Councillor ordered out of meeting

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33487, 19 March 1974, Page 1

Councillor ordered out of meeting

A Christchurch City councillor was ordered from the council chamber by the Mayor (Mr N. G. Pickering) during the council’s meeting last evening — and invited to return 15 minutes later.

“I have had enough of your indolence this evening,” Mr Pickering told Cr P. J. It Skellerup, a Citizens’ Association councillor since 1958 and top-polling candidate at the last city council elections.

The incideht occurred during a debate on an application from the Roman Catholic Church for permission to alter the interior of the Barbadoes Street Cathedral. It came while Cr D. F. Caygill was speaking and Cr Skellerup raised a point of order.

"Would Cr Caygill address himself to the chair and not to Cr Carter as he is now doing?” said Cr Skellerup. "I thought that was what he was doing.” said Mr Pick ering. “He must be cock-eyed." said Cr Skellerup as he sat down again. The “he” to which he referred was not specified. “You will either apologise to the chair or leave the chamber," Mr Pickering ordered. “What for? What have 1 got to apologise for?” “You will leave the chamber. Immediately.” Cr H. J. Hay, leader of the Citizens’ Association Councillors, and Cr M J. Carter, both rose to their feet, presumably in defence of Cr Skellerup.

Before they had a chance to speak, Mr Pickering asked that they resume their seats.

“There will be no discussion on this. You will resume your seats and Cr Skellerup will remove himself from this chamber. That is al) that will be said,” said Mr Pickering.

Cr .Skellerup asked again whv he had been ordered to leave.

“Out of due deference to your long years of service to the city, I am quite willing for you to return,” Mr Pick ering said. Cr Skellerup resumed his seat for the remainder of the meeting. At the closure Mr Pickering said he was glad to see Cr Skellerup back. “We have known each other for a long time. But it is essential that all remarks be addressed to the chair,” he said.

“I have had enough of your insolence. Earlier this evening you used some very unparliamentary words and walked out. This time 1 am telling you to leave,” said Mr Pickering He was referring to an earlier altercation when he had over-ridden an objection by Cr Skellerup to re-opening < a report which had already been adopted. On that occasion Cr Skellerup had muttered and had left the chamber for about three minutes. Fifteen minutes after he had been ordered from the chamber, Cr Skellerup was invited to return.