GREATER WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4880, 4 February 1903, Page 5

GREATER WELLINGTON.

ANOTHER. TYPICAL MELROSE COUNCIL MEETING.

At tho meeting of tho Melrose Borough Council last evening, tho Greater Wellington question again camo up for discussion on tho following motion, of which notice had heen given by Council lor Jturnings :

That the expenditure of the proposed loan of £30,000 for street improvements be allocated on the basis of unimproved value in tho respective wards, instead of a sum of . £IO,OOO to each ward.'’ Councillor Nicol wished to know if tho motion was in order? Ho could not see that it was. Tho Mayor did not think it would be necessary for him to make many remarks in connection with tho notice of motion, as ho had to rule it out o' order. Possibly, Councillor Jointing would bo able to put himself in order. Ho detailed tho different stages through which tho amended agreement had passed, and said that in order to effect an amendment, there was no other course than to give notice of motion to rescind tho resolution passed on January 20th. Of course, there was a third party interested in . tho matter—tho City Council. At tho same time, he should deplore such a course, because it would bo opening the way for other amendments; and, possibly, there would bo no end. They bad got to that stage with the agreement; they had passed a special order, and he thought they would do well to lake it alone, and do all in t Loir power to put tho matter through.. That was why he was bound to rulo the present motion out of order. Councillor Jennings: Will yon allow me to say a word? Tho Mayor: I don’t think it is necessary; I have ruled tho motion out of order. Councillor Reid: If it is anything not in reference to the notice of motion I don’t object, but I do otherwise. ' Councillor Jennings said the Mayor, at the irfttigation of one of the Councillors, was asked ''Was tho motion in order?” and he had told him the course to pursue. It was an extraordinary thing that up to that time tho Mayor and Councillor Reid were the only members who had expressed any antagonism . Tho Mayor: Councillor Jennings, I have ruled, and I think that should be sufficient. Councillor Jennings: Yon cannot prevent my entering a respectful protest. My protest is that your conduct is,distinctly inequitable—that it lias not got a precedent, and that you arc not acting in a spirit‘of .harmony, justice and fair play when you, to use a phrase which is not unparliamentary, “ put yourself away.” At tho special meeting you deliberately put your foot down, and prevented mo having any amendment. while, in the same breath you allowed Councillor Jorgenson to move what he wanted. I beg to protest in vigorous language that I very much regret the way you have refused to hear mo.

The Mayor: I think that is sufficient, Councillor Jennings. Councillor Jcnuiijgs: I can’t help feeling very much at the partiality that is pervading you in this. Tho Mayer: I may say I took no amendment from Councillor Jorgensen. Ho made a suggestion, and it was part of tho agreement ; it was npt any new matter whatever. Councillor Jennings; I am pleased to be afforded an opportunity of now making another protest. I beg to vigorously protest against tho misstatements you supplied .in an interview with tho “ New Zealand Times ” about tho cost of a tram to Brooklyn The Mayor (leaving the chair): Gentlemen, I shall adjourn tho meeting. Councillor Fullford: I move that Councillor Jorgensen tako tho chair. Five form a quorum. Councillor Reid: I think wo ought to support tho chair. The Mayor is in this position—that ho rules f\nd *thon members begin to discuss his ruling. Ho may bo wrong or right, but his ruling should be final. Councillor Jennings: I think I bare got a right t 6 protest, when the Mayor furnishes false information to the press of tho colony. After some altercation, the Mayor resumed tho ohair. In doing so, he said lie was sorry for these unpleasantnesses, but when he had ruled he expected the Councillors to take his ruling, right or wrong. When this matter of, Councillor Jennings’s camo ou again ho would have an opportunity of giving his views. Ho thought ho could reasonably expect tho support of Councillors in conducting the business. (Hear, bear). Councillor Brown then moved tho following resolution, of which he had given notice:— / ' “That, in pursuance of the requisition from tho electors presented to the Council at tho meeting of January 20th, a poll he taken on tho question of Greater Wellington on Monday, the 9th day of February.’ l Councillor Jennings seconded the motion pro forma. The Mayor appealed to Councillor Brown to withdraw his motion, on the ground that they were proceeding as quickly as they could. He called upon the Town Clerk to read an opinion obtained from Mr C. P. Skerrett, which stated that it was not necessary to take a poll pursuant to the' petition iij question—that it was sufficient if the poll was in pursuance of a special order of the Council. The poll could not be taken sooner than-fourteen days after the complete passing- of confirmation of the special order, and a day or two further ought to he allowed to prevent any difficulties.

Councillor Jennings subsequently asked to be allowed to see the opinion. The Mayor replied that he would have no objection to show the portion of it in question to Councillor Jennings when the meeting was over. 1 Councillor Jorgensen thought the dominant party in the Council had taken a very undue advantage. Discussions were stifled and undue advantage was taken in all kinds of matters. He wished to enter a dignified protest. Councillor Jennings said be had asked for a public document while they were discussing it. and ho was denied the right. He asked was it a public document or a private document? Ho was not going to wait until the meeting was over. The Mayor stated that'the opinion was obtained at his own instance, for his own private use. Councillor Drown considered the Mayor’s attitude most undignified. If the opinion was used as a. public document it should he available. r’ouup'iDor Jennings demanded hv what right was a private document run in there and “kidded” as a public document? The Mayor; There are two opinions connected together. Councillor Jennings, (striking , the table decisively): I ; thought there was something in it. The Mayor repealed that the opinion

was got for his own private use, and ha would take no more discussion on tho matter. If they wished him to put the motion ho would; otherwise, ho would adjourn tho meetiug. Councillor Brown observed that they could not take any notice of such an. opinion until it was produced. He held that the petition remained in order. Councillor Fnllford asked Councillor Brown to withdraw tho motion, as ha had to make an affidavit this morning that tho petition was illegal, owing to tho maimer in which two of tho signal lures had boon obtained. The Mayor then put tho resolution to tho mooting, and on a division it was defeated by seven votes to two.