NOTIONS ON A MOTION

Evening Star, Issue 19270, 8 June 1926, Page 3

NOTIONS ON A MOTION

WORDY SKIRMISH AT ST. HILDA DIVIDED COUNCIL ON LOAN QUESTION Notions on n motion among the councillors of the St. KiJda Borough last night made one part of the meeting a battle of words, during which some heated skirmishes and thrusts of impatient indignation _ took place. Tho argument was at first a zephyr, but it increased in force to a good breeze, to fade out again when the subject under discussion had been passed. Notice of motion having been given, Cr A. Telfor moved—“ That the town clerk and foreman prepare a report as to tho cost of completing the tar-seal-ing and the kerbmg and cliannoljng of streets, with a view to submitting to tlie ratepayers a proposal to raise a loan for the purpose of genera! street improvement.” “ Yon all know Unit some of the streets are deplorable,” said the mover, who was quite satisfied that the work eonld not be carried out without money. For the present only a report was asked for. O H. H. Fearr suggested that all the words after “ streets ” be deleted. “ My opinion on the loan question is only too well known.” ho said, “find T want it to be clear that_ in voting for this report, a councillor is not committed to vote for the loans.” Cr H. B. Pattrick; Does the motion mean a report on the streets in the whole of the borough? The Mayor: Yes; that is'evidently the meaning. Cr Pnttnck: That moans that every street in the borough would be kerbed and tax-sealed. The Mayor: A good many are .already done.

“Very comprehensive,” remarked Cr Pattrick with significant stress. Mr Hall: No one, in voting for this motion, is committed to vote for the loan. As far as the question of raising a loan is concerned, wo know that the council is divided. We know, furthermore, that at the present time it is impossible to give effect to this motion until such time as-the drainage work is put in order. Wo know that that is unlikely for some time. If the council feci any pressing for the motion for tho report, then I say tha council will have the right to say whether they authorise the loan or otherwise.

The zephyr came a little more stronger. Cr M'Curdy: You say that all this channelling and kerbing could rot be put in until the drainage work is carried out? • The Mayor: Yes. “ But is' ‘that so?” asked Ct M‘Curdy. “ Well, then, why has channelling and kerbing been done in some streets not connected with the sower?”

Cr Edgar_ entered the debate with the declaration that it was absolutely impossible to drain storm water, unless the kerbing had heeu carried out.

” I don’t think I have anything to retract,” retorted the mayor, who ex plained tho works carried out in various localities in tho borough, and at one stage CT M'Curdy interjected: ”1 know that is not so.”

When Cr Longworth arose tho goutio zephyr changed to a merry breeze. “ Three months ago 1 moved an identical motion, and tile council turned it down. They have slept on it,” lie stated. “ This borough has got to face a loan. Jt is no good tinkering. Two years ago mud tanks Mere all round the district, and in street-forming there was trouble with tho traffic passing over the streets. .How are wo going to got the streets kerbed and channelled without a loan? —it. will be long after you and 1 are in little plots over Anderson’s Bay way. The engineer of the Drainage Board has asked that the kerbing and channeling be cißne before putting in mud tanks. I believe the present engineer’s system is tho best. However, it is a big question. .But I asked tor a report, and i was turned down. I would like to say that this borough and council lias to face it. Our roads are —well, 1 don’t knotv what to call them. We are doing fairly well, but how long is it going to take us to get tho roads in order? It costs money, money.” Rising to a “point of order,” the -Mayor interrupted: “Expose me. It is a question of whether die roads are in bad order or not. I will put the motion.”

.aroused, Cr Longworth heatedly an nonneed: “That is over tho odds! I will stand down on a poitit of order. Will you point it out?” “The main question is not of a loan proposal just now, but the asking lor a report,” was the mayor's ruling. With pronounced indignation, Cr Longworth read tho motion emphatically and at high speed. “That is the motion! Am I out of order?” he demanded heatedly.

Tho Mayor (losing his patience) : 1 say the discussion is out of order. “ How ?”

“ In that the roads will be discussed when the proposals are discussed,” said tho mayor.

“ I bow to your superior knowledge, your Worship,” retorted the councillor as he resumed his seat.

A general storm of words raged, the mayor and the council endeavoring to give more lucid explanations, and (Jr Edgar made some remark. Again the mayor rose quickly, “ I object, Cr Edgar, for these men are just as honest in asking for the report,” Mr flail declared. “If the proposals are not within our moans, no sane men will vote for them. It is only asking the officers to make a report." Cr I’nttrick suggested that the report should he made without any provision of what, might happen afterwards. Every councillor would be in favor of knowing the exact position so as to put the streets in order. When the council knew the cost it. would have to face it, and the council would have to decide whether the loan should he of £IO,OOO or £50,000. Again there was a hub-hub of talk, during which Cr Edgar (who appeared to be in opposition) remarked; “. I can see too far ahead for that. You can’t catch me.”

Cr Fleming said it was out of the question to ask tor loan proposals until n previous resolution against a loan was rescinded. They could do nothing that night. A Councillor: You're wrong.

The Mayor: The motion is quite in order. Yon have all had a say in connection with it. The breeze had not died out. CT Longworth was not finished. “ What is the idea?” he queried. . The Mayor: In asking for the report P “Yes; what is it asked for?” persisted Or Longworth. The Mayor: To complete the kerbing and channeling. Cr Longworth: Oh! The Mayor; Yes; that is the reason for the report. The councillor had' the last say. “ So 1 am out of order in discussing it?” he asked once again.

But the mayor did not answer, and on the motion being put to the conned it was carried on the voices.