AVONDALE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 5

AVONDALE AFFAIRS.

LIVELY BOARD MEETING.

ASSISTANCE FOR AVIATORS.

Avo.vdale affairs were discussed at the Road Board meeting on Wedensday. There were present ;—Messrs.! J. Potter (chairman), F. Walter, G. Curd, J. Morey, F. Hampshire, and J. Tait. Amongst correspondence received was a letter from the Hon. W. F. Massey, in reply to a request from the board for a Government grant in aid of Messrs. Sandford and Miller, whose aeroplane was recently destroyed. In reply, the Prime Minister promised that the matter should have the earnest attention of the Government.

Prolonged discussion took 'place in connection with the formation work on Blake Street, the opinion of some members being that the value of the new work done was discounted to a very great extent, owing to no water being available when the new work was rolled. Mr. Morey strongly advocated provision being made for a water supply for any future new work. A* an aftermath to the late by-election, held by the board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Tait, a Rood deal of feeling was shown by Mr. rait (who was returned again), in regard to the payment of an account for expenses incurred by the board in calling a public meeting to refute certain statements made by Mr. Tait during his election canvass. He moved'a motion of want of confidence in the Finance Committee, and emphatically declared his conviction that the, Auditor-General would not pass the account when it came to his hands, and spoke strongly on the attitude taken by other members of the board at the recent election.

Other members protested equally strongly against the remarks of the previous speaker, and for a time matters were very stormy. The chairman (pro forma) seconded Mr. Tait's motion.

On the motion being put to the meeting. Mr. Tait was the only one to vote in favour of it.