HUTT GASWORKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11070, 29 November 1921, Page 5

HUTT GASWORKS

ANOTHER STORMY MEETING MAYOR RESIGNS AND CHALLENGES COUNCILLOR. THE INVITATION ACCEPTED. Matters at the Lower Hutt have reached, an unprecedented crisis over the .proposed new gasworks. At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor (Mr E. P. Rishworth) assailed Councillor W. T. ‘ Strand, accusing him of a breach of faith and challenging him to resign along with himself and contest an election _ for Mayor. This challenge the councillor accepted. The matter took this turn through the Mayor reading a newspaper report on some statements made by Councillor Strand,at a meeting of the Hutt Ratepayers*' 1 Protection Association, w r hich Mr Rishworth took to mean that he was not settled as to his action in the matter. The Mayor had always favoured the erection of works at the Hutt. He alleged that Councillor Strand had favoured amalgamation with Petone, and! could not go back on pledges made to the council. The Mayor stated that he was not prepared to argue the matter further. He did not want a suggestion, that he wns wavering in Inis decision to go abroad, and he was still convinced that they needed their own works. He had taken up municipal work again only at the request of certain councillors, and had done his best for tihe Hutt Valley. Council Strand: had made statements about him which he considered disingenuous. He saw with astonishment that Councillor Strand was capable of two attitudes that of Councillor Strand and that of Mr W. T. Strand. The former had' held a caucus at his home at which there was present a Wellington M.P. This, he considered, a breach of faith.

At a meeting Councillor Strand had taken credit upon himself as the originator of a scheme for handing over the gas supply to a Power Board. Here Councillor Meldrum corrected the Mayor. Councillor Strand, he said, had told the meeting that he (Councillor Meldrum) had brought forward the idea. Councillor Strand, continued the Mayor, had done many things which brought delay. He had voted against joint ownership and control of the Petone works. Allegations had been made against him (Mr Rishworth) in connection with serious 'happenings at the Hutt, and he was not going to resign because some low ruffian had written anonymous letters and endeavoured to destroy his wife’B faith in him, which, was impossible. He went on to criticise various actions of Councillor Strand on matters affecting the borough. At every division on the gas question Councillor Strand had been numbered among the minority. If a Mayor was to be a minority in his council it was time for him to resign. He was willing to resign if Councillor Strand would resign along with him and test the matter fully.

Councillor Strand, while pledging himself as ia councillor, had considered himself at' liberty as Mr W. T.i Strand to interview the councillors. They were the servants of the people, elected for the service of the borough’s interest, and >in determining to erect a gasworks they were carrying out the wish of the people. “I do not “desire yon, gentlemen, to feel -that I am a self-willed, obstinate man,” said Mr Rishworth. “I have oatled expert advice in this matter and WILLING TO RETIRE.

“I am merely attempting to keep my word to the people, and, judging by the last two elections, they are not anxious to get rid of me. When they do so I am quite willing to retire into private life and till my own garden.” He threw out a challenge to Councillor Strand and to any ‘‘gentleman behind the scenes.” If the council were men of honour they must carry out the work. The Eastbourne people were not convinced, the Goverbment Analyst was not convinced, and it was only recently that the. Hutt had been getting anything like its proper allowance for lighting. Councillor Meldrum inquired if the Mayor would consider a proposal for a Power Board scheme for control of the works. He said that there had been several proposals before both councils, and all had been tinned down. His proposal was the only one that had not been so treated. The Mayor: I am quite prepared to submit that matter to the council tonight, if it is drawn np by yon, Councillor Meldrum. An empowering Act by Parliament would be necessary, and the consent of both boroughs would have to be obtained. THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Councillor Strand then rose to reply. “There is nothing left for me, sorry as I am,” he said, “but to accept your challenge. You have been misinformed on many points, but if you wish to pin your faith on hearsay—well and good. It is quite evident that you have carefully considered the remarks you have made to-night, and I should like a little time before replying? If Councillor Meldrum’s suggestion is not carried, I shall have no option but to take up your challenge. That chair I have no wish to occupy, and it _is with great regret that I take this, which rs' the only ‘course open to me.” Councillor Strand resumed his 6eat amidst silence, and the council passed on to the consideration of other business. At the conclusion of the general business of the meeting, the Mayor in. ferred that Councillor Strand might relish an opportunity to reply. This gentleman intimated that he had not considered the matter, and had had no intention to reply that evening. There were other instances of pledges which had not been carried out, and he had quitg as much room, he said, to speak of them as had the Mayor Pledges were pledges, and that of* a Mayor should carry as much weight ap one made by a councillor. He considered it would not be right to force an election now, as it would run into the Christmas holidays, and if Mr Rishworth was agreeable to do likewise, would defer his for a fortnight. NO BED OP ROSES. “My position has not been a bed of roses by any means,” said Mr Rishworth. “Attempts have been made to personally Intimidate me, and I shall resume private life with the greatest pleasure if it is the wish of the people. I consider that if it is practical, Councillor Meldrum’s scheme is a very fine one, and would do away with all bickering and personal feeling, and this parochial attitude.” Councillor Meldrum formally brought forward his motion, which was that the Petone Council should be met in

conference regarding information of a Lighting Board, and that they be asked if they would consent to the formation of a separate hoard.

Councillor Strand seconded the motion. He denied any references detrimental to the Mayor at the little meeting held at .his home. The idea was for one gasworks for the valley, one common ground for the sinking of the existing controversy and ill-feeling. “NO WISH TO MEET PETONE.” A remark from Councillor Brasell followed a proposal that it might be advisable to meet Petone. “As far as I am concerned, I strongly object to meeting Petone on any grounds whatever. I wish to make myself perfectly clear,” he said. After some further discussion, the matter was put to the vote, and carried by 6 votes to 4. Councillors Hobbs, Strand, Cotton, Dempsey, Mitchell, and Meldrum were in the majority, and the minority consisted of the Mayor, and Councillors Brasell, West, and Mcßain. The Mayor pointed out that this proposal was similar to one already negatived; but since it was the wish of the council, he must carry out his original intention of resigning. If Councillor Strand's resignation is tendered promptly the election for Mayor will take place before Christmas.