HELD-UP

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 8, 4 October 1918, Page 6

HELD-UP

CITY COUNCIL DEADLOCK

MAYOR ALLEGES DISOESPECTFULNESS

COUNCILLORS LEAVE THE

CHAMBER

Tliero was much/ ado about nothing nt • tho City Council last evening. When the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) wip moving the adoption of a committee report 110 stopped and requested Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald to resume his, seat, not'to bo talking while the Mayor was speaking, and to respect the chair. , Councillor Fitzgerald immediately went to his seat. He said that lie had not shown disrespect to the chair, but lie objected to being spoken to like a schoolboy. "I respect..the chair," he said, "but you must show respectto mo also. I represent citizens of' Wellington. I will not be spoken to in that manner—please remetuber that."

The Mayor said that if Councillor Fitzgerald continued like that lie would have to ask him to withdraw his remarks.

Councillor Fitzgerald: 1 would not do so. ,

The Mayor, after'a little hesitation, sat down and leaned back in his chair.

There was a couple of minutes' silence, during which councillors picked up order-papers and gazed intently at. them.

'At length, Councillor A. R. Atkinson expressed the opinion that the council should go on with tho next business.

The' Mayor said that he was not going to resume tmtil Fitzgerald withdrew what lie had said. Councillor Fitzgerald said that he had never been afraid to play tne man, and if tho Mayor could show _ him where lie had /offended the chair lie .would withdraw tho romark, as he had no wish to disrespect the chair. , The Mayor -remained silent. Councillor Atkinson: Surely this is no way to treat us. Wo ar.e not here like a lot of schoolboys. The Mayor declined to proceed until Councillor Fitzgerald had withdrawn the words which offended tho Mayor.

Councillor Fitzgerald again asitefl the Mayor to state Wliat the words were/ but the Mayor did ugt supply tho information.

' v Councillor Atkinson: Have the words taken down.

Councillor Fitzgerald: Yes, let us hear what they are.

One or two councillors .suggested that business might proceed .if Councillor Fitzgerald could see'his way to oxpress regret. Councillor', Fitzgerald snid that !ie was willing to do that if the -Mayor could telUhim where tho offence 'ay.

Councillor Atkinson moved that the council should adiourn for a week.

Councillor J. O. Shorla/ml seconded

Councillor J. Castle hero observed 'that he was tl» cause of all the trouble,'as he■ had got talking to Councillor Fitzgerald. 1 Councillor Atkinson: Paint of order. Is my motion to be pu,t?

The Mayor said that'lie was not going to put any motion. Councillor Atkinson: Then I am not going to stay here. It is scandalous treating tho council Jike- this—keeping us sitting hereJik'o a lot ,of dummies. The Mayor repeated his refusal to put tho motion and leaned back in his chair again. ' j

Councillor Atkinsoii: Is my motion going to bo put? ' The Mayor said the council should support the chair. Ho wanted someone to move a motion to get over the deadlock. . ; .

Councillor Atkinson said ho. had suggested a way out—-"a week for ;ou to get over your temper." Councillor Shorland: I'think if Councillor Fitze;ei'akl jiegged your pnrdon that would be. sufficient.

Councillor Fitzgerald: Of course, I would; do that, 'fell mo where I was wrong and I will' withdraw it.

The Mayor: Xoit spoke very disrespectfully to the chair. r As the Mayoi;'did not proceed with the business, Councillors- Atkinson and Fitzgerald left the chamber, and Councillor Luckie also was out of the

_ The Mayor .then proceeded ;with the business.