“I’M FULL UP OF IT.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 February 1928, Page 4

“I’M FULL UP OF IT.”

A COUNCILLOR LEAVES MEETING

INTIMATED HE WOULD RESIGN.

“BREEZE” OVER CAMP SITE.

The spending of a small amount on the motor camp site above the amount stipulated by council, because, in his discretion, the Mayor gave authority for this extra amount, was the cause of a “breeze” at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, and some remarks made by Cr. Reid so displeased Cr. Townsend that, after voting, he intimated his intention of resigning, and left the council chamber. The matter of the cost of the camp site had been discussed, and at last meeting it was resolved to secure the borough solicitor’s opinion on the question of the extra expenditure incurred'. That opinion approving of the payment, the general committee recommended that the amount be now paid. The committee’s report was adopted except for. the clause dealing with the recommendation: “That in view of the borough solicitor’s opinion, the amount of extra expenditure re motor camp as shown in the accounts submitted to the I council and finance committee be now passed for payment. Cr. Morrissey began the discussion, by saying that this amount was out of order and he intended to divide the council on the matter. The Mayor, he said, had supported a motion to refer the question to the solicitor and more still had been added to the amount. Actually it was about £l2 more than was authorised. The Mayor should' have explained there was a further amount to come. Ho felt strongly on the subject, no matter what the lawyer said. He considered there was 1 a correct Parliamentary procedure and a definite resolution to spend up to £2OO, and on top of that was an extra amount. He suggested the correct method was to rescind the previous resolution and he thought the thing was wrong. . The Mayor said: “We have earned a resolution and adopted the report except for the clause of the camp site.” Cr. Bayley said he would move that clause 7 be adopted. Replying to Cr. Morrissey he said he would point out that just, now a discretionary power had been allowed .the Mayor and approved, in connection with work that should be done, and they should support the Mayor in this instance also. “Just because this was a camp site,” he added, ‘ ‘ exception was taken. When a matter was left to the Mayor or a councillor, he should be allowed, to use some discretion. ‘ ‘This is only pin-pricking,” he insisted, “and; the Mayor has mv sympathy because of this incessant pin-pricking on this particular subject.” Cr. Townsend seconded. The Mayor, referring to a remark about a resolution being carried on .his casting vote, said he voted os always to give every subject a fair spin and not try to block other people from expressing an opinion. He was prepared to leave such matters to the opinion of the council. He told them they were perfectly within their rights for the majority to Tefuse payment, but he ■would be a poor sort of man to lead, an executive if he did not use at times his discretion. Such occasions required quick thinking and had to be dealt with at once, and he could see the work could not be done any cheaper. Everyone was interested and agreed to facilitate the woTk of the camp site so as to cater for the Christmas tourist traffic. There was nothing, he added, of which he needed at any time to he ashamed. Cr. Morrissey again referred back to the previous resolution carried, he said, on the casting vote of the Mayor. There was no authority to go over the £2OO, and they should remember they were spending public money. He saidthey might go on and on spending. Cr. Simpson said if the Mayor had not done as he did, he would _ have ■been subjected to severer criticism. The extra amount was essential because the inspeetor had said he would not have allowed the site to be used without the added conveniences. As it was, the camp site was one of the best in New Zealand and was still being used and returned, according to Cr Walkley, 10 per cent, interest. The fact that people were still coining showed that the council must not lag behind, and the ratepayers must allow the site to be kept up to date. There was, he added, no need to waste the time of the council. Cr. Reid reiterated that they were not in order because the amount was not passed. The _ Mayor said “go ahead,” and this might mean going ,to £3OO or £4OO. A certain amount of commonsense was, he added, necessary. Cr Bayley urged, he added, that they must support the Mayor, and he quoted another case, w r hieh, Cr Reid affirmed, was a different matter altogether.

Or. Bayley: “Exactly .the same tiling.” The camp site, it was urged, was one of the best in the Dominion. .

“Better than saying one of the worst,” said Cr Simpson. The Mayor said he was always prepared to give credit where credit was due, and this was a case where he hadi done what he thought Tight. Every man had a right and a duty to stick to what he thought best. He added that if any one had been opposed to it he should have said so and had the amount reduced. “It was bad policy,” he said in conclusion, “to spoil the ship for ‘a halfpennyworth of tar.’ ” Cr Reid still said it was quite out of order, and there was a resolution, that all “excess of £2OO be. struck out.” They must first rescind the previous resolution. Cr. Townsend said the solicitor’s opinion had been obtained. Cr. Reid said he considered anyone opposing another councillor'should take in good part any statements made. He still insisted on the rescinding of the first resolution. Cr. Morrissey supported. him and said he rose to a point of order. Cr Lcecc drew attention to the recommendation that any amount over and above that authorised be paid subject to the solicitor’s opinion, which had been obtained... A division showed that those supporting Cr. Bayley ’a motion were: The Mayor, Crs. Townsend, Bayley, Simpson and Lcece, and against Crs. Reid and Morrissey. Cr. Butler did not vote. Cr. Townsend ros£ to say he objected strongly to Cr. Reid’s remarks about ratepayers’ money. He hod always been most careful in such matters. The Mayor said that he was sure there was no reflection on a councillor’s honesty of purpose. Cr. Reid remarked that it was just a failure in commonsense. Cr Townsend: “I’m full up of it,” and, taking his hat. he left the chamber, saying that they could take his resignation. Cr. Morrissey said he regretted the .occurrence, because there was nothing