Mayor of Queenstown “irate” about report

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32776, 29 November 1971, Page 5

Mayor of Queenstown “irate” about report

(N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Nov? 28. The Mayor of Queenstown (Mr W. E. Cooper) was irate today about a Press Association report of a case in the Supreme Court at Christchurch, in x repsect of remarks made by an Invercargill lawyer Mr T. L. Savage to Mr Justice Wilson in connection with the sentencing of a Queenstown man.

It was reported that Mr Savage had told his Honour that “things happen in Queenstown commercially which would not be considered acceptable in other centres, and that it was not uncommon for some business to be done in the hotel in thb evenings and for irregular things to be accepted as commonplace.”

Mr Cooper said he considered this statement impugned the good name of Queenstown business people, and was a serious accusation which would be difficult to substantiate.

“The remarks imply,” Mr Cooper said, “that Queenstown business people have a low standard of business ethics. An apology from Mr Savage would be in order, as business is conducted in Queenstown along the same lines as in a larger centre.” On Mr Cooper’s comments being referred to Mr Savage this evening, Mr Savage said the full context of his remarks and their relevance to the matter had not been published. “I do not feel that it would be proper for me to be drawn into a debate with Mr Cooper on the matter,” he said.