Councillor Resigns At Runanga : Prosecution Issue

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 July 1950, Page 2

Councillor Resigns At Runanga : Prosecution Issue

Claiming that the council had failed to observe and honour a resolution passed some time ago, Cr yBarrow tendered his resignation, to last evening’s meeting, of 'the _ kv.nanga Borough Council, following a long discussion on the question of wandering stock. Though no formal acceptance of Cr Barrow’s tion was passed, it is understood that he will not attend further meetings. The matter was raised by Cr narrow when he referred to the continuing menace of wandering stock in Dunollie. He said there had been ■ a lot of complaints over a long period, and residents came to him to have the nuisance abated. He had even been accused of sheltering a ( man because of friendship. i The position had gone from bad to worse, he said, and it had culminated in a glaring example on Monday. Stock were left feeding at the road-1 side tethered to a long rope but un- ■ attended. This was not only dangerous to children, but when a number of cars were passing it had been necessary to drive over the tethering. ropes. All appeals to the man re-; sponsible had failed, and Dunollie people were incensed at the damage caused to lawns and gardens. He. was determined that the practice must stop, and- he was prepared to

give evidence against the /man responsible, having seen the wandering stock himself. He had informed the man responsible that he intend-, ed asking the council to prosecute, and had invited him to attend the, council meeting if he desired. Legal Action Wanted Cr Barrow moved that the council take legal action immediately. Cr O. Bergh, seconding the motion, said he had seen evidence of wandering stock at his own residence, and he knew the feeling of Dunollie people over the menace. The Mayor (Mr G. E. English) said that prior to the commencement of the council meeting he had been called from the meeting room to see a resident who desired to meet the

council. Not knowing the case just made by Cr Barrow, he had informed the person that the council would not be available to receive a deputation for some considerable time, and it would be advisable not to wait. For that reason alone, he thought it would be better if the person was given another opportunity to meet the council and any legal action be deferred- until after the other party had been heard.

Cr Barrow said that finality should be reached that night. He suggested sending a message and having the person return to the meeting. Cr J. Anderson moved and Cr A. Fisher seconded an amendment that the person be advised that the council was prepared to hear him at the next council meeting and that legal action be postponed until after he had been heard.

A second amendment, by Cr S. Braithwaite, that a telephone message be sent asking the man to meet the council that evening, was not seconded. i

The amendment was supported by Crs Anderson, Fisher, Braithwaite and W. Rafferty, and the motion by the movers only. Following the declaration that the amendment had been, carried, Cr .Barrow rose and said that he regretted that it was necessary for him to tender his resignation as a councillor. He had given nine years of service to the borough, and he regretted that the council had not acted in accordance with its own minute, which laid it down that the council would prosecute when definite information was offered of wandering stock. He felt he had no alternative but to resign. He thanked the Mayor and councillors for the hearing they had given him over the years, and regretted the necessity for his action. Democratic Vote The Mayor said the decision made was by a democratic vote. There was no suggestion of withdrawing the proposed prosecution, but • rather postponing it until the man had been heard. As far as he was concerned the prosecution would go on. He felt I that, under the circumstances, he had I been unwittingly the means of deny- | ing the man a hearing and he thought it was only right that the man should have that opportunity before any action was taken.

Other councillors expressed regret at the decision of Cr Barrow to resign and emphasised that they supported in his desire to remove the danger of wandering stock. He was asked to reconsider his resignation.

Cr Earrow said he was tired of the complaints he had received over the matter, and he felt that the council should have taken a stand. He would not withdraw his resignation. Later in the meeting, the council decided to prosecute those who had not secured licences for dogs.