LOSS OF OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 12

LOSS OF OFFICE

DEPUTY-MAYOR'S CASE MR. J. HODGENS, M.P. ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL SEQUEL TO TELEGRAM |[by telegraph—own correspondent] PALME RSTO>" NORTH, Monday Following upon a' telegram sent by ."I\Jr. J. Hodgens, M.P., deputy-mayor, to the town clerk regarding the conduct of an inquiry into staffing at the ;gasworks the Palmerston City Council to-night at a special meeting passed resolutions removing Mr. Hodgens from the position of deputy-mayor, chairman of the lighting committee and as city representative on a committee negotiating with the Power Board in the electrical dispute. Mr. Hodgens was not present as he was obliged to be in Wellington as chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee of the .House of Representatives. Mr. W. B. Tennent,; a mem bo r of the •council, announced that as a result of the wording of the telegram he would be taking Court proceedings against Mr. Hodgens. , . "An Unpleasant Duty" "The duty I have to perform to-night :is probably the most unpleasant I have had during my office as Mayor," stated Mr. A. E. Mansford. "It is to propose a resolution which amounts to certsuro of a member of the council and, further, one whom I have looked upon as a close friend for nearly 30 years and who has'acted as my deputy during the . whole of flie time I have been Mayor. "Shortly put the position was that this council was investigating appointments, dismissals and disrating of members of the staff at the electrical and gas works over the past three years, general costs and management of the gas works and if political or personal influence had been used at the works in regard to appointments or dismissals. Loss of Goodwill

"The inquiry has been going on for some weeks. Councillor Hodgens -attended the first meeting and at the next /sent a telegram asking that cerr tain questions should be put to witnesses and this I have done on every occasion. "The inquiry was continued last Monday, particularly to allow Mr. Hodgens to be present. However, he did not avail himself of the opportunity. You eah therefore imagine my surprise and that of the council on getting the following telegram on Tuesday last when the inquiry was resumed.'' The. Mayor then read the telegram. The Mayor added: "By that wire, Mr. Hodgens forfeits the goodwill, 1 should say, of every member of the council. >\Tiile it is unpleasant for me to propose the resolutions of which I have given notice,- knowing the record of public service Mr. Hodgens has, still this public service can be no excuse. As Mayor, I have a duty ;to members of the council and a duty to the citizens."