OUT OF ORDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 143, 7 September 1927, Page 13

OUT OF ORDER

MEETING COLLAPSES MOUNT ALBERT STIR CASE OF THE ENGINEER T3ROTESTS that the proposed dismissal of the engineer, Mr. W. A. Cook, had not been conducted constitutionally, led to an unexpected sequel at the Mount Albert Borough Council's special meeting last night. After quarter of an hour’s discussion, the Mayor, Mr. L. E. Rhodes, decided that the meeting was not in order, and left the chair. WHEN the meeting opened, the en- ** gineer, who last week was invited to resign, and who subsequently was informed by the council's solicitor that more drastic measures would be taken last night, wa.s in his accustomed fflace on the left of the Mayor. Also present were Crs. A. Buckley, J. H. Langley, P. Floyd, R. Allingham, J. Taylor, B. Brigham, W. B. Russell, T. Davis, and several interested ratepayers. ‘ls the meeting open to the Press?” was the first question that arose. Mr. Langley observed that, though he would prefer to deal with the matter openly, l.e thought under the circumstances they* should take the business in committee, with the engineer present. STIGMA ON COUNCIL Mr. Russell said he knew nothing against the engineer, and did not want a stigma to rest on the council, considering what had appeared in the Press. Mr. T. Davis thought it would make no difference if the business was done in committee or otherwise. The result would get about. Asserting that the proceedings surrounding the engineer’s dismissal had been out of order from the outset, Mr. Russell claimed that the council had no power to deal with the matter further. Moreover, the meeting itself was out of order. The Mayor: I rule that the matter is quite in order. This meeting is quite in order. Mr. Russell: That means that the standing orders are useless. A special meeting has to be called by motion of the council, or by requisition in writing, and notice must be given. Mr. A. Buckley: This meeting Is called in connection with, the motion passed last week. GOSSIP AT EDENDALE “Let us play British,” appealed Mr. Buckley. The Mayor: We all want that. Mr. Langley: It is not British for committee business to be disclosed to the Press. . . Mr. Russell: Nor is it British for a councillor to say, as Mr. Langley did at Edendale terminus on Saturday night, that the engineer had wasted £170,000, ant! caused the dismissal of SO men. , . At this stage the town clerk returned with a copy cf the Municipal Corporations Act. After reading the stipulation that a special meeting should be called by notice in writing, the Mayor admitted that the meeting was out of order. _ , , . Messrs. Langley and Buckley bom rose to address the Mayor. The Mayor responded: The meeting is closed, gentlemen. You can do what you like. At least, it isn’t closed. It has never been on. Mr. Rhodes then left the chair, returning a few seconds later to announce that the finance committee would shortly meet to conduct its usual business. The meeting to consider the engineer’s case would have to be held as soon as the required formalities were Sub s equ enll y a formal requisition was handed in, and in accordance therewith, the meeting will be held before the ordinary council meeting next Tuesday.