CITY RESERVE BILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18217, 3 October 1919, Page 11

CITY RESERVE BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —If Councillor W. Nicholls is the man I take him to bo he will promptly apologise for his misrepresentation of my action in connection with the Christchurch City Reserve Bill. Last session the town clerk wrote to me as the senior city member enclosing the Bill and asking mo to introduce it. I told some of my senior brother members that I was personally opposed to it, .ind asked them what 1 ought to do. They were unanimous in saying tbat it was my duty to introduce the Bill, state the council's reasons for asking for it and then state that I was personally opposed. I, therefore, took charge of the Bill, found that all the Christchurch members were opposed to it and there was not the slightest chance of its passing, and advised the .Mayor to withdraw it, but asked in went of their proceeding for a summary of their arguments in its support. I received these typewritten, and had the Bill proceeded should have reaa them to the House. The Bill did not secure a hearing, and early this session I communicated with the town clerk again advising its withdrawal, and in reply received authority to withdraw it, ind have done so. On this purely perfunctory performance of the duty attached to my position to be saddled by Councillor Nicholls with tho responsibility of the measure is irritating, and I wait the councillor's withdrawal of his unjust change.—l am etc., LEONARD M. ISITT. House of Representatives, Wellington, October 1.