STORMY SCENES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 20, 25 January 1911, Page 2

STORMY SCENES.

PETONE COUNCILLORS DIFFER. " COCK-AND-BULL YARNS:* 1 A heated debate took place at the Petone Borough Council meeting last evening, on the matter of a gas complaint, which had formed the subject of discussions at previous meetings of the council. Resolutions dealing with the charges levelled against certain of the council's employees were adopted at the previous meeting, and it was thought that the matter was finally disposed of. Last night, however, Councillor Piper proceeded to move the following batch of motions : — (a) That the resolution adopting the engineer's report at a meeting of the council held on 9th January be rescinded ; (b) that all reference to the failure of Mr. Meyrick's gas supply bo deleted; (c) that the report as altered be adopted. In explaining his reason for moving afresh in the matter. Councillor Piper said it was his desire to apologise to councillors for having been mislead, in another connection, while he regretted the unparliamentary language he had made use of in the heat of the moment, he did not feel it his duty to withdraw anything he had said. In his opinion, reports on matters submitted to the council were sometimes unreliable. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) spoke to some length. He said that after perusing the engineer's report he found it correct in every particular. In the course of a general discussion, Councillor Brocklebank remarked that the fault he had to find with the report in question was that reference to the contentious matter before the council seemed to be unduly brief. Councillor Southgate made a statement reviewing the case, the gist of which was that the investigation had failed to bear out Councillor Piper's allegations. In the opinion of Councillor Short, who took Councillor Piper severely to task for not enquiring thoroughly into the real position before making "such a paltry attack on the officers." It was nothing less than abominable that valuable time of business men should be waster by such twaddle as that Councillor Piper was continually responsible for. He (the speaker) felt very warm on the subject, and it was only on second thoughts that he had decided to refrain from moving a vote of ceneura on Councillor Piper. He felt, however, that in future that councillor would be "a great deal more careful about any tales he brings to us." Of cock-and-bull yarns the council had, said Councillor List, just about enough. Replying to various speakers, Councillor Piper stoutly maintained that he would be failing in his duty as a representative of the ratepayers if, when he thought anything needed investigation, he hesitated to demand an enquiry. He would do. this in spite of Councillor Short's utterly ridiculous objections. After being subjected to some spirited interruption, the speaker wound up by exonerating the gas-fitter from all blame in the matter. Councillor Southgate : It was only your cock-and-bull yarn that made him Councillor Piper : Sir, Sir ! I must protest against these interruptions. . . I'll not have it. You, Councillor Southgate, are an unmitigated bully ! Disorder then ensued, during which Councillor Piper was heard entreating the Mayor to put him (Councillor Southgate) out. Order being restored, the Mayoi closed the discussion, after making some observations Lo Councillor Piper regarding the rules of debate. In the past that councillor, he said, had been allowed too much latitude, but in future he (the speaker) \vould be moro severe. For one thing, no motion containing strictures on any of the council's officers would be allowed unless due notice uras given. There were to be no more "surprise packets." ¦ A division on the motion was then called for, only the mover (Councillor Piper) and Councillor Trueman voting in its favour.