EXCEPTION TAKEN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20542, 18 February 1935, Page 3

EXCEPTION TAKEN.

Remarks of Tramway Board Member. “A LITTLE FLUTTER.” “ This is one of those little flutters we have occasionally',” remarked the chairman of the Christchurch Tramway' Board (the Rev J. K. Archer) this afternoon, pouring oil on troubled waters after Messrs C. E. Jones and J. Mathison had taken exception to opinions expressed by’ Mr G. T. Thurston, another member of the board, at a meeting of ratepayers at Upper Riccarton. “The remarks of Mr Thurston certainly' reflect on this board.” said Mr Jones, who quoted a newspaper cutting in which Mr Thurston said that the districts in the tramwav area should be abolished and that membe's should be elected for the whole of the tramway area. Mr Thurston was reported as say'ing that some members did get privileges for their district at the expense of the rest of the area. “ I think that reflects also on y'our chairmanship,” said Mr Jones to the chairman. Mr Jones said that during his membership of the board he could not recall a case where one district had received preferential treatment over another district. “ I think Mr Thurston has probably been misreported or he got a little excited,” added Mr Jones. “ I think the board’s interest has been the tramway district as a whole and good work has been done.” Tendency Only. Mr Thurston said that while, in a sense, he had been correctly reported, one or two words had been dropped which would have put a different construction on the subject. He had stated that there was a tendency for some members to get privileges for their district at the expense of the rest of the area. He thought the board should represent the whole area. Mr Mathison said he wished to give an emphatic denial to the implications made by' Mr Thurston. The statement of Mr Thurston contained inaccuracies. Mr Thurston had stated, according to another report, that amusement ~:id apathy had been shown by members. “ I have shown neither amusement nor apathy while a member of this board.” said Mr Mathison. “Mr Thurston’s remarks have given an entirely wrong impression of the way' the board’s business is conducted. I challenge anyone to show that we have been parochial in any one regard. Before accusations of this sort are made we ought to have one or two specific instances. It seems that Mr Thurston is speaking for himself.” “ Not Happily Expressed.” The chairman said that when he read the report he thought Mr Thurston had not happily' expressed himself. Personally, he did not think the board could be charged with parochialism. When some matters were received by the board with, perhaps, a touch of humour, it did not mean or imply criticism or parochialism. “It is a great thing to possess a sense of humour,” added Mr Archer. Mr Thurston said he was surprised at the attitude of the board. He made no specific charges but remarked on the tendency under the existing system. Preferential treatment, for instance, had been given to seaside people and it was at the expense of the people of other areas. “ I intend from now on to fight for the abolition j of the districts,” said Mr Thurston.