MAYOR LEAVES MEETING

Southland Times, Issue 25549, 18 December 1944, Page 4

MAYOR LEAVES MEETING

BRUSH WITH MINISTER OF WORKS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, December 17. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. A. C. Allum, this morning walked out of a conference called to consider the future of the 39th General Hospital, which was erected at a cost of nearly £1,000,000 at Cornwall Park. His action followed an interjection by the Commissioner of Works, Mr James Fletcher, that a statement made by Mr Allum was a lie. When Mr Allum protested that he was being insulted the chairman of the conference, Mr Semple, the Minister of Works, commented: “You were looking for it” and ruled that the matter under discussion by Mr Allum was out of order. The Mayor then retired. At the outset Mr Allum informed the conference that Auckland citizens were much concerned with the use made of the reserves in the city area. It was realized that there was need for some of these reserves to be used for war purposes, but it was felt that some should never have been taken. He mentioned Victoria Park and the military annexe at the Auckland hospital, which was built on part of the Auckland domain. After five years the City Council was still unable to come to an agreement with the Government regarding the use of the land. Mr Fletcher: That’s not right. Mr Allum said that months after the park had been evacuated he was still unable to get information about when the buildings would be removed. Mr Fletcher: That’s a lie. Mr Allum: I stand here to say that months after the place has been evacuated I’m still unable to get information as to when the buildings will be removed. , „ x , Mr Semple rose to his feet to declare that they had not come to the conference to be aggressive. Mr Allum: And we didn’t come here to be insulted. Mr Semple: Well, that’s what you are looking for. You are introducing other matters we did not come here to discuss. I do not want any other matters introduced. Mr Allum: Then I’m sorry you invited me to come here. If the statements I have made are not going to be accepted then I hope you will allow me to retire. The Mayor then withdrew. It was finally agreed that the hospital should be used by the Auckland hospital for six years.