HEATED WORDS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 133, 3 December 1930, Page 13

HEATED WORDS

BREEZE IN COUNCIL

"I'LL HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES"

A MAYOR'S HONORARIUM

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") CHRISTCHURCH, 2nd December. An allegation that the Mayor of Timaru (Mr. W. Augland) had acted improperly ml drawing his honorarium before it became due was made by Councillor W. H. Hunt at last evening's meeting of the Borough Council. A sharp passago of words followed, Councillor Hunt being ordered to leave the room, but refusing to "do so; ho also refused to make an apology. In accordance with notice, Councillor Hunt moved: "That in future no Mayor of the Timaru Borough shall be permitted to draw his honorarium, or any part of it, in advance, without the unanimous consent of the council." "This notice of motion is subject' to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, which" stipulates the limit of the allowance to be made to a Mayor," said Air. Angland. "My allowance is made for my term of office, which allowance I have received; therefore, a motion of this sort is beyond our powers, and is not the business of this council. It is out of our hands, and is for a now council to deal with. This being the position, I rule this motion out of order.'' AMOUNTS PAID TO THE MAYOR. A statement tabled by Iho Town Clerk (Mr. E. A. Killiek) showed that on 22nd May, 1929, the Mayor had drawn £125 (six months' honorarium), on 9th October, 1929, a further £125, and on Ist April, 1930, £250 (one year's honorarium). On the first two dates Councillor Hunt countersigned the cheques. In addition, the Mayor was paid £6 12s in March,' 1930, for his expenses to the Municipal Association's annual conference. Councillor Hunt then asked why the motion was ruled out of order. The Mayor: "I'll tell you again if you sit down." Councillor' Hunt: "Thank you. This is not the end of the chapter, I'll see to that." The Mayor: "Take your seat." Councillor Hunt: "I'll take my seat, but I will see about it." The Mayor: "I won't allow yo-u to use that class of language. Next business." Councillor Hunt: "In twelve months you have drawn £500 of the council's money. Do you, as Chief Magistrate of this town, tell me that that is right? I have documentary evidence which shows that you have drawn £500 in twelve months." The Mayor: "Take your seat." Councillor Hunt: "You'll take yours very soon." . . The Mayor: "If you insult me any move I'll have you removed." (To the Town Clerk): "Killick, come here one second." Mr. Killiek returned to his seat. AN APOLOGY REFUSED. The Mayor (to Councillor Hunt): "I order you to take your seat." Councillor Hunt: "I will, but I'll rise again. With your permission I'll leave the room." The, Mayor: "You'll apologise to me before' you, leave." Councillor Hunt: "Never! That's the second time you've ruled mo out of order over this matter." The Mayor: "You apologise." Councillor Hunt: "Never, sir. Before I apologise I'll have you on your bended knees." j The Mayor: "You withdraw that] word." Councillor Hunt: "I will not, and I'm never going to." , The Mayor: "I'll have you removed." , v Councillor Hunt: "There is no need for that. I know my duty as a gentleman. I'll just hear the next business and will then withdraw." The Mayor: "Next business, please." Councillor Hunt remained till the end of the meeting.