Lawyer’s letter over petition

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33774, 21 February 1975, Page 14

Lawyer’s letter over petition

A solicitor’s letter has been sent to two persons concerned with the petition to the Waimairi County Council calling for the resignation of Cr L. J. G. Franks.

The petition was received at the council’s December meeting and referred to Cr Franks for his consideration. It arose from the magisterial inquiry into the Wairarapa riding election over a pamphlet written by Cr Franks.

Cr Franks, at last evening’s meeting of the council, said that as the council had referred the petition to him, it was right and proper that he should report back. “This petition has been referred to my solicitor, and in view of the wording of the petition, a letter has been sent to the head petitioner, and to the person said to be the organiser of the petition, pointing out that the wording is offensive and should be withdrawn, and this publicly notified,” said Cr Franks. “Should this course not be taken, there are, of course, other proceedings that can be taken,” he said. Cr F. Chisholm said that it was not right to make threats against a councillor at the council table.

He did not think Cr Franks had done that, said the chairman (Mr D. B. Rich). He asked Cr Franks if he was referring to a councillor. “Not of this council to the best of my knowledge,” said Cr Franks.