THE MAYOR RESIGNS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 31, 1 October 1912, Page 3

THE MAYOR RESIGNS.

The Retiring Mayor, If some sudden tragedy had been announced it could have caused no greater sensation at the meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council, on Wednesday night, than the resignation of the Mayor (Mr W. Dunn). The Mayor handed a letter to the Town Clerk, whose query : " Am I to read this ?" caused the Council to prick its ears. " Yes, that's what I gave it to you for," answered His Worship pleasantly. The Clerk read.— Pukekohe, September 25, 1912. To the Clerk and Members, Pukekohe Borough Council GENTLEMEN,—KindIy accept ray resignation as Mayor of the above borough and oblige.—Yours faithfully, William Dt : nn\ Cr. Lawrie (as if his ears deceived him): " What !" An embarrassing silence ensued, councillors being quite taken by surprise. It was plain that the resignation would not be received without protest. Mr Dvkx's Remarks.

Mr Dunn said he could assure them that neither the action of the Council nor of the public had anytliing to do with his action. When he accepted nomination for the Mayoralty he did so against his bettor judgment. Since he had been Mayor he had had to work all tho time and overtime, >md to successfully carry out his dutios as Mayor would occupy tho whole of his time. He simply could not afford to give the wholo of his time to tho borough and he had always held the thoory that when a man could not give the necessary time to any position. he should vacate the position. To be consistent he therefore tendered his resignation. When he took office things wore somewhat involved, but now that the people had sanctioned the loans it was only right that tfco now Mayor should take up the petition. Borough affairs were now plain sailing ; it was only a mattor of giving time and attention to the work.

Nobody spoke for some time after the Mayor had resumed his seat. At length Cr. Lawrie said : "I think you haven't given this thing sufficient consideration." The Mayor : " Yes, I have given it weeks of consideration."

Cr. Johns agreed with Cr Lawrie. It waa largely duo to the personality of the Mayor that the loans wore so well supported, and the ratepayers expected that he (Mr Dunn) would administer the money. The Council had full confidence in the Mayor and he would be very sorry indeed if his Worship resigned. The Mayor said he had nothing to say against the way he had been treated by the Council or by the public. But certain things were due to himself and to his family. lie thought he had shown he was prepared to help the borough (hear, hear) but he could not retain the position of Mayor. Cr. Comrie : This comes very unexpectedly to me and I am sorry to hear it. When things had been done so well it was a pity that the Mayor should give it up There had been a lot of work to do but it did not appear that the work in future would be so heavy. I think," he added, we might ask our Mayor to reconsider it " The Mayor : " There is no chance. I have a reputation for being impulsive but T generally know my own mind."

Cr. Bilkuy thought it a ic'stake for the Mayor to resign , he knew of the hard work the Mayor had had and ho appreciated it Cr Hamilton to the Mayor"

"Your Worship, ,ay you can't make the sacrifice, hut tun we not anyone else to do the work Cr. Comrii*: I do not think any other man would haYedoue Mr Dunn's work." Cr Hurt I don't think .so either." The Mayor : "For the benefit of the place and my own credit I could not do otherwise than up" Cr Lawrie said In- thought it was the Council's duty to pay tlm Maym lor what !u; had done That had been tie- intentiiiii all almi^' Crs. Hail iithl I'iilki v ''• i tamiy Cl'. Pull--ill 1 lie I.i'Vl'l t!snl;/V lor ain oil,i lit that the May t b< "nd not be paid The Maym sain tii.it wi ia ? had truiispii -d ie- ■mi id ii"t. nf 11 xii -■ . hi ci'lit payment. Hi- nay, 1. wrver, that they wniild lint tan cniintant tn dn tie' wnrk lie had dm." under £■)". Still iie di'ii not \\ ;irll anything end wnuld i;ive tin- jiei jic his service* ('niini ilinr, : That's not fair at all. .\ Imig disi iission ensued in cninnrt tee but the Maynr withstood tin unanimous pressure oi the Council that he should withdraw his resignation

TOO GREAT A SACRIFICE. BOROUGH COUNCIL'S REGRET. CR LAWRIE DEPUTY MAYOR.

(Jr. C'omrio: " Well, gentlemen, if there'* no elitineo of the Mayor reconsidering his decision I move, That the resignation be accepted, and I do that with regret." Cr. Lawrie : It is with sincere regret that I second the motion. lam particularly sorry to seo Mr Dunn leaving the chair. I feel the seconding of this resolution very keenly. The motion was put and carried. The Acting Mayor. Cr. Lawrie was appointed acting Mayor on the motion of Crs. Hamilton and Comrie. Cr. Comiie was authorised to sign cheques. Election of Mayob. A special meeting of the Council is to be held to-morrow (Wednesday) evening to elect a Mayor to succeed Mr Dunn. According to the Act this duty devolves upon the Council. If a Councillor be selected to the position then there will be an election to rill the extraordinary vacancy created on the Council.