CORE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, Issue 17, 19 April 1895, Page 3

CORE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the abov Council was held in the Town Hall oi Tuesday evening last. There were presen bis Worship the Mayor (Mr T. H. Brewer) Councillors Philp, Gibbs, Carraody ' Kennedy, Martin, Poppelwell, and Wallia The minutes of the previous meetins weie r^ad and confirmed. AN APOLOGY DEMANDED. A letter was read from Mr D. P. M'Kec3ie, yard keeper at the Corporation sale yards, complaining of the language and conduct of Mr I. S. Simeon, auctioneer, at the sales on Tuesday, the 9th inst. He explained that Mr Simson on that occasion had the first pen to offer for sale, but did not put in an appearance till 20 minutes after the proper time, and an other auctioneers also had pens for sale, Mr M'Kenzie passed Mr Simeon's pen and started the next one. When Mr Sirason arrived, the writer alleged, he used abusive and threatening language. Mr. M'Kenaie asked the Council to protect him when carrying out his duty, as it was not the first time he had been attacked in a similar manner. The Mayor said he was present at the time, and heard very hard words used by Mr Sira u on. He substantiated what Mr M'Kenzie had said, and was at one with him that he should be protected in the discharge of his official duties. Mr Philp was also present, and could bear out what had been said. Mr Simson was entirely in the wrong, the language used by him being both abusive and insulting. Mr Martin : The yard-keeper should take action against Mr Simson. The Council cannot tie Mr Simson's tongue, and it is no use trying. I think it is a great piiy that an official of the Council should be abused like that for doing his duty. The Council should protect the yard-keeper. I can see no reason why we should put up with caddishness from a man who ought to know better. The only thing is to suggest to the yard-keeper to take action against Mr Simson for abusive language. The Council meeting is no place to take evidence. It is not the first time a complaint has been made against Simaon. Tha thing has come to a climax, and the Council should take some stand. I move : " That the Council should suggest to Mr M'Kenzie to lay an information against Simson for abusive language." Mr Gibbs : It appears that Mr Simson has abused our yard-keeper, and as the keeper is m the night, Mr Simson should be punished. If the keeper were in the wrong we would punish him. Tha yard-keeper should be instiucted to take action on behalf of the Council against Mr Simson, and to employ the borough solicitor. The keeper has a right to look to the Council for protection. The Mayor did not think it would be advisable to go too far, seeing it was the first time the matter had come before them. - Mr Martin : It is not the first time Mr Simson's conduct has been complained of. Mr Gibbs : It is not the first time, your Worship. Mr Martin : 'ihe Council should instruct the yard-keeper to issue a summons if the money is not paid. The Mayor : Of course, we know that Mr Simson is very hasty, and perhaps be is sorry for what he said. He says things for which he is very sorry afterwards. I think in this case the keeper has good reason to demand an apology from Mr Simeon. We, as a Council, should instruct our keeper to ask Mr Simeon to apologise. By abusing our inspector, I take it he is insulting us as a body, and therefore he would be apologising* not only to the keeper, but also to us as a local body. Then, if Mr Sirason won't apologise, I say, there are ways and means to check him. Mr Kennedy : We all know how very hasty Mr Simfion is : perhaps he is very sorry now. We should give him a chance. Mr Martin : Too many chances. The Mayor : We have plenty of cvi dence to punish Mr Simson, because he was awaro it was a public place. If Mr Sirason does not: apologise we should take extreme steps, Mr Martin : Put the motion in this form : " That the Council take action against Mr Simson." It is a thing which ought to be stopped. It is a question whether Mr Siißison is a proper person to whom to issue a license. Mr Gibbs : 1 second that — the men should be protected. Mr Kennedy : I move " That Mr Simson be asked to apologise for the language he used at the sale yards a few days ago, and that if he does not apologise the. Council take proceedings." Mr Philp seconded this. Mr Kennedy : He is a hasty-tempered man, and we should give him a chance. The Mayor : The only thing against this is that we are basing our ac'ion simply on the keeper's report. Perhaps Mr Simson can bring evidence on the other side to combat what has been said. Mr Gibba : He should be allowed 48 hours. The Mayor : The amendment then is : "That Mr Sirason bp asked to apologise within 48 hours to the Borough Council for the abusive language used by him at the eale yards towards our keeper." ; Mr Martin : And failing that, what then? Mr Kennedy : Failing that, proceedings to be taken. Mr Martin : I stick out for my motion. The amendment was put to the meeting, all councillors present voting for it with the exception of Messrs Martin and Gibbs. Later on in the evening a letter was read from Mr Sirason complaining that friction had been caused at the yards owing to want of regulation, and that those using the pens were at the will of the yardkeeper. The time for starting, ho said, was sometimes a quarter te one and sometimes half past 12. Two of the pens bore the same number and confusion was caused. He also suggested that a reduction should be made in the yard dues, which were out of keeping with the low prices obtained. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Poppelwell, seconded by Mr Gibbs : " That the matter be referred to the Yards Committee, to report at next meeting," and Mr Philp was added to the committee. NEW ZEALAND HANDBOOK. Mr W. Herbert-Jones, F.R.G.S., wrote from Dunedin under date April 12, 1895, covering the prospectus of a New Zealand Handbook to be compiled by him, aad inviting the Council to furnish information regarding the district for publication therein. Mr Jones added that photographs for the purpose of illustration would be very acceptable, and asked the Council to favour him, if possible, before April 30th. Mr Martin moved and Mr Gibbs seconded : v That the matter bo left to the town clerk, who shall übo his own discretion in the matter." — Carried. A NEW VERANDAH. The Mayor said that Mrs Gleeson had apoken to him jibont the erection of a

verandah in front of her shop, and si had intended to formally ask the pc \ mission of the Council. The usual cond c tions would be complied with. n . It was decided on the motion of ft I 1 Poppelwell, seconded by Mr Philp : " Thi *' permission be granted." I, ESTIMATES. c; The clerk laid on the table a statemec oi the estimated receipts and expenditut for the period between April 1, 1895, an _ ' March 31, 1896, published in anothe " column. ; TRAFFIC BRIDGE . ; Mr S. Percy Smith, Surveyor-General j wrote covering the original copy of th( t Governor's warrant authorising the con- [ struction of the bridge, and apportioning , the construction of the expenditure. The Mayor said that since the procla mation had been published the Fnance Committee had taken some preliminary steps, and Mr Hagget had been communicated with. The Committee were onlj waiting his reply. It was decided on the motion of Mi Gibbs, seconded by Mr Martin : " That the letter be received, and that the necessary advertising be gone on with. This was all the butiness with the exception of consideration of Mr Poppelwell's motion to borrow £1,500, reported elsewhere.