NOISY DEBATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26532, 6 August 1947, Page 6

NOISY DEBATE

GREEN ISLAND BUS SERVICE HEATED SCENE IN COUNCIL Tempers became frayed and councillors attacked each other in a noisy and acrimonius debate at the monthly meeting of the Green Island Borough Council last night. The question under discussion was the formation of a company which is to operate a bus service to the district after the City Corporation’s licence expires. „ “ I was given to understand months ago, when the company was first mooted, that it would be corn r posed entirely of returned servicemen, declared the Mayor, Mr J. Boomer, who raised the question. “ I believe that it was on that basis that we supported the application made by the trustee of the company for a licence. Imagine my consternation at finding that some of the shareholders were not returned men. Actions of Promoter

“I have since learned that the promoter of the company never officially communicated with the Returned Services’ Association, either here or in Dunedin, asking for applications for shares,” the Mayor added. “Further adverse comment has been made that returned men in Dunedin were not permitted to put up their money. “I wish to make my position clear to everybody I have previously told people that it would be a returned servicemen’s company,” Mr Boomer concluded, “and I feel keenly now that it is not so.” Cr T. McAhan said the returned men in the district had known about the proposed company for some time “I know that shares went begging at one stage,” he observed, “and it is no use complaining about not being able to obtain si arcs after the company has been formed. It is a good organisation, and I think we will get a good service.” Cr F. Gray said he wanted to defend himself from criticism for holding a block of shares, and he accused another councillor of spreading “loose rumours” about himself. He pointed out that 4500 of the total of 10,000 shares were held by returned men. Many of the ratepayers who were now disgruntled at not having shares had not been willing to take them earlier. At this stage Cr L. Burgess moved that the whole question should be closed, stating that he did not think it right to go to the council chamber to make perser.a 1 attacks. “ Returned Men Let Down ” Cr W. Dickinson said it was impossible to keep personalities out of the debate. “We were given to understand that the company would be formed of returned servicemen, and these men, I say, have been let down. If the promoter had been fair he would have written to the council asking if there weire any local returned servicemen willing to put money into the enterprise. “It may be said that the question does not affect the council, but we in the borough will have to' ride in the buses. I think we will have to discuss this question further,” Cr Dickinson concluded, “ if a letter is received from the Returned Services’ Association.” The discussion then lapsed