THE BOROUGH COUNCIL'S QUARTERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1907, Page 3

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL'S QUARTERS.

EFFECT OF RECENT EVICTION

COUNCIL TO MEET IN THE INSTITUTE.

The question of vacating the Council Chambers, as a result ot Mr Justice Cooper's judgment, was before the City Fathers for consideration last The" Public Works Department renuested to know when the Council, if ?iot appealing, would be giving up the Justice Cooper's judgment was also laid on the table Cr Chinp said he was not going to propose to appeal; but they must *ake time to consider where they were going for quarters. The Mayor moved that the rooms be quitted immediately, and the Department granted the use of the rooms as soon as possible. Cr Griffiths seconded pro forma. The Mayor said he thought they should do nothing to displease the Government over the matter. He intended waiting on the Government immediately in "Wellington.

Cr Griffiths suggested'a deputation. There -was no doubt-the Council had a good equitable claim. Cr Carr thought it was useless to ask any favours. The judgment was an unsatisfactory one, and he doubted not that the Privy Council would upset it: but the game was not worth the candle. He thought they should get out as quietly as possible. The Town ■ Clerk might take up a room in'the Gas Office, and the Council might hold its meetings in the Institute. Cr McKinley agreed as to new quarters, bxvt was against more law. Cr Maeey said.if the Council made arrangements right off for fresh quarters, and the Government got to know of it, they would be in- the position of having eaten their cake. They should approach the Minister for consideration first, and he thought they liad a good chance of getting it. Cr Carr: Question. Cr Macey: It is for the Council to approach the Cabinet, anyway. Cr Carr disagreed. Cr Macey had all -along said 'fDon't fight,'? and now he wished to as% favours when.beaten. Cr Macey: What X say is that the Council has been badly advised in going to law. . Cr White said he had'read the judgment, and miist express his disappointment. If the case had gone straight before a full Bench of Judges, as intended in the first place, there would have been a different reading of the trust. The Mayor interrupted Cr White, and said it was useless traversing the judgment at this stage. The Council to a member intended not to go again to law, and-it was not wise to irritate the Government over the matter. Cr White persisted. What he was coming to was to state the equitable claim of the Borough, to be urged upon the Government. He was not prepared to accept a mere song. It seemed to him that if their title here was weak, so was .that also to the Literary Institute. The property was in the same deed. He thought if the present Cabinet gaye no reasonable compensation, they would get it from their successors, through their Memhef of Parliament. Cr Brown -thought the Council should vacate the rooms. j :~: Cr Griffiths moved an : " That the Council vacate the rooms •«\\3oon as arrangements can be made for quarters elsewhere, and that a deputation wait upon the Government with c-i-aiuesnuj monetary consideration ; and, further, that a Committee he set up and report at nest meeting." His reason for the wording of his motion was to show Cabinet that the Council was without quarters. Cr Brown failed to see the reason for sending all that to Mr Blow, the Public Works Under-Secretary. Cr Csirr did not favour Committee work. Let them decide now in open Council where to go. There were only the Town Hall, the Gas Office, and the Institute to choose from. The Mayor accepted Cr Griffith's motion. , Cr Patchett moved an amendment that the Council vacate at once, and that the Town Clerk go to the Gas Office and the Council to the Institute. ■ ~ ."•'.• Cr Carr, seconded. As to the compensation, Cabinet would ask the Council for 40 years' rent. Cr White said there was no need ior haggling. Cr Griffiths said the Council had iieen in the rooms for 40 years: what difference would 20 days more make. They should not go without trying to get some compensation. Cr Carr said that any Councillor who wished to sit in the Government's quarters after this must be peculiar. Cr White said the Government had earned the opprobrium of turning the Council out, and the Council should lose no time in getting out. Cr Patchett modified his amendment to read that the Coimcil vacate at once.

This M*as carried, and was unaninnmsly accepted as the substantive motion.

On tlie motion of Cr Carr, it was resolved that the furniture of the Council Chamber be immediately removed to the Literary Institute readingroom.

The Mayor said he would be visiting Wellington on the 19th instant, and would like to approach the Government in reference to compensation. Cr Macey: It seems to me the old Councillors don't want compensation.

Cr Brown: We want it, but we don't know whether we'll get it.

Cr Wliite: There is no doubt we sliall get it, your "Worship.

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