“NOT A FAIR SPIN.”

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 1, 8 January 1930, Page 4

“NOT A FAIR SPIN.”

ACTION AGAINST RATE DEFAULTERS. COUNTY SOLICITORS CRITICISED. CR. KITCHEN’S OUTBURST. A report submitted to last meeting of the county council by the county solicitors, Messrs. Logan and Reynolds, giving a list of rate defaulters against whom judgment had been obtained or further action was pending, drew a rather warm outburst from Cr. Kitchen. Alleging the solicitors were not getting the judgment orders they should be, he contended the council was not getting a fair spin and that in some cases the solicitors did not try to prove that defaulters were able to pay their rates.

“Yes, it looks a very complete and full report,” said Cr. Kitchen when the report had been read. "But I was in the court ready to give evidence that day, and I wasn’t called once. They’re not trying to get orders. Why was' I nQWiaiied'? ’ The council only wanted a fair spin, but was not getting it. He cited particulars of several defaulters, contending they could easily pay their rates. “That is the sort of thing that is being swung onto us,” asserted Cr. Kitchen. “We want fair play, and we’re not getting it from the solicitors,” “I don’t know the details of these cases, but I am periectly satisfied that the solicitors have given a fair and reasonable report,” stated Cr. Wrathall. He considered it had been made clear that had Cr. Kitchen indicated he desired to come forward as a witness the council would have approached the solicitors. The chairman (Cr. W. Vickers) expressed the opinion that the solicitors dealt with cases on their merits, and made full enquiries.

“They don’t make enquiries,” interjected Cr. Kitchen. “If they made enquiries you would find thev would get more orders.” He cited the case oi one defaulter who was now running his second car.

“I agree with some of Cr. Kitchen’s remarks, but at the same time I think Cr. Kitchen sometimes takes extreme views,” stated Cr. Matthews. He thought it possible that even if he had been called as a witness Cr. Kitchen might not have scored as much as he anticipated.

After further debate the discussion lapsed. “What I object to is this,” was Cr. Kitchen’s parting shot. “The solicitors did not go the right way about collecting the money. They did not try to prove that the men were able to pay.”