CHAIR VACATED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 309, 20 July 1933, Page 5

CHAIR VACATED

QPOTIKI COUNCIL MEETING ENDS ABRUPTLY Legal Action Suggested Opotiki, July 19. Tho proceedings at a special meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council last night took a sensational turn' when the Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody, declared the meeting closed and vacated the chair. There was a large attendance of residents, who were in expectant mood. Tho proceedings opened when the Mayor called on the town cjerk, Mr. C. H. Fleming, Vo read the notice calling tho meeting, also the notice of requisition signed by Messrs. Anderson, Patterson and Moody, which stated, inter alia, that the meeting was for the purpose of deciding, if thought fit, to pass a resolution dismissing tho town clerk from office, and suggested that Mr. W. H. Briggs bo instructed to call for applications for tho position of town clerk at a salary of £3 per wetk, phis license fees and that Mr. Briggs act as town cleric pending a new appointment. The Mayor then made tho following (statement: "I wish to make a statement as to the position in which the council stands at the moment. At the spocial meeting on July 4 I was of the opinion that the proceedings were out of order, but as I was not sure of my grounds I decided to allow the meeting to proceed. Since then I havo taken legal advice upon the matter and have now obtained an opinion which I will ask tho clerk to read." Legal Opinion Read Mr. Fleming then read a lengthy legal letter to the effect that most of the proceedings and .-q majority of the council were out of order. Continuing hir, statement, the Mayor said "It is clear from this opinion that the resolutions carried on July 4 wore out of order and for the samo cause the convening of the special meeting for this evening is also out of order. I am, therefore, obliged to rule that the whole of the proceedings at and subsequent to the meeting on July 4 are irregular and void. This being tho case, the meeting called this evening cannot bo held, ; nor can any action be taken at it." Mr. S. Shalfoon rose and said he i had better legal opinion, but did not j produce same. Mr. Anderson (to Mayor): You rcfuso to put this motion? Mr. Shalfoon: We will have to ask the clerk to put the motion. Mr. Short: I should like to point out that the ruling of the Mayor on tho point of order is final. In connection with notice of motions by Mr. Anderson, these arc altogether to drastic. No attempt has been made to review and consider wages and the positions of all borough employees. Tho speaker added that he desired 1 to give notice that he intended to movo at the next regular meeting of the borough council that tho positions, salaries and wages of tho staff and employees be reviewed in connection with the financial position of the borough thereafter and, if considered advisable, that, the following adjustments bo made, n the case of 11. Stewart and C. Payne, whose wages wore governed by an award, their time to bo reduced bv a day and a-half each | four weeks and the wages of all other ' employees, with the exception of the typist, to'be reduced by T> per cent. ! ' Meeting Declared Closed Tho Mayor: That concludes the I business. T declare the meeting closed. Mr. Shalfoon again said he had bet- ! tor legal opinion than the Mayor. ! Wlhcn the Mayor said the meeting j was closed and vacated the chair, I the residents present looked surprisj ed and quietly left, the chamber. I Tho Mayor's ruling means that notice of dismissal to five borough rm- | payees will not at present tftlco I effect.