“ I’LL HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19242, 2 December 1930, Page 5

“ I’LL HAVE YOU ON YOUR KNEES.”

HEATED WORDS HEARD v AT TIMARU MEETING. (Special to the “Star.”) TIMARU, December 1. An allegation that the Mayor of Timaru (Mr XV. Angland) had acted improperly in drawing his honorarium before it became due was made by Councillor W. 11. Hunt at this evening's meeting of the Borough Council. A sharp passage of words followed, Councillor Hunt being ordered to leave the room, but refusing to do so; he also refused to make an apology. In accordance with notice, Councillor Hunt moved: That in future no Mayor of the Timaru Borough shall be permitted to draw his honorarium, or any part of it, in advance, without the unanimous consent of the council. “This notice of motion is subject to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, which stipulates the limit of the allowance to be made to a Mayor,” said Mr Angland. “My allowance is made for my term of office, which allowance I have received; therefore, a motion of this sort is beyond our powers, and is not the business of this council. It is out of our hands, and is for a new council to deal with. This being the position, I rule this motion out of order/* Amounts Paid. A statement tabled by the town clerk (Mr E. A. Killick) showed that on May 22, 1929, the Mayor had drawn £125 (six months’ honorarium), on October 9. 1929. a further £125, and on April 1, 1930, £250 (one year’s honorarium). On the first two dates Councillor Hunt countersigned the cheques. In addition, the Mayor was paid £6 12s in March, 1930, for his expenses to the Municipal Association's annual conference. Councillor Hunt then asked why the motion was ruled out of order. The Mayor: I’ll telTyou again if you sit down. Councillor Hunt: Thank you. This is. not the end of the chapter, I'll see to that. The Mayor: Take your seat. Councillor Hunt: I’ll take my seat, but I will see about it. The Mayor: I won’t allow you to use that class of language. Next business. Councillor Hunt: In twelve months you have drawn £SOO of the Council’s money; and do you, as chief magistrate of this town, tell me that that is right? I have documentary evidence which shows that you have drawn £SOO in twelve months. The Mayor: Take your seat. Councillor Hunt: You'll take yours very soon. The Mayor: If you insult me any more I*ll have you removed. (To the Town Clerk: Killick, come here one second). Mr Killick returned to his seat. Apology Refused. The Mayor (to Councillor Hunt) : I order you to take your seat. Councillor Hunt: I will, but I*ll rise again. With your permission I’ll leave the room. The Mayor: You’ll apologise to me before you leave. Councillor Hunt: Never! That’s the

second time you’ve ruled me out of order over this matter. The Mayor: You apologise. Councillor Hunt: Never, sir. Before I apologise I’ll have 3*ou on your bended knees. The Mayor: You withdraw that word. Councillor Hunt: I will not, and I’m never going to. The Mayor: I’ll have you removed Councillor Hunt: There is no need for that. I know my duty as a gentleman. I'll just hear the next business and will then withdraw. The Mayor: Next business please.

Councillor Hunt remained till the eiv of the meeting.