MAYOR OUT-VOTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26783, 28 May 1948, Page 3

MAYOR OUT-VOTED

INSPECTION OF MACHINERY COUNCIL EXERTS AUTHORITY After a long and animated debate, the Oamaru Borough Council decided at its meeting last night to authorise any standing committee to instruct an executive officer of the council to make any inspection or inquiries, and to report back to the council, provided the cost of the inquiry does not exceed £lO. This decision was the outcome of the Mayor questioning the legality of a meeting of the council which was called recently oy the Works Committee, which sought permission to send an officer to inspect a grader that was for sale. Those present at the meeting were the Mayor, Mr M. F. E. Cooney, and Crs B. Steven, T. R. Beatty, E. S. Stubbs. D. S. Bain J. Meikle, J. I. McEwan, A. Hamilton, A. E. Hodge, F. J. D. Blackgrove, A. Wilson and W. R. Laney. Oamaru had comparatively more tarsealed footpaths and roads than any other town in New Zealand, said the Mayor, and it had always been his policy to maintain this asset rather than indulge in the purchase of heavy machinery. The ratepayers had endorsed his policy at thelast election by electing him to the mayoralty. In his opinion, the purchasing of a second-hand grader, which he knew would cost about another £IOOO to repair, was a retrograde step. His action had been intended to protect the ratepayers rather than embarrass the Works Committee. , _ Cr Bain, chairman of the Works Committee, then moved that when an opportunity arose to purchase a grader or other machinery suitable 'for the boroughs requirements, the committee concerned be authorised to empower the head of its department to inspect it and furnish a report for consideration by the council. ” This motion proposes a departure from the methods of the council, which have always proved efficient in the past, said the Mayor. On this occasion individual councillors did not have the slightest intention of doing anything without the permission of the whole council, said Cr Stubbs. It might happen again, however,' that when the chairman of a standing committee, backed unanimously by his committee, made a request for an inspection or inquiries, the Mayor might decline to co-operate, thus frustrating the wishes of the council.” Cr Bain then withdrew his motion, and ,Cr Stubbs moved that during the term of office of the present council any standing committee of the council be empowered to authorise inspections and inquiries, and to furnish a report to the council, provided that the cost of such inspections was less than £lO. The motion was carried, the Mayor and Cr Hodge asking that their votes be recorded against it.