VOTE OF CENSURE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17126, 30 October 1917, Page 5

VOTE OF CENSURE.

MAYOR REFUSES TO ACCEPT IT.

AN UNAUTHORISED LETTER

DISCLAIMED BY MARTON COUN-

CILLORS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Chronicle.") MARTON, October 2'J. There was trouble in the air at the meeting of the Marton Council tonight, and 4tis evident that the Mayor and Counciflofs are still out of touch. When the minutes were read at the start, the Mayor asked those who were satisfied that they were correct to record their vote^ "Aye." "They are not correct, as they are not ia full record My notice of motion is not recorded," replied Councillor Miles. "There is neither my protest against your ruling recorded." The next subject of discussion was a letter from the "Chronicle," acknowledging a letter from the Mayor, who complained of a report of the last Council meeting.' The Mayor informed the Council that it was a iserni-private letter1 which he had sent. The report had been described by several persons as scurrilous, but personally he considered it a reflection upon the iMayoiy Council, ana town. It might be construed to be libellous.

Councillor Miles: Was it a private or an official letter you sent? The Mayor saici more of a private letter," but it vas required from him as Mayor. He contended in it that the Council was entitled to some apology. Criticism should be tair.

Councillor Jsush said he considerei the report fair and correct, and nothing derogatory either to the Mayor r.iCouncil. The strain of the report was jocular, but nothing to take um&ragd at. It was quite in order. Councillor Miles said he was of tlio same opinion, but what concerned him was that the Mayor had written to tile "Chronicle" without consulting the Council. The letter contained certain threats which the Council would not support for one minute. If it was an official letter it should have been recorded in the Council's books. tie considered that it was an ovei-sight on the part of the Mayor, and he hoped it would not haippen'again. •Councillor Miles moved that a reply be sent to 'the "Onronicle" that the letter was written without the knowledge of the Council,. anxf that the Council considers the report a fair one. The Mayor: That amounts to a vote of censure as far as i am concerned. Cr. Miles : That may bo so. The Mayor: Then I won't take it. You can't move it.

Cr. Miles: We can answer the letter, surely?

The Mayor : Ithas the effect of a vowi of censure, and I need not take "t. Several people considered the report a scurrilous attack on me. I was within my rights. If Councillors don't mind, fchat is alright; but as far as myself and the town are concerned, I strongly objected. No other paper but the "Chronicle", commented.

Cr. Miles: Surely we can say the letter iwas written without the .consent! of the Council. You had -no authority. The Mayor.: I beg your pardon. Cr. Miles: Where's your authority? The Mayor-. My authority is as Mayor. f ...... Cr. MileV: That gives you mb authority. '

The Mayor: It does. Or. Bush: A portion of the letter referred to the Council.

The Mayor: I sxid the Council was entitled to some apology. Or. Bush: But we never asked .'"or one.

The Mayor: Ihe -report suggested that the Mayor 'and Council should resign. ■

Ct. Hunter: The best yet made. $ don't see much in your letter. The Mayor: I don't expect yoj would. . .;

Cr. Bmsih Amoved that tjtie Council disassociate /itself from the Mayor* letter. '

Cr. Miles and the Mayor clashed again at this stage, and in reply to a question the Mayor said his authority tor refusing a censure vote was Mr Martin's opinion. He absolutely refused to accept a censure vote. He was there to project councillors if they could not protect themselves. The motion w&s carried unanimously.' Or Miles: 1 want it recorded: also your ruling. The Mayor: Next business. Recent troubles in connection with the municipal affairs at Marton culminated to-night oy the Council unanimously deciding to form a committee for administrative purposes without the Mayor. Councillor Miles moved the notices of motion standing m Ins name, as under:— . A (1) That the resolutions of the 14th May, 1917, appointing his Worship, the Mayor and Councillors Lloyd and Miles, and of the 25th August," 1917, appointing Councillor Sutcliffe and of the 17th September, 1917' appointing Councillor Harris, members of the Finance Committee, be rescinded.

(2) That the resolutions of the 14th May, 1917, appointing his Worship the Mayor and Councillors Harris and Sutcliffe, and of the 24th September, 1917. appointing Councillor Wilson, members of the Works, Water and Sanitation Committees, be rescinded.

(3) That all resolutions of this Council limiting or restricting th c x powers of Committees of the Council be rescinded. (4) That'the following be a committee of the Council: Councillors Sutcliffe, Bush, Harris, J. Wilson. Hunter and Miles, and that the Council delegates to the Committee the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the Council by the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, and its amendments, subject, however, to the limitations imposed by Section 51 of the said Act. All the motions were dealt with <=>r globo.

Cr. Miles,, in moving them, said it was a machinery n otion to confer proper legal powers on the committee, owing to uneven distribution of work Cr. Bush seconded.

The AJayor characterised it -as & fl extraordinary resolution. If passed there -would be ;\ committee of tin whole Council. He did not think suefi a thing came within the experience of Miy other local bcdy in the Dominion He was sure it was not in conformity with the spirit of the Act, but it showed to what extent the Act might be gotround or misinterpreted. He considered it was being misinterpreted rri this case. The Act said the Counou could delegate any pf its powers 3 but