DISPUTES IN COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1933, Page 12

DISPUTES IN COUNCIL

BOROUGH OF OPOTIKL MORE LONG ARGUMENTS. Opotiki, August 30. The adjourned meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council was held last night, there being a full attendance of members, together with a large number of residents. Interest was keen. Last week’s meeting had been adjourned before the minutes had been confirmed, as some members had insisted on many alterations being made, these alterations being fixed with the town clerk the next day. At the commencement of the meeting last evening Mr. S. Shalfoon objected to the way alterations had been made in the minutes by the clerk, but eventually the minutes were confirmed. When the question of passing accounts came up Mr. Shalfoon wanted to know if there was enough money in. the bank to pay them. The Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody, replied in the affirmative, but a lengthy discussion about funds ensued. Regarding amounts shown for wages, Mr. Shalfoon said his party had decided that no wages should be paid from July 27 to the outside staff, and he asked that the clerk should delete all amounts of wages for the dismissed men from that date. This caused further argument. Mr. Shalfoon stated that his party did not recognise a letter reinstating the men who had been dismissed. After the clerk had given the names of men who had been dismissed, Mr. Shalfoon moved that the wages of these men be not passed for payment. This motion was seconded by Mr. S. Patterson and carried by 5 votes to 3. Mr. J. P. Moody wished to know if the Mayor accepted responsibility for the wages that had not been passed. The Mayor replied that would be shown later. ■ Mr. Short moved that the balance of accounts with the exception of Shalfoon Bros.’ account, be passed for payment. The motion was defeated, and it was then discovered that no accounts had been passed. Some objection was raised when the foreman’s report was read, and a motion was carried that as there was no foreman the report read was not a foreman's report. Mr. Shalfoon moved, in accordance with notice of motion, that a general rate jf be struck, and the fixed rate be the same as last year, making a total of ifd. The clerk read an advertisement which stated that the general rate was z> be made three farthings. Mr. Short pointed out that the altera;ion could not be made without altering he whole notice and advertising afresh. Another long argument ensued, and inally the meeting was adjourned until Thursday evening.