KARORI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 6

KARORI BOROUGH COUNCIL

AN AGGRIEVED COUNCILLOR. The fortnightly meeting of the Karori Borough Council was held last night. Ihe Mayor, Mr. Cathie, presided, and the following were present: Councillors Bradnock, Burn, Frost, Hamilton, Hildreth, Horn, Nimino, and Standcn. The council decided to refer the plans tor the proposed tram waiting shelter back to the Works Committee for amendment.

the engineers report was read and unanimously adopted. The report dealt chiefly with minor items of business connected with the tramway. A question of lawyer's fees for a prosecution of a breach of the by-laws led to a question by Councillor Burn as to tho efficiency of the staff employed by the council. The Mayor was of'the opinion that it would be wise for tho pn-sent to economise as far as possiblo until tho finance for the coming year was better ascertained. The question of the staff was then referred to the Finanoo Committee.

It was decided that 10 per cent, should be added to outstanding rates after March 15. ' Tho outstanding rates so far this year are considerable.

The business set down for consideration being over, tho Mayor asked if anyono had any questions to put before the council. Thereupon Councillor Nimmo rose and stated that he did not think a certain resolution carried at the last meeting of the council was called for. It was accusing him of "beating" the council for ten shillings. The resolution referred to concerned a building that Mr. iNinimo had erected. The entry in the minute-book ran as-fol-lows:—"The building inspector was in attendance, and reported on tho valuation of a building erected for Mr. Boyes. Mr. Nimmo, the builder, stated that"his contract.was for ,£575. Tho inspector stated he valued the building at <E7OO. His Worship moved: 'That Mr. Nimmo be requested to pay a further fee of ten shillings, tho value of tho work being over JJGOO.' Seconded by Councillor Burn and carried."

The .Mayor slid that he thought Mr. Niinnio was looking at it in a wrong light, and that he had no right to take up such a stand. Ho should uphold his dignity as a councillor, observe the by-laws, and pay tho 10s.

Councillor Nimmo replied that he could not. help taking such a. stand, as he thought it a direct "hit" at himself. It implied that he, as a councillor, was living to "bent tho council," and that it was thus being talked about outside. He did not "stick at. the 105.," hut the council "had taken tho word of the building inspector in the face of facts." The Mayor replied that they had taken tho facts, one cf which was" that Councillor Nimmo had admitted that tho value of the building had been brought up to the amount on which the fee had been charged. Had he wished to comply with tho by-laws, he would have paid the fee at once. "And now," continued the Mnyir, "you are going to take it a step further, and it will perhans even be nece-wirv to end it in the Magistrate's Court."

Councillor Nimmo: "That is my intention. I tell you that if that minute is not erased from the minute-book I will resign from the council." Councilbr Htan:len then rose and expressed deep regret at the attitude of Councillor Nimmo. and hoped that ho would reconsider his words, and pay the Ids. The Mayor let the discussion drop, and the coun-il then rose.