STORMY GATHERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19349, 9 June 1926, Page 10

STORMY GATHERING.

RATEPAYERS OF AVONDALE. THE COUNCIL CRITICISED. MAYOR ACCEPTS CHALLENGE. A meeting of.the Avondale Progressive Association was held in the Town Hall, Avondale, on Monday, when addresses were given by Messrs. H. Tiarks and W. Pendlebury. Mr. O. G. Avery, president of the association, presided. Mr. Tiarks condemned the action of the council in passing for payment the report of the auditors, who were engaged some months ago to investigate the financial position of the borough. He alleged that he and his colleagues, representing the South Ward, had not received fair treatment at the hands of the Mayor and the remainder of the council. Mr. Tiarks was frequently applauded. At times, however, members of the council protested against his statements, but the audience invariably was goodhumoured and "counted them out. ' Mr. P. Richardson asked permission to address the audience at the close of Mr. Tiark's address. The chairman agreed to grant him five minutes. Mr. Richardson, who had mounted the platform, on hearing that he would only be granted five minutes, said it would be impossible to criticise in five minutes what the previous speaker had taken an hour to say. Amid the interjections of the audience ho thereupon left the platform. Mr. W. Pendlebury then addressed the meeting. He had not proceeded far with his speech when something in the nature of pandemonium took place. He was referring to the question of rates, and said he would give £SOO to the Auckland Hospital if it' could be proved that he seconded the resolution adopted striking the rates. His challenge was accepted immediately. The town brought the minute book of the council, and the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Tait, attempted to read the minute showing that Mr. Pendlebury did second the resolution. The Mayor was again "counted out," but he took the count with a , smile and remained on his feet for a considerable time in an endeavour to read the minute, but without avail. The chairman then took the unusual' course of going down among the audience, where he endeavoured to induce the Mayor to retire. At a later stage, amid considerable noise, the Mayor ascended the platform and, waving the minute book in his hand, insisted on reading the minute, as follows: "In accordance with notice, the Mayor, moved, Councillor Pendlebury seconded, and it was carried unanimously, 'That the Avondale Borough Council, in exercise of its powers under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, the Rating Act, 1908, the Local Bodies Loans Act, 1913, and the various amendments thereto, hereby makes and levies the following rates ' "

The reading Of the minute caused considerable confusion, in the midst of which could be heard a number of persons calling on Mr. Pendlebury to honour his promise. Throughout the remainder of his speech Mr. Pendlebury was subjected to banter on the part of the audience. The meeting, which had lasted for more than two and a-half hours, then closed, no attempt being made to carry any resolutions

The Mayor and councillors of the North and Central -Wards intend to call a public meeting in the course of a few days, when they will present their case to the ratepayers.