MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15211, 12 April 1923, Page 4

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

A COUNCILLOR'S SUGGESTION.

THE QUESTION OF TICKETS.

When the time for ordinary business was reached at last night's meeting of the , Hamilton Borough Council, Cr Gilbert gave expression to his conclusion that a special meeting of the Council should be held at which a statement of accounts and a resume of the work traversed during the past year would be presented and made available for publication. With the elections approaching, they were hearing a lot of talk about "tickets." Personally he was not in favour of any "ticket." If the action he suggested were adopted, the Council as a whole could take credit for what good work they had done, and accept the blame where they were guilty. Cr Gilbert, in concluding, thought that it would only be fair to the residents and ratepayers that the Mayor present these statements, which would also give the new councillors, if there were any, a knowledge of what had been done in the old term and what lay ahead. He moved in that direction. Cr Denz, in seconding the- motion pro forma, said that Cr Gilbert should not be allowed to escape "Scot Free" with his statement in regard to "tickets." The speaker had yet to learn that he was on any "ticket" with the exception that he had stated that he would re-contest the election. As to the question of stewardship, the work which was behind him would decide that. If it was of a satisfactory nature he supposed he would be returned, and if it were not he supposed he would be "put overboard." (Laughter.) He stood for the whole of Hamilton and was not for any particular part of it. The Mayor said that the Council table was not the place to discuss desires of and. views on elections. Dealing with the request embodied in the motion, he said that progress reports of the Council's doings were available every quarter and these with the happenings of every meeting were fully recorded in the press. If the people desired knowledge of the operations of the borough they had them before them on these occasions in "digestible quantities," while a full year's review as suggested x would not be so. If so desired he N would be prepared to give a resume of works at the final meeting of the Council. Cr. Webb said that in addition to the reports being before every councillor from time to time the operations of the Council had been very fully reported in the local press. This action, if carried out, looked too much like the cry "Sec what I have donel" Referring to "tickets" Cr Webb said that he had memory of eleven having been on a "ticket" last election and he thought Cr Gilbert was among the number. "I was studiously left off though twelve councillors were needed," added Cr. Webb A voice: They knew you'd get in I

Cr. Gilbert retorted that he did not think he was on the "ticket" alleged. If so it was without his knowledge and consent.

Cr. Farrer said that, If it was to be a public meeting at which ratepayers attended he would agree, but he did not desire lo come back to the table as suggested and go over details they had already heard and were aware of. Cr. Gilbert, in withdrawing his motion at this stage, said that he had not brought it forward with any idea of electioneering.