LETTERS TO MAYOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 15

LETTERS TO MAYOR

NORTHCOTE COUNCIL PROCEDURE CRITICISED A MOTION REJECTED Several notices of motion regarding correspondence addressed to the Mayor were discussed at a meeting of the Northcote Borough Council last night. Mr. N. S. Davidson moved that all correspondence addressed to the Mayor and delivered to the borough "office be opened by the town clerk and presented to the next meeting of the council.

The Mayor, Mr. R. Martin: Anything of a public nature you will get.

Mr. Davidson: Wo -will decide what is of a public nature. Some correspondence has disappeared from the council office file.

Mr. J. Murdoch: That is a serious charge.

Mr. Davidson: At present against no particular person. The motion was rejected on the casting vote of the Mayor. Mr. E. C. Fowler then moved: "This council hereby- disapproves of the action of the Mayor in disregarding standing orders by his refusal to accept a motion of adjournment at the meeting of the Northcote Borough Council held on July 3 last, and instructs the town clerk to report to the council on the matter of penalty that may be exacted." The motion was carried without dissent, after the Mayor had said he was advised that it would have no effect. Mr. A. G. Osborne then moved: "That a committee of three be appointed to obtain legal advice on the action necessary to ensure the due observance by the Mayor of standing orders of the council, and making his rulings based upon recognised principles of chairmanship." The motion was carried by six votes to two, and Messrs. Ellis, Osborne and Joll were appointed the committee.