LOWER HUTT BOROUGH

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1925, Page 7

LOWER HUTT BOROUGH

FOREMAN DISMISSED

The Lower Hutt Borough Council decided laat evening, by 6 votes to 2, to dismiss the borough foreman, Mr. J. Collins. The matter arose out of a report of the Works Committee, •which was to the effect that the foreman had spoken in disrespectful terms of Councillor M'Bain. Councillor M'Bain made a statement in regard to the foreman's statement to him that Mr. Strand had divulged to the foreman a statement made in committee by Councillor M'Baiu. Councillor M'Bain said the leakage of what went on in committee was a very serious matter. The Mayor, Mr. Strand, stated that j/6 had not divulged to Collins any statement made in committee. After the matter had been thoroughly discussed, Councillor Watkins moved that Foreman Collins be dismissed on the ground of his remarks about Councillor M'Bain. Councillor Mitchell seconded. Councillor Grierson moved an amendment that the foreman be asked to apologise. Collins was evidently speaking under provocation. Councillor Hobbs. seconded the amendment, and spoke of the foreman's long service, and the fact that he was worried at the time by ill-health in his ilyEach of the other councillors, except the Mayor and Councillor M'Baiu, spoke in favour of the motion, contending that discipline among the employees must be maintained, and that councillors must beprotected. Before putting either the amendment or the motion, the foreman was invited to be present to. answer the question as to whether he made to the Mayor a certain statement. The Mayor at this stage vacated the chair, which was ocoupied by Councillor A. J. Hobbs, Deputy-Mayor. Collins, when asked by the actingchairman if he made the statement, said thai he had not used the words "a dirty trick you served me," and that the words used about Councillor M'Bain by him to the Mayor were: "It is a coldblooded lie that I had. mpre j "than one ,man working in King's road." After Collins had left the room the acting-chairman put Councillor Grierson's amendment, which was supported j by only the mover and the acting-chair- ! man. .

The motion was then put and carried. For: Councillors Meldrum, Teagle, Hunt, Watkins, "Waldie/and Mitchell/Against: Councillors Grierson and Hobbs.