MAYOR RESENTS CUT IN HONORARIUM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 May 1933, Page 4

MAYOR RESENTS CUT IN HONORARIUM.

SHARP DEBATE AT TAKAPUNA. Brisk passages between the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr J. Guihiven, and members of the Council marked a discussion at the first meeting of the newly elected Takapuna Borough Council, says the Herald. The Council Chamber was filled with ratepayers, a large number of whom demonstrated disapproval when Mr M. L. Wilkins moved that the Mayor’s "honorarium should be reduced from £IOO to £BS a year.

In moving the reduction, Mr Wilkins emphasised that the motion did not reflect personally on Mr Guiniven. In view of economies to which the new council was committed it was desired that the Mayor should give an assurance that any economies aff*eting the staff should be shared by the Mayor. Mr Guiniven said a Mayor should' not be called upon to provide out of his own pocket his expenses in connection with borough work, as he now did. The present difficult times made many calls upon the Mayor’s honorarium. “I suppose this is a hit at me by those councillors of my opponent’s ticket,” he said.

This, remark brought several members to their feet with cries of “No.” Mr Guiniven: I take it as an insult to the chair.

Mr Wilkins: No, sir. By the Act we have to fix your honorarium. If we are making reductions they should be proportionate all found. The' Mayor: Previous Mayors did not have to undergo this sort of thing. Mr Wilkins: The borough is not in the same financial position as formerly-

“I was prepared for this,” said the Mayor. “The whole thing was fixed up by six councillors at a meeting the other night.” The deputy mayor and several councillors took exception to Mr Guiniven ’s remarks that a hostile council was opposing him. Mr Wilkins’ motion, on being put to the meeting was defeated.