A WOOLSTON STONEWALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10232, 15 August 1911, Page 1

A WOOLSTON STONEWALL.

PROTRACTED MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL.

DISCUSSION ADJOURNED TILL TO-NIGHT.

The Wcolston Borough Council probablv established its record for a lengthy sitting last night, when the question of granting permission to the Woolston Tennis Club to enclose 'a portion of the Woolston Reserve for tennis courts was under discussion.

The matter was opened by the report of the Reserves Committee, which recommended that the rules of the proposed club should be submitted for approval to the Council. The rules were rea d.

Councillor Graham, who opened the discussion, moved that the matter should he held over till the conclusion r.f the Council's business, as there was hkely to be a lengthy discussion on th-a matter, but tfhe motion lapsed for want of a seconder, and the lengthy discussion started.

Councillor Davis said that there had been a wordy discussion by the Reserves Committee on the matter a few nights previously, and he had on that occasion moved that the whole matter should be gone into by the full Council.

Councillor Graham said that he was entirely opposed to the matter coming before the Council. What was the use of a committee, he asked, if it could not deal with such a matter, but "dilly-dallied" with it, and ended by throwing it hack to the full Council for consideration.

Councillor Davis at that stage moved that the rules should bo oonsidered satisfactory by the Council. Councillor Graham, in speaking to the motion, said that the Reserves Committee had certainly made a mistake. There was undoubtedly a large number of resident l ! m the borough who were opposed to the proposal to grant a club permission to enclose a portion of the. reserve. Ho doubted if there were forty people in the borough who were in favour of it. Tho 3 lay or remarked that he hoped Councillor Graham would not hold the floor too long. Councillor Graham, continuing, said that »he would bold the floor as long as lie liked. Ho was there to speak ncainst the proposal, and if tho Council in Unified to go on with the matter iie was " out for them." fie would speak fill morning if the councillors would stay and listen to him. He would speak till " the cows came home, and the dogs heqan to bark." if he did not sink with exhaustion before that time, and if there were anyone left to listen to him. He then proceeded to deal at. length with each rule 1 enarately, nod stonewalled nrrsiot'mtly for nearly five hours. >Io discussed a variety of subjects, including many of the leading political questions of the (lav.

Shortly before ten o'clock the Mayor handed the speaker a written suggestion that he should move thai the matter should be held over for consideration months i'rom date, but the speskor said that bo. was entirely opnosed to ''oeh a course, and proceeded wilh hi« remarks.

At 11.30 p.m. Councillor Graham wa.s f-t.il! mw-tusi'i;.', the rule':, ami refreshments wore handed round t;- the weary councillors. •H an early hour this morning Gounei!ior (iosH.l protested a-swinst the procednro. r f ho May or ■said that if the Council rs si hrdv deeirh'u that, an adjournment advisable bo '-ould the '!o!.ato. and (.euoeiHer Graham could take tin Prior oi> tho resumption of tne debate. ''. he f .vmed doejded thai an adjournment wns necessary, and the Mayor there (ere ndir-iirued the meeting at a.m.. till 1.30 to-niebi.