OPINIONS DIVIDED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20109, 16 May 1935, Page 14

OPINIONS DIVIDED

COUNCIL PROCEDURE QUESTIONED

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN When the time came for the appointment of committees by the newlyelected Timaru Borough Council at its meeting last night, and the Library Committee, with Cr. W, G. Tweedy, as chairman, was moved by the Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) and seconded by Cr. J. R. Hart, Cr. P. C. Vinnell opposed the motion on similar grounds to those offered two years ago. Cr. Vinnell said that he had no complaint against the personnel of the Committee which was a very fine one, or the proposed chairman. He contended, however, that any committee set up should have the right to appoint its own chairman. It would be more correct if the procedure of the old days was followed, each committee to retire after the business had been completed, and elect its own chairman. This principle had been carried out by a number of Mayors with whom he had been associated in the old days and he was at a loss to understand why the Council ever departed from it. The Mayor said he considered that it was very much better to adhere to the rule which had been followed for many years. He thought that it was much more satisfactory for a chairman to be appointed by the Council as a whole than by a committee of four or five members. It was a matter on which the whole Council should vote. Should Cr. Vinnell desire to move an amendment he would be pleased to accept it. Cr. Tweedy said that he appreciated the Mayor’s action in suggesting him as chairman of the committee, but he felt with Cr. Vinnell that the chairman would have greater confidence if he were elected by the committee. Although he did not desire to move an amendment, he would be pleased to leave the election of the chairman to the committee. The Town Clerk (Mr E. A. Killick) quoted the Standing Orders, which he said provided that “the Council may appoint the chairman of a committee.” If the Council failed to do so the committee could. Cr. Vinnell moved an amendment that the question of the appointment of chairman be referred to the respective committees. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Tweedy. | The voting on the amendment was even, as follows: For—Crs. Vinnell, Tweedy. A. S. Kinsman, F. B. Hawkey and A. G. Foster. Against—The Mayor, Crs. P. B. Foote, H. J. Mathers, W. H. Hall, and J. R. Hart. The Mayor gave his casting vote against the amendment, the motion then being unanimously adopted.