MAYORAL DUTIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 4

MAYORAL DUTIES

APPOINTMENTS EX OFFICIO BOROUGH COUNCIL DEBATE Spirited discussion was provoked at a meeting of the Port Chalmers Borough Council last night when Cr H. S. Watson said he wished to give notice of motion to rescind a Four-year-old resolution appointing t]he Mayor as {he council’s representative on the committee of the Royal and Merchant Navy Club. The club, in a letter to the council, said that Mr Watson was chairman of the club committee, and since he was a councillor was its direct representative. Whereas the records of the council showed that the Mayor of Port Chalmers was to be its representative, the constitution of the club provided that the committee should comprise eleven members, including one member to be nominated by the borough council. Cr Watson moved that the letter be received, and said he wished to give notice of motion to rescind the provision. “ I suspect there is sonfe motive behind this, and I would ask the mover to lay the cards on the table,” said the Mayor, Mr T. Anderson. If the mover wished to be the council’s representative it would have been better for him to sav so. Mr Anderson went on to sav that as Mayor he felt it his duty and privilege to meet visitors to the town. He added: “On several occasions when visitors have come I have been totally ignored." Cr W. D. Campbell: If the standing orders of the council say the Mayor is the representative I see no reason why it should be altered. Branding the move as a “ slight' on the Mavor, the council and the townsfolk,” Mrs R. E. S. Reeves said she was amazed to hear that the Mayor had been ignored. It was wrong that any Mayor elected by the wish of the residents should be denied an exofficio position. In reply, Mr Watson denied that his proposal was a “ slight on the Mayor or any person." He again moved that the letter be received, and he would still give notice of motion. Mr Anderson: Well, I am going to move an amendment that the club be. informed to the effect that the council!, will be adhering to its previous do- I cision. The amendment was put and carried by five votes to three.