NOT A TRIBUNAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 4

NOT A TRIBUNAL

COUNCIL “HEARS” CHARGES. IRATE BRUCE RATEPAYER. The multifarious duties of the Bruce County Council would have been added to on Tuesday if an elderly and indignant ratepayer had his requests acceded to. He was from Helensbrook, and he wanted the council to sit as a tribunal to judge the alleged actions of three people, but one of them in particular. After half an hour’s amusement the council was unable to ascertain what the charges really were and declined to hear the case. As far as could be ascertained the ratepayer had numerous complaints of straying cattle, interference with his property, the refusals of certain people to take up his case, and an alleged stabbing affray. “It is not pleasant for me to come here,' commenced the speaker, as a prelude to a long recital of his woes. After proceeding for five minutes without interruption and without explaining the reasons for hie presence, the remarks were interrupted when Cr J. "fjlark exclaimed, “Why?”

“I can tell you why, my boyl” replied the ratepayer. Then followed a long indictment of three prominent people who refused to take action against interference with the cattle and the removal of tools. “They were taken away and brought back when I was absent.” He said that he hod been unable to obtain redress. od • • ■

The Chairman (Cr T. Scott): Do you mean to tell us that you have no remedy for that sort of thing? The Ratepayer: There are three men I can’t get on with. They are three bullCouncillors : Oh I

The' Ratepayer: 1 do call them bullFfirther allegations were levelled at those against whom he made complaint. The Chairman; Well, what do you want? Another volley was fired, but the chairman rose in protest. “Wait,” said the ratepayer, whose voice drownod the chairman’s with a flood of criticism. He also told how he had been stabbed by some person who had crossed his property. “Did you complain about that, and did yon have the proof—” queried a councillor. “Look!” The ratepayer proceeded to open his shirt, but the remark, “We don’t want to know about it” acted as a damper to the action though not to the explanation. “J had to see a doctor and had stitches put in, and that cost two guineas,” he continued. The Chairman, whoso patience was being sorely tried, again exclaimed, “Well, we have nothing to. do with that, you must make the complaint yourself.”

“To whom?” asked the deputation, who did not wait for an answer, out proceeded to relate his troubles.

“Tell us what you want,” demanded the chairman again, and at last the council received the information that protection of property was sought The Chairman: That is a matter for the police. The Ratepayer: I can’t get any eatisfaotion.

The Chairman: Well, you have your remedy. “Shall I go to a J.P.?” was the query, and the Chairman replied, “Well, I am one.” Cr Clarke rose and stated, “I can’t let him say any more, as Mr is absent. It is not fair.”

The Chairman: He is not getting to his point, and it is time that he shifted along. The Ratepayer: What I Shift me! I want the ranger to take up the matter. If he can’t fill the position, let me know', and I will take it on. I don’t want the job, but I want this done. I don’t want to keep you men. But he did not retire.

A Councillor said that the deputation should have gone to the right authorities in Dunedin. The Ratepayer: Wait on! Just half a minute. ~ The Councillor said that the man who was charged had always been prepared to do any work he had been asked to perform. The charge should be denied. The Ratepayer: I didn’t make any charge! The Councillor: You made a very serious charge, and you have come to the wrong place with it. This was pointed out to the deputation, who was again asked to say what he drsired the council to do, to which he replied in the already expressed terms. A councillor said that the ratepayer had been in trouble before with other people. “What are you going to do?” the man asked, and the councillor replied that the persons aooused should have boen brought before the counoil when the charges wenmade. The aged resident then explained that he had been in the district for many years, and switched across to a series of informations of what he had witnessed the council’s employees doing. The Chairman: That has nothing to do with cattle on the roads.

“But I am a ratepayer," came the reply. “It is not my business, though.” To conclude proceedings quickly, a councillor remarked, “We will attend to the matter later.”

Placing his hat on Ins head, the ratepayer exclaimed, as he headed for the door, “Rightho; I’ve laid my complaint.”

Councillors then indulged in a conversation. and a suggestion that the ranger should be interviewed was declined, it ooing remarked that the ratepayer had made similar complaints previously. Ordinary business was then proceeded with.