A PERSONAL EXPLANATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 3

A PERSONAL EXPLANATION.

The Mayor not being present at the commencement of tho City Council mooting last evening, Councillor A. W. Brown was voted to the chair. Later on, however, Mr Fisher arrived, and, near tho

close of the business, asked and received permission to make (i a personal explanation." He noticed in the Evening Post some extracts furnished by a Mr Charles

Hondroy, a person totally unknown to the council or the corporation, whoso name did not appear on any burgess-roll of the council. (A Councillor : You will find him on tho roll for South Wellington.) Ho (Mr Fisher) wanted to know how it was that a man having no interest in the corporation could coma to tho council offices and obtain extracts from the minute books of tho council?

Councillor A. W. Brown (from tho shah'): I learn from tho officers that no person has been hero to got extracts from tho minute-book. Councillor Fothorick on ono occasion dictated some extracts. Tho Mayor continued: It would bo within tho recollection of tho council that when Mr Baird was about to leave tho service of tho corporation, the council found that Mr Loughrey could not arrive for a while, and they therefore asked Mr Baird to remain in the service for a week beyond tho time at which he was to have left. This Mr Baird consented to do. These extracts ho had alluded to were published, ho supposed, for tho purpose of showing that he (tho mayor) and others had attempted to do an injustice to tho city and its interests by retaining Mr Baird in tho service of tho corporation. This ill-conditioned and evil-disposed person ( eferring to Mr Hondrey) had published tho letter with tho view of damaging certain persons. Such a person should not bo permitted to examine or oven touch the books of the corporation. ' Mr Martin : I believe Mr Hendrey did not havo access to tho books of tho council.

Mr Fisher : I am very glad to hear it. I hope such persons will never bo allowed access to tho books. As tho mayor sat down, Councillor Petherick arose and commenced a speech. The Chairman reminded the would-be speaker that ho must ask the permission of the council to speak. Permission was ,accordingly asked, and most unmistakoably refused. Councillor Petherick evidently did not realise his position, and was going on with his remarks, when the Chairman again reminded him that tho mayor, had had permission to make a personal explanation, but ho (Councillor r Petherick) evidently wished to make a speech. Councillor Petherick (abstractedly) : But you The Chairman : Will you resume your seat. Councillor Petherick. Councillor Petherick; Well, you’ve allowed other members to speak. Tho Chairman (emphatically) : Will you resume your seat, Councillor Pethorick. ...

Councillor Petherick at this juncture appeared to be brimful of emotion. He remarked, “ Pleaae yourself, please yourself I If you won’t give mo the same privilege.” The sentence remained unfinished for Councillor Petherick had arisen, and was walking majestically towards the door. As ho reached, it, tho Chairman called upon Councillor Newman to move tho motion standing in his name. Mr Petherick immediately turned, and, calling out “ No quorum present/’ vanished.