CRITICISM OF MEMBER

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23323, 8 May 1941, Page 7

CRITICISM OF MEMBER

ELLESMERE DRAINAGE BOARD DREDGE LOAN PROPOSAL Criticism of the action of one of the members of the Ellesmere Lands Drainage Board in raising objections to the board’s scheme for purchasing a dredge, to be used in clearing work in the Halswell river and surrounding areas, was raised by the chairman, Mr H. J. Macartney, at a meeting yesterday. , Meetings of ratepayers in the hoard s district were held last month at Motukarara, Greenpark, Tai Tapu, Ladbrooks, and Halswell, to obtain consent for this proposal. A poll for the Halswell Dredging Loan, 1941, was taken on April 19, 240 votes out of a total of 288 approving the scheme. . Reporting on the meetings, all of which he attended, Mr Macartney said the board had come through with very little criticism. As it happened there was a small attendance at Halswell, and he thought if it had been bigger the vote there would have been different. “I was astonished to hear Mr W. Downey speak against the proposal after he had not raised a voice at any previous meetings of the board,”'he continued. “I thought it was definitely not cricket,'and it seemed a slur on the board that he should not give his opinion here, but go behind the backs of the board members. I was sorry to see that when he did speak he showed surprising ignorance of the board’s affairs. He asked a question about whether payment for the little dredge had been made. I replied that sanction had been given for the payment at the last meeting of the board. As chairman I wondered if I had been doing my job properly. tHot a member did not know what was going on. Apart from this incident the meetings were vety successful, and I did not hear any questions that could not be answered.” Mr Downey; I am surprised at you trying to bring up strife among members of the board. I am entitled to an opinion of my own. I gave it. I cannot climb as well as I used to, and so I did not announce it from the housetops. Nor did I vote for the proposal hete. In fact, your remarks to the ratepayers were very insulting to me. Suppose I had raised my voice against it, you would still have had your own way, and I could not have made my difference. I remember when you proposed to let the lake run out a little earlier than usual I was the only one to object, and you still went on. That affair cost the board £4OO. A member: No. That is ■ not right. You are mistaken in your figures. Mr Macartney: I considered it was not fair to the members of the board who thought we were all unanimous. It is not a personal matter with me. He should have criticised the scheme instead of sitting silently. That is where we get the benefits of members’ opinions and experience. “A Misunderstanding” Mr McLachlan; I think this is a bit of a misunderstanding. It had been thought that the time was hot oppor-| tune for this project; but when we received letters from six ratepayers threatening to prosecute the board if it did not do its job, there was a clear indication of what we were expected ot do. However, I take exception to the chairman’s remark at the meeting that this is one of the dirty things the board has to put up with. I would like to ask what they are. In any case, he should not have mentioned Mr Downey’s name. Mr Macartney: No. I said that this was one of the dirty things a man in my position has to put up with. Mr Downey: It is just unfortunate that you should have mentioned this to-day. You tried to belittle me in front of the ratepayers. I was going to let the matter, drop. Mr F. Coop: Mr Downey might have made a .little indiscretion, but he should have indicated his attitude before. Mr Downey: If my opinion had been asked I would have given it. Mr Macartney: I expect to get it here, Mr Downey. Mr Downey: I thought it just as well to let it go for the ratepayers to decide. I could do nothing on this committee. I suggest the incident be closed. Mr F. Miller: I am sorry this has occurred. It is the first time in the history of the board that a personal difficulty has cropped up. Perhaps Mr Downey slipped in failing to notify the, chairman of his objection. The chairman could reasonably expect members to support his attitude. Before the discussion dropped Mr Coop moved that approval of the worty of Mr Macartney in attending the loan poll meetings should be recorded.