MAYOR CALLS POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18330, 21 February 1923, Page 8

MAYOR CALLS POLICE.

EJECTION OF COUNCILLOR. REFUSAL TO OBEY RULING. TENSE SCENE AT STRATFORD |BX TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] STRATFORD. Tuesday. The troubles of the electric light department of the Stratford Borough Council, which have disturbed the atmosphere of the council for some months past culminated in drastic action at last night's meeting, when the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan, called in .the aid of the police to eject a member of the council, Mr. S. Ward, on the fetter's refusing to withdraw a certain remark, and also to obey the Mayor's ruling that he should leave the council chamber. In the course of the discussion, the Mayor said he regretted to hear the emarks of people outside Stratford with regard to the way the council conducted its business. . The resolution carried by the general purposes meeting was in the nature of an absurdity. If the counc. persisted in its present attitude, he was going to call a meeting of ratepayers to discuss the position. Mr. T. Lawson: Call a meeting and see the result for yourself. A long discussion, more or less personal, followed, the Mayor remarking that he hoped the council would leave sentiment entirely out of its business in future. * Mr. S. Ward said he was glad to hear the Mayor, say sentiment should be left out of electric light matters. If the Mayor had not been a personal friend of a certain man, that man's son would not be in his present position on the staff. The Mayor took strong exception to this remark, and asked Mr. Ward to withdraw it. Mr. Ward refused absolutely to withdraw. The Mayor then ordered Mr. Ward to leave the room, but he refused. The Mayor next adjourned the council for 15 minutes, and he left the room. He returned a few moments later to tell Mr. Ward that if he did not leave the police would be called in to remove him. A few minutes later a constable appeared in the room and asked Mr. Ward what he had to say. Members of the council asked the Mayor that the position should be explained to the constable. The Mayor ordered the constable to remove Mr. Ward, and said he would take full responsibility for the action. Mr. Ward then left the room with the constable, and was followed by Messrs. C. Jfeckson and T. Lawson.

The council then proceeded with the business before it.