ALL WALKED OUT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 13

ALL WALKED OUT.

Takapuna Councillors ih Dispute. MAYOR ON WARPATH. (Special to the "Star.”). AUCKLAND, February 14. For the second time within a fortnight Takapuna Borough Councillors last night walked out of the council chamber, leaving the Mayor, Mr J. Guiniven, to meditate upon a particularly full order paper, consideration of which was not completed. The barometer registered “ stormy ” from the outset and there were many heated arguments between the Mayor and the council. There was a large attendance of ratepayers but the meeting, which opened at 7.15, ended abruptly at 8.10 pm. All members of the council attended except Mr T. M. Rollo. Mayor’s Letter. Trouble started when the first item on the part of the order paper known as “ interim correspondence ” was taken. This intimated that the Mayor. Mr Guiniven, had -written asking what steps were being taken to recover rates due by councillors. Before the Town Clerk had time to read the Mayor’s letter, Mr G. Galbraith moved that it be transferred to the Finance and Legal Committee. This was not seconded, but Mr C. L. Clifton immediately rose and moved that the letter be not read, Mr Crowley seconding. This motion was ruled by the Mayor to be a negative. Mr C. M. Dowd moved that the matter be deferred for six months and Mr W. Hall seconded the motion. Councillors* Rates. The Mayor: Here we have a councillor seconding a motion that the matter be deferred for six months—a matter which concerns himself. That in itself is a breach of the Municipal Corporations Act, I’m sure. Two members of this council owe between them over £2OO in rates. No action has been taken by the Finance and Legal Committee about it. Other ratepayers are being forced to pay rates. Properties are put up for sale because rates are in arrears, and yet no action is taken in these tw r o cases. The committee is not doing its duty in taking action against others, harassing them and selling their properties. It is not fair that a precedent should be established. It is not right that councillors should now object to reading my letter and further. it is not fair to me in the chair. I will move as an amendment that the borough solicitor be requested to take action to recover the rates due. The Mayor's amendment was not seconded. After a good deal of cross-talk by councillors generally Mr Clifton requested that the motion be put. A Procession. Mr Guiniven told Mr Clifton that if he did not sit down and stop interrupting him he would ask him to leave the room. * I will, too,” said Mr Clifton, rising. “ I will go and other councillors will follow me.” He then headed a procession, all councillors, excepting Mr Galbraith, leaving the chamber. “You can have a discussion all on your own! ” said Mr Clifton, in some heat, as he walked slowly out. “ Your action to-night is about the meanest thing any man could have done.” Mr-Guiniven: I’ll have you put out. Mr Clifton: You can do what you. like. I say what I like now—we are not in council now.” “ The meeting lapses for want of a Quorum.” said the Mayor, and added: “ That shows the class of men I have got against me in the council.”