MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 12

MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

MORE NEWMARKET TROUBLE. REDUCTION OF ' , HONORARIUM. AUCKLAND, March 1. A proposal by Mr 11. J. Cooper, that the annual honorarium of the incoming Mayor should be reduced by half to £IOO, was responsible for. a stormy scene at a meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council. Alter a lengthy argument, the resolution was carried. The Mayor, Mr S. Donaldson, declined to vote, on the ground that he was a prospective candidate for the Mayoralty at the forthcoming elections. “Four years ago I was the mover of a resolution that the Mayor’s honorarium should be £200,” Mr Cooper said. “In those days a good deal of work was done in the borough. Today the borough is in a bad way, and I think £IOO is quite a lair remuneration for the Mayor. lam prepared to say £SO would be enough for me if I stood for the position.” Mr G. E. Smerdon, chairman of the finauco committee, seconded the resolution. “I am not in the least hit concerned,” tlio Mayor said. Mr Cooj>er: This does not refer to you; it has to do with the incoming Mayor. The Mayor: I know all about that from past experience. I contend that the motion has really been prompted by a spirit of revenge for ©vents which have occurred iu this council during recent months. THREAT TO CLOSE MEETING. Strong resentment at these remarks was expressed by councillors, and the Mayor said he could close the meeting if he were not allowed to speak. He added that the resolution was brought forward because a certain roading object fostered by members had not been adopted. At this stage, Mr G. E. Smerdon threatened to leave the meeting, hilt later said he would remain out of respect for Mr Cooper’s motion. The Mayor said lie- considered that the motion testified that the council wanted to penalise him because he dared to defend the ratepayers against a small band of spculators.

A voice: Nonsense. The Mayor said he would not have it said he voted against a decrease in his own honorarium.

Mr Cooper: You demanded your second year’s honorarium from the town clerk about eight months before you completed your term of office. You have now had it for six months, but it has not been passed for payment by the finance committee. The Mayor: Whose fault is that? Mr Cooper: I do not know. RESOLUTION CARRIED. Tire clerk, Mr H. Wilson, said that tho honorarium was granted under a standing resolution. It was to be paid in one sum if the Mayor desired. He thought that if they inquired of every local body in New Zealand they would find it was customary for the Mayor to receive his payment in one sum at the commencement of his term. Mr Cooper: The Mayor of Auckland receives his monthly. Mr Wilson: I daresay he is the only one to do so. After considerable uproar the resolution was put and carried. The Mayor: Ido not vote because I am a prospective candidate for tho Mayoralty. . The clerk said it was only fair that the position regarding the payment to the Mayor should be made plain. There was no necessity for the account to go before the finance committee. It had previously gone to that body quite formally, and if it had not been submitted recently it was only an omission. The resolution contained a further statement that the Mayor’s honorarium should be paid in 12 monthly instalments.