USE OF THE PARK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13987, 25 November 1919, Page 6

USE OF THE PARK.

BOROUGH COUNCIL AND CHAUTAUQUA. The Borough Council last evening held a special meeting to discuss the position which had arisen over the granting oil the use of the Park to the Chautauqua. The Mayor presided, and all the councillors were present except Crs .McLcod and O'Le'ary.

The Mayor stated that it had now been, ascertained that the law said it was not permissible to grant the use of tlie Park for more than three consecutive days, and the Council had to reconsider its recent decision. The Mayor then detailed the circumstances leading to t.h.e municipal solicitor being interviewed.

Cr. Watson wished to know upon whose authority the solicitor had been interviewed.

Tho Mayor stated that the matter was brought under his notice, and the town clerk's action met with his approval and sanction. Cr. Burridgc stated that ho could explain more about the matter than anyone present. He detailed the interview with the Town Clerk, and pointing out the position to him. The speaker declined to give any account of what had taken 'placje in his office. He acted at the instigation of a client, but he wished to emphatically state that personally he did not accept the responsibility of obtaining any legal opinion. The Town Clerk read section 29 of the Public Reserves Act. He said he was shown the Act by Cr. Burridge, and did not think the Act applied 'in this case. The clerk then read various legal opinions, including that of Mr T. E. Martin, of Wellington, solicitor to tho Municipal Corporations Association. In reply to a question as to the law affecting the bowling green, the Mayor said that the bowling green came under municipal enterprises. At this stage a letter was read from the Chautauqua guarantors that it had been decided, owing to the position that had arisen, to obtain another site for the holding of the Chautauqua. Cr. Burridge complimented the Chautauqua guarantors upon their community spirit shown in wthdrawng. He formally moved that the resolution granting the use of the Park be rescinded. This was seconded by Cr. Watson.

Cr. Watson sad that, in supporting Chautauqua he felt that he was doing something for the benefit of the community. All the noise had proceeded from but a very small section, and that section was not doing anything for the good of the public generally. The Mayor.stated that he was very disappointed when he found the position in which the guarantors were placed. However, he congratulated them upon the public spirit shown, and the help they had given the Council to assist it out of the difficulty. Cr. Watson asked if the Town Clerk had collected the fee of £10 charged last year. The Town Clerk: "No." Cr. Watson: "Then why arc these things winked at, your Worship? If we erect a tent in any part of the borough we will have to pay this fee. A circus or any show would have to do likewise.'- . After further discussion Cr. Burridge withdrew his motion in order to comply strictly with the Borough Council's standing orders. Cγ. Henderson raised another point of order. He stated that two councillors at \he previous meeting had voted who •were monetarily interested in the matter. Both gentlemen were guarantors of the movement. The Mayor moved that the offer of the Chautauqua guarantors to provide themselves with a site other than the Park Oval be accepted, and that the Council congratulates these gentlemen upon their action. —The motion was carried.

Cγ. Burridge: "Does your Worship consider that your motion rescinds the motion'of the Council? It does not erase the previous resolution." The. Mayor: "Oh, no. It is perfectly right to' withdraw the former motion. We granted the use, and.now, under Section 29, Ye find we have not the power to do so. Notice of "motion can now bo given. Owing to Or. King's point of order, it can only be carried that way.'' The discussion then closed.