FINAL OUTBURST

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 13

FINAL OUTBURST

CR SiLVERSTONE AGAIN LEAKAGE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION % ATTACK DIRECTED AT CR MITCHELL “ Cr Mitchell goes out of the council with an unenviable reputation 1”_ This was Cr Silverstone’s parthian shot when launching a bitter attack at the meeting last night of the _ City Council over the action of Cr Mitchell (who has retired from the council) in divulging information purely intended for councillors to private sources. The information that leaked out concerned the legal work in connection with municipal houses. Cr Mitchell made no reply to Cr Silverstone’s but the mayor (Itev. E. T. Cox) said that the work, involving transfers over the houses was dealt with solely by the city solicitors, though any other work connected with them could be done by any solicitor the person interested in the transfer nominated.

Certain letters of a private nature were in the keeping of the council officers, said Cr Silverstone, introducing his allegation. Not being council business councillors themselves did not obtain that information. It would have been most improper for the council officers to abuse that trust and involve themselves in a breach of faith. When letters were published in the Press relating to that information Cr Silverstone said he asked the town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston) how the leakage occurred. He had been quite open about .the position, and admitted that the only persons who possessed the information were himself and his assistant. On inquiries being made it was discovered, said Cr Silverstone, that Cr Mitchell had made application to the town clerk for the information by first signing a form. Then the news was handed to private persons and then published in circular form under the auspices of the Citizens’ Committee, of which Mr H. L. Gibson was the secretary. The information was next passed on to every legal firm in the city. Cr Silverstone considered that such an action was most reprehensible. It was a pity that Cr Mitchell should stoop to such tactics. He would go out of the council with an unenviable rephtation. There was applause from a section of the gallery, and the Mayor told the council’s audience that no demonstrations were permitted on any topic that was discussed.

The Mayor said that he thought it should be made clear that all transfers were carried out by the city solicitor, aud other work connected with them could be handled by any other solicitor. Cr Silverstone endorsed his remarks. Cr Mitchell had nothing to say, and there was no further discussion. STIGMA REFUTED. Earlier in the evening Dr D. G. M'Millan, M.P., in moving the adoption of the report of the E.P. and L. Committee, also directed a pointed reference to Cr Mitchell, who had written a letter criticising the department. The habit had been first set by Cr Allen, and Dr M'Millan was sorry to see Cr Mitchell following suit in publishing abroad what had happened in committee. ' This was something to be deprecated. Proceedings were taken in committee for good and proper reasons. The list of profits given by Cr Mitchell in this letter was incorrect, his figures being an underestimate. “I strongly object to Cr M'Millan saying that 1 divulged anything that happened in committee,” declared Cr Allen. “ I clearly recollect a decision of Your Worship’s that anything discussed in committee and confirmed in council was then open for public consideration.” The Mayor concurred, saying that this was the procedure that had always been adopted.