When Cr. Hodgens Intruded

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7241, 22 August 1933, Page 8

When Cr. Hodgens Intruded

ALL ABOUT THE USE OF A ROOM When Cr. J, Hodgcns, after leaving a recent meeting of the City Council, happened to wander into a committee room, he found another meeting in progress there, and discovered it was a conference of what lie termed at the council meeting last night, the “local Hitlerites.’’ As he backed out apologetically he wondered if the Labour Party could also have the privilege of using the same room and burning lights at the expense of the ratepayers. At least, that was what he asked councillors last evening, at the same time seeking who had given Legion members permission to use the room. The Mayor said he knew nothing about the Legion and its meetings. The only organisations that used the room to his knowledge were those working on relief matters., Cr. Langley: Is Cr. Hodgcns sure it was a Legion meeting? I think it must have been a band meeting he wandered into. Cr. Hodgcns: Is Mr F. J. Nathan chairman of the Band Committee? And is Mr Chamberlain its secretary? The Town Clerk said that in years gone by the council gave the free use of the supper room at the Opera House to organisations. The only permission granted the Legion for the committee Toom was for last Friday night. Cr. Hodgcns: But it was a month ago that I walked in on them. Cr. Free thought it would be an act

of grace on the part of the council to offer the use of its committee room as long as it was not monopolised. It was decided to notify organisations that they must make application for use of the room in future.