UNFAIR SUGGESTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 146, 5 June 1936, Page 5

UNFAIR SUGGESTION

Mr. Lassen and Interests of Hastings

Resentment of a question put to the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board, Mr. C. Lassen, by Mr. J. M. Runciman. counsel for the Napier Borough Council, at the Government Committee of Inquiry this morning, was expressed by Mr. H. H. Holderness. counsel for the Hastings Borough Council. Mr. Runciman suggested to Mr. Lessen that, as member of the Rivers Hoard tor Hastings he was “out to get all he could lor Hastings.’’ Mr. Lassen denied this and the. chairman, Mr. A. J. Baker, asked Mr. Runciman to withdraw the inference. Mr. Runciman: You are chairman of the board and representative for Hastings ? Mr. Lassen: Yes. And I suggest that you are out to get all you can for Hastings?—“No. All 1 am concerned with is what is a fair thing for Hastings.” Mr. Runciman: 1 mean Mr. H. H. Holderness (counsel for Hastings Borough Council):Don’t add to it. Mr. Runciman. It is insulting enough. Mr. Runciman: 1 didn't suggest rnything improper on Mr. Lassen’s part. Mr. Holderness; You did. Mr. Runciman: I suggest that it is Mr. Lassen’s job to get the best he can for Hastings The chairman Mr. A. J. Baker: I think you had better withdraw that mterencc. Mr Runciman. Mr. Runciman: T still maintain that I bad no suggestion whatever of any thing improper on Mr. Lassen’s part. Mr. Lassen: I am not a bit worried, Mr. Chairman. The matter then dropped.