A SCENE IN THE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1726, 18 February 1874, Page 4

A SCENE IN THE DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL.

At a sitting of the r Dunedin City Council held on the evening of the 4th mat., the question of calling for plans foi the erection of a Town Hall in the Octagon led to a scene. Cr. Walter moved the adjournment of the question for a fortnight. From this point, says the Star, the proceedings were very irregular. Shortly before eleven, Cr. Walter got on his feet with the avowed object of talking against time. Though subjected to innumerable interruptions by reason of points of order being raised and his statements questioned, he kept possession of the chair until midnight, when half-an-hour's adjournment for refreshment was granted On resuming, Cr. Walter again held forth, this time fortified with the autobiography of J. S. Mill, which he threatened to read. When he required a rest Cr. Ram Bay would rise and move an adjournment, which, of course, would be negatived, but the discussion on and settlement of points of order gave breathing time to Cr. Walter, who at once went on with renewed vigor. Thus it went on until Cr. Prosser succeeded in persuading the Mayor that the standing order stipulated that not more than two amendments could be moved by one person. This ruling practically shut up Cr. Ramsay, but his ally, Cr. Barnes, stepped into the breach and expressed his determination to speak for a good two hours. Thereupon another adjournment was asked for. Cr. Ramsay thought ten and a half hours' rest would lead councillors to approach the matter in a calmer and more conciliatory spirit. — The Mayor tendered his advice, which was rejected by the majority, who carried an adjournment for an hour for more refreshments. At three o'clock .business was resumed, and Cr. Barnes commenced to speak. He made an onslaught on Cr. Reeves for "tampering" with the motion before the Council, by inserting without the Council's permission, words in it during the adjournment. — Cr. Ramsay followed in a similar strain, and moved that that Councillor should be censured, but found no seconder, Cr. Reeves having explained that he had merely written in pencil a couple of words the insertion of which he intended to move on the first opportunity. He then moved the insertion of the words "or about" after "the frontage to commence." This having been agreed to, Or. Prosser moved that the words " and also to prepare all information that may j be required by architects in drawing their plans for competitive designs" be struck out, which was done, and the resolution in its amended form was adopted by 5 to 3. Finally, Cr. Prosser moved, "That the Octagon be the only site for the Town Hall," for which there voted Councillors Frosßer, Burt, Wooland, Beck and Reeves; and against it Councillors Walter, Ramsay, and Barnes. At 4. 30 in the morning the Council adjourned for a short time. Two citizens, Mr Falconer, the acting Town Clerk, and four or five reporters were the sole listeners to the edifying (?) proceedings. Shortly after the Council reassembled the second time, some individual of an exploring turn of mind found his way to the meter, and turned off the gas. When light was restored, one Councillor ventured to hint that one of the reporters had played the trick, but to the astonishment of the whole civil body, the sole representative of the Fourth Estate who remained at his post denied the impeachment in terms more forcible than polite. This slight occurrence was the only relief to six hours' meaningless talk.