TOWN CLERK’S DUTIES

Southland Times, Issue 19254, 27 May 1924, Page 7

TOWN CLERK’S DUTIES

Discussion lir south Invercargill AN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE. ‘The meeting is now open for new business, gentlemen.” The above sentence was the prelude tn a lengthy discussion at the meeting of the South Invercargill Borough Council last evening when a motion calling upon the Town Clerk (Mr A. E. Dyson) to resign his position, was introduced. The discussion was followed with interest by a small section of the public which was present. The matter was brought forward by Councillor Jones, who, in his opening remarks, expressed his regret at Councillor Brown being absent. “However, I am going to go ahead,” he said, “and I will move that the Town Clerk be asked to resign his office. lam not going to deal with it just now as I have the right of reply. In the first place, I should just like to deal with the attitude of the Town Clerk to the Finance Committee right from the inception of the present Council. Of course some of the members were young and inexperienced, and to-night I have learned for the first time how it was that Mr Tait was employed on the election petition. I have been on the Finance Committee for the past twelve months, and this matter has never been brought before the Committee or the Council. When the bill of costs came in and was presented first and foremost to the Finance Committee, the Mayor asked Mr Dyson who employed Mr Tait and Mr Dyson said; ‘I think that Mr Mitchell’s solicitor must have advised me with regard to the matter.’ ” “When the statement came in,” continued Mr Jones, “Mr Dyson knew that he had been mixed up in the matter and knew perfectly well where the order came from. The vagueness of his replies proves that. The fact is that the action was never authorised by the Council and never authorised by the Finance Committee. And after thirteen months we learn that the then Mayor gave the instruction. We have been ignored right throughout the piece and in my opinion I have never liked the Town Clerk’s attitude at all. I would have liked him to have been open and above board.” “ Now I may as well tell you,” continued Mr Jones, “ that I do not trust Mr Dyson. We are getting fairly close to another election, and the last one just about sickened me absolutely. Then take the electoral rolls. We found on looking at the rolls that in the Middle Ward eleven names were put on in pencil. Mark you, such things did not occur in either the North or the South Wards. Something is radically wrong. These little things are going on, and yet at the Council table we have never seen a more harmonious body of men. But the trouble is that when we go outside of the Council we hear some story whereby someone is trying to belittle one or other of the Councillors. Then again too many Councillors are hanging round the Town Clerk and, if I were in the Town Clerk’s position I would keep them away. Or if they want some information, let them come here, examine the books and bring it up at the Council table. To my mind, the Town Clerk should take up an absolutely neutral position.” Councillor Bridges: I rise to a point of order. I would ask him to name the Councillors to whom he imputes such motives. Councillor Jones: Another point I would like the Council and Mr Dyson to understand is that I am sincere. I have had three years’ experience and my honest conviction is that 90 per cent, of the trouble emanates from this particular place. I am sure that the Council has done good business and our finances to-day show that our position is as good as it has ever been. I firmly believe that Mr Dyson has neglected his duty, and in regard to Mr MacMahon’s letter concerning the nightsoil question I am of opinion that it was merely an effort to get one on to the Council. Mr Dyson is responsible to us alone, and should carry out our instructions. I will leave the matter at that. The Town Clerk: I think I can claim to have the resolution in writing. The Mayor: Understand that I am in charge of this meeting. The Town Clerk; Surely I am entitled to ask for that. Councillor Neilson: In seconding the motion I do so with some reluctance. Prior to the election a close relative of mine came here to do business and the Town Clerk gave him a tongue-banging concerning Mr McChesney. This goes to show the efforts of Mr Dyson to bring about the defeat of Mr McChesney. Ido not think myself that a policy of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds is a desirable one for anyone to adopt. It is not a pleasant business to have to speak in such strong terms but I cannot help it. My opinion is that Mr Dyson is a victim of outside interferences and these busy-bodies make the darts and Mr Dyson does his best to fire them. Councillor Holloway; I would move as an amendment that tie Council go into committee. No good has ever resulted from this sort of thing. I hold no brief for Mr Dyson, but as man to man I think we should give him some protection. If Ido find that Mr Dyson has done wrong I am going to vote him out straightaway. He has done good work for a number of years in his job but, gentlemen, surely he has not got to suffer like this with all these charges being made in open Council and with the representatives of the Press present. It is not fair, and as Britishers we must give him a chance, but I don’t think we should do it in front of the Press. Let us give him a chance to speak for himself. It is for the Council as representatives of the people to deal with the business. Councillor Smith seconded the amendment, adding that it was for the Town Clerk to say whether he preferred the discussion to be taken in open Council or in Committee. The Mayor: It is no use discussing it until the amendment is decided. The Town Clerk: It is no good me going before a Committee after the attitude of the Mayor. The Mayor: You will be suspended if you don’t keep quiet. Mr Dyson; This is not fair British play. Councillor Jones: You will get fair British play. The voting was then proceeded with and the amendment to go into Committee carried by 6 votes to 3. After a three hours’ discussion in Committee it was decided to ask the Mayor and Councillor Jones to discuss the position with the Town Clerk with a view to the latter giving an understanding not to discuss Council business with outside persons or to take an active part in elections; Councillor Jones’s motion in the meantime to be held over and to be brought up at a special meeting to be held about the middle June.