OTIRA TUNNEL OPENING

Evening Star, Issue 18335, 24 July 1923, Page 8

OTIRA TUNNEL OPENING

the GOVERNMENT INVITATIONS.

A CITY COUNCILLOR’S PROTEST.

JSpkial to thh ‘Stab.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, July 23. , The point as to who is being invited by the Government to attend the ceremonies connected with the opening of the Otira tunnel on August 4 was raised at the meeting of the City Council to-night. The Canterbury Progress League, wrote that it proposed to hold) a dinner in Cnnstchurch on the evening August 4, and to invite the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and M.P.s, the chief railway and public works officers, and contractors to be present. The cost of the dinner was ■estimated -at per head, and as the finances of the function depended upon tne number of tickets soldi the league desired to ascertain the names of councillors who wished to purchase tickets. Cr Andrews movod L -g“ That the letter bo received, and councillors be asked to notify the town clerk if they wished to attend the dinner.” Cr Agar said that the City Council should be officially represented at the tunnel opening celebrations. A delegation could be appointed! for the purpose, the expense to be borne by the council. Cr E. J. 'Howard, M.P., said it did not appear that the council had received any invitation at all. The motion proposed by Cr Andrews was carried by 12 votes to 5. Cr Howardi ‘‘Have we received any official invitation to the opening?” The Mayor: “No.” Cr Howard: “I understand a certain number of councillors have been invited. Was that as councillors or as private people?” Cr Headland: “I received one privately.” The Mayor: “Mine was in my own name.”

Cr Agar: “I was invited as president of the Commercial Travellers' Association." Cr Howard'! “It is quite patent that what the Government haa done is to invite men of its own side.” Councillors: “No, no!” Cr Howard: “It is quite plain that the Government invited men of its own party, and nono from our side. I have pot all I want, and I will raise the matter in the House. I understand six councillors have received invitations.” Or Winsor: “I received one.” Cr Andrews: “As a councillor?” Cr Winsors “No.” •Cr Andrews: “ I did not receive one at all” The Mayor: “Mine was addressed to me in my personal name, with ‘mayor’ added.” Cr Howard,: “It’s Reform's dirty work.” The Mayor: “Oh, no!” Cr Howard: “Oh, yes!” This closed the discussion.