ACT OF CENSURE

Evening Post, Issue 66, 15 September 1936, Page 4

ACT OF CENSURE

TELEGRAM OFFENDS

DEPUTY MAYOR REMOVED

FROM OFFICE

(Special to tho "Evening Post.") PALMERSTON N., This Day. Following up a telegram sent by Councillor J. Hodgens, M.P., to the Town Clerk, regarding the conduct ofthe inquiry into the staffing at the gasworks, the City Council last night, at a special meeting, passed resolutions removing Councillor Hodgens from the positions of Deputy Mayor and chairman of the lighting committee, and as the city's representative on the. committee negotiating with the Power Board in the electrical dispute. Councillor Hodgens was not present, as he was obliged to be in Wellington as Chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives. Councillor W. B. Tennent announced that owing to the wording of the telegram he is taking court proceedings against Councillor Hodgens. • "The duty I have to carry out tonight is probably the most unpleasant that I have had to perform during my term of office as Mayor," stated Mr. A. E. Mansford: "It is to propose a resolution which amounts to censure of a member of this council, and, further, of one whom I have looked upon as a close friend for nearly thirty years, and who has acted as my deputy during the whole of the time I have been in the position of Mayor. Shortly put,' the position is this: the council was investigating the appointments, dismissals,, and disrating of members of the staff at the electrical and gasworks over the past three years, and general costs and management of the gasworks, and if political or personal influence had been used at the works in regard to appointments or dismissals. This inquiry has been going on for some weeks. Councillor Hodgens attended the first meeting, and at the next sent a telegram asking that certain questions should be put to the witnesses, and this I have done on every occasion. The inquiry was continued last Monday particularly to allow Councillor Hodgens to be present. However, he did not avail himself of the opportunity. You can, therefore, imagine my surprise, and that of the council, on getting the following telegram on Tuesday last when the inquiry was resumed."

* The Mayor then read the telegram, portions of which, it was later announced by Councillor W. B. Tennent, would be the subject of Supreme Court proceedings. The Mayor added: "By that wire Councillor Hodgens forfeits the good' will of, I should say, every member of the council. As Mayor I have a duty to the members of the council and a-duty to the citizens."