MAYOR HOOTED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 July 1926, Page 7

MAYOR HOOTED.

UPROAR IN COUNCIL MEETING. PROTEST AGAINST RATE LEVY. (Bf TELEGRAPH —PKKfW ASSOCIATION.) WANGANUI. June 29. The Wanganui City Council to-night ■amoved the- privilege ot conducting' its business befoie a mass meeting of tate-pav-cM-s. whose presence in the Council Chamber was the upshot of recent protects against the raised rates-, which are estimated to bring in £34,700 nnne than bist vear. Opportunity was tftken to-night to present a deputation urging a reduction in the rates. r ihc deputation consisted of two speakers, Messrs S. K. I loft d and W. J. Rogers, who were hacked or. bv hundreds of ratepayers. ciowtliug every part of the •space in the large Council C’hantbei. After the deputation had spoken, the Mayor (Mr Hope Gibbons) outlined the council's policy and financial propcals. He was subject to considerahle heckling, and at times con’d not. proceed owing to the uproar. 1 he proposal to acquire Gordon Park for the city came in for particularly :ivO'Iv r i iticisiu. 'The Mayor said the p:ii(;ha.se would involve OA-cl in •p.v<?ry £5 of rates. He offered to pay dm ami lint, ol 9fd ior any ratepn v ers who could not afford it. A voice: Talk business. not chanty. The meeting ended in uproar when the Mayor declined to permit Mr Rogers, a member of the deputation, to address the ratepayers further. After the flavor had replied to the delegates’ remarks. Mr Rogers advised the "people to continue their protests n,gainst the higher rates. 1 lie Mayor burred further discussion, asking the deputation to withdraw. 4 here was, a chorus of hoots and cries of Resign !” and tii* ratepayers withdrew trom the chamber.