MR. JINKS AGAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1934, Page 11

MR. JINKS AGAIN

ELECTS HIMSELF MAYOR There were many amusing incidents in the recent election of chairmen of the various corporations, urban councils and town commissions in the Irish Free State (reports the “Manchester Guardian”). Fianna Fail (the Government Pai* tv) secured the election of about a 0 chairmen, while General O’Duffy s United Ireland Party secured about 20 the Independents 22, and Labour 7. ’ Three Government Party Mayors were chosen —in Waterford, Kilkenny, and Drogheda. In Wexford a Laboui Mayor was elected. At the meetings of four corporations Clonmel, Waterford, Sligo, and Drogheda—a tie occurred on the first vote, and it was necessary for the senior aiderman to exercise his privilege and decide by a casting vote. At Sligo this procedure led to an amusing situation when Aiderman John Jinks, a foinier Mayor, tied with Alderman Nevin, and, being the senior aiderman, exercised his right and elected himself to the Mayoralty. Thus for the second time within recent years has Mr. Jinks’s name become famous. The previous occasion was in the Dail, when a no-confidence motion was being put to the House. A few minutes before the division Mr. Jinks was not in the Chamber, and, the votes cast for and against beingequal. his absence saved the Government from defeat. Mr. Jinks shortly afterwards lost his seat, but ■ lie had gained so much fame that a successful racehorse was named after him.

“SYMBOLS OF SLAVERY.” I At Drogheda, immediately after Aiderman Walsh had been elected Mayor, he ordered the mace and sword, which lie described as “symbols of slavery,” to bo removed from the council chamber. The Carlow Urban Council adjourned after two hours, no business being done, as there was a tie between the parties. A letter was read from the Department of Local Government stating that in the case of a tie the matter could be decided by lot, but as one member protested that an independent person should do the drawing, and (here was none present, this was abandoned. After many suggestions had been put forward, including drawing for a joker, an,d drawing from a liat, the meeting was adjourned pending a decision from the Local Government Department on the question. At Buncrana (County Donegal) Urban Council meeting, where there were six members of the Fianna Fail Party and six of the Opposition, the Fianna Fail members refused to 'toss for the chairmanship, the council sat for over

five hours with no decision. There was a complete deadlock, and the members stated that they were determined to sit it out “for weeks if necessary.” A telegram arrived from Dublin stating that they must draw lots. The Fianna Fail members refused to accept the telegram as authoritative, stating that no one had asked the Government for its opinion. For an hour and a-half the members sat opposite one another in grim silence; a huge crowd congregated outside; lunch was brought in and eaten in complete silence; and the parish priest arrived and tried to effect a settlement. Members then walked about and, later, bottles of stout were brought in and the crowd laughed heartily at the sound of corks being drawn.- The members sat on with glasses of stout in front of them, and Mr. O’Doherty said they would sit “until the Minister came.” Mr. Cassidy said that even the Minister would not compel them. Then last year’s chairman, Mr. Patrick I. Doherty, who was not re-elect-ed, claimed the right to exercise the casting vote for Fianna Fail and proceeded to do so. Mr. Cassidy thanked the council for electing him, and Mr. Doherty then walked out, saying “Good luck and good health, gentlemen.” The Opposition members shouted at Mr. Cassidy, “You are not elected,” and when he moved a vote of confidence in Mr. de Valera there was an angry scene. After five hours the United Ireland Party members delivered an ultimatum to the Town Clerk that, if lots wera not drawn, they would’ ask the Ministry for an order to compel the council to draw lots. The clerk said he could not draw lots except with the approval of the members. Fianna Fail refused, and the Opposition members walked out. The six Fianna Fail members then appointed Mr. Cassidy Chairman, and also appointed other Fianna Fail officials.