HOT WORDS OVER THE LIGHT AREA

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 79, 3 April 1914, Page 3

HOT WORDS OVER THE LIGHT AREA

COUNCILLOR HINDMARSH AND THE MAYOR Out ol an insignificant remark at the City Council last evening rose a heated discussion vhich looked at one time as if it would develop into a "scene." The basis o£ the matter was tho allegation made by Councillor Hindmarsh against the conduct of two councillors hi respect to the granting of a light area to Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Co. The allegations have already been before the public. ' Councillor Godbei last night protested against tho failure of the Finance Committee to make any reference to the allegations in its report. He thought there should be no delay in giving him ah opportunity to refute the charges. The Mayor said the committee bad been very pressed for time and had deferred the matter till the next meeting. Councillor Godb«V could vest assured that do councillor was more esteemed than he was. s At this both Councillors Hiridmarsh and Fuller rose and protested, though in the hubbub it was impossible to catch the full tenor of their lemarks. Councillor Fuller was understood to say that the Mayor's remarks were not failto Councillor Hiiidmavsh. Councillor Hindmarsh, surcharged with indignation, said the remarks of the Mayor wele most uncalled for.- He was astonished the Mayor had so far forgotten his position as to make them. It was not a pleasant matter to go into, but he was not going to allow these things to pass unnoticed. " I know my duty," he cried, " and I intend to do it. I am 'not going to sit< here and allow officers of the council to say that an improper thing was done by. the council. It is a very serious matter indeed for the Tianiivay Board to say the council did an improper thing " To the Mayor : If you think you can get rid of that 'sting by saying that the councillor is esteemed in the City of Wellington— The Mayor : So he is. Councillor Hindmarsh : What has that got to do with it? I want to know whether _ tlie charge that the council did an improper thing is justified or not. I have attempted more than once to get this matter faced, but I have received no {issi3tanct from the council. The Mayor : Yes, you have. Councillor Fuller : Yes, you have. Councillor Hindmarsh : Mot the assistance ,1 expected. I expected that when an officer reported to the council that land that the council owned and wanted had been parted with — — Councillor Buddie : A point of order, sir. The Mayor. When a statement is made from the chair, and a councillor objects, I am not going to stultify matters. Councillor Hindmarsh: You and all the councillors know I have made an allegation against Councillor Godber. I consider it an insult to me to say that he is so honoured by the citizens of Wellington that there is nothing in my allegation The Mayor : He would not .be lieve if he wasn't honest. Councillor Hindmarsh : Oh, nonsense ! ( The Mayor : I will allow you every liberty, but you must keep within bounds. Councillor Hiridmarsh: 1 am not easily turned aside I intend to have this matter out with Councillor Godber. Councillor Godbei". 1 am ready for you. Councillor Hindmarsh: And 1 intend to k6 into other uuittuis with Councillor Godber — ma I ten* connected with £he milk supply, aiul other matters! ' Tho Mnyor: 1 cannot ullow that. Conline yourself lo tho 'jurstion Councillor llindniaisli : I hope to be able lo bliuv. that iv futuic Councillor Godber will nab get tho confidence of the citizyns uf Wellington. Councillor Godber laughed. Councillor Hindmarbh : You may very veil laugh. I intend to Mippoil my allegations. 1 intend to do my duty to the tropic who have tu'iit nu 1 here, >ugardJfHia of you (tho Majoi) or anybody else. Tim Minor tboii closed the question by jitouusiiiij that the matter would come up at dt the next meeting. 'I he question of considering the appuintmenK of' a special committee could then be discussed.