animated discussion at the meeting of the : Lyttelton Borough Cbuncil last evening. At the previous meeting, of the" council it was decided to send a letter to the Lyttelton Harbour Boafd calling attention to the unsatisfactory state ' of the conveniences at the Coronation Hall and- on tne wharves. Last night ’ a reply was received from the board. " Hie letter from the secretary of the board. Mr C. H. Glibborn, read:— “I am directed by the chairman to v acknowledge receipt of your favour of March 3. ‘directing the board’s at- ' tention to the state of the lavatories > and latrines in the Coronation Hall and on the-waterfront’ “In reply, I am. to say that, while u appreciating the council’s very kindly J interest and assistance in matters ap- ;■ pertaining to the Welfare of the port - the board is at a loss to understand the council’s action on this occasion, as neither of the conveniences discharge into the borough drains and are not therefore within the borough’s jurisdiction, and the board cannot remem- - ber that by any intrusion into the af- : fairs or interest of the borough in the • past it has-justified what would seem ’t to be an intrusion by the council in the present case.” Cr. Morris: We asked for it. Cr. Sinclair; And we got it. Cr. Hempstalk: It looks as if we have • got to confine our attention to our own • affairs. We have overstepped the mark. He added that if things were not right at the Coronation Hall, then it-' was a matter between the watersiders’ • union and the board. They should have ■: looked further before they sent the ' letter , to the board. , The Mayor said he was sorry' the council hag not further considered the ; matter before taking action, v ' a Cr. Toy said the council had liken . the matter up in good faith, as the ' result of a statement made by a councillor. He (Cr. Toy) knew that the conveniences on the waterfront had not been kept in good order. “I consider it a most discourteous letter from the secretary of the' board” H said Cr, Toy. —---. The Mayor; Ido not regard it as dis- - courteous. I think the matter should not be discussed further. . Cr. Toy; It is a cheeky Tetter. It is," impudent, It is as good as telling us to mind our own business. ’ Cr. Foster said the letter was sent ■’ by the council from a health point of ‘ view. It was not intended to attempt to with the board at all. ’ The letter was received. Later Cr. Toy moved that - b ® sent to the board stating mat the council did not intend to be ' dictatorial, but merely wished to draw the attention of the board to what - was regarded as a nuisance. The mocarried 35 seconded by Cr * Sinclair and