Invitation accepted

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 1

Invitation accepted

Six Citizens' councillors on the Christchurch City Council last evening attended the Mayoral reception for the Prime Miinster (Mr Kirk) and Mrs Kirk in the restaurant at Christchurch Airport; the other two Citizens* councillors were out of town.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr N. G. Pickering) issued invitations to the eight Citizens’ councillors yesterday after it was reported that they felt slighted at not being invited to the function after the public part of the Mayoral reception.

The 11 Labour councillors at present in Christchurch had all been invited previously. MAYOR PLEASED In a statement yesterday, Mr Pickering said he had issued invitations, and that he was extremely surprised to see how seriously the Citizens’ councillors viewed the fact that they were not invited to the Mayoral reception to “the Labour Party Prime Minister, Mr Kirk.” “I must say that the publicly expressed desire of the Citizens’ councillors to meet the Labour Prime Minister has pleased and impressed me,” Mr Pickering said. He also said he would discuss with Mr Kirk a civic welcome to be held in the Town Hall next year. As a civic function, it would have all councillors and representatives of adjoining local bodies as guests, he said.