SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15341, 15 September 1923, Page 5

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

A COUNCILLOR'S ACTION.

"DOWNRIGHT PIECE OF CHEEK."

TROUBLE AGAIN AT MATAMATA.

Cr. E. J. Darby at yesterday's meeting of the Matamata County Council read a private letter received by him from the Audit Office wherein it was mentioned that the Audit Office " will report later on the issues raised by him." Prior to reading the letter he remarked that he was going to take all present into his confidence. Cr. Slopford: Not me into your confidence! Cr. Darby: As councillors, Cr. Stopford. Before proceeding I ask for a withdrawal of the remark. Cr. Stopford: I withdraw. Continuing, Cr. Darby briefly explained what called for this reply, and said that he had disclosed the above a; this date in order to clear the clerk. '• It docs not affect our clerk," he particularly laid stress on. The chairman and councillors expressed astonishment at the action of Cr. Darby. The chairman said he should have come to,the Council before going to Wellington, and asking for a special audit of accounts. It indicated that he had no confidence in his fellow councillors.

In reply, Cr. Darby said he had asked only for an audit of his riding affairs; in particular, a certain contractor's account. "I am perfectly justified in what I have done," he said. Cr. Stopford: " Downright! piece of cheek. Cr. Darby has gone out of his bounds altogether." Cr. Darby: "I have disclosed this matter at this stage at the personal request of the clerk. I wish to see the clerk defended, even from a jocular accusation. I do not feel inclined to submit to badgering. I am prepared lo take criticism, not abuse." The Chairman: "When you take it upon yourself to interfere with Council business you must expect criticism." Cr. Darby: "'Cheek' is not criticism. Are you aware, Mr Chairman and gentlemen, that the ratepayers in Putaruru, Overdale, Waotu and Puketurua have, at various meetings, expressed their desire to see the contractor in question dismissed. To carry out the wish of the ratepayers would have been the simplest way, but in my opinion it would not have been just. Therefore, the longest and most just method has been taken." The chairman reminded Cr. Darby that the proper course would have been for him to have asked the Council to support him in his method of rectification.

Cr. Darby: "Not one of you gentlemen has the same interest in my riding as I have. It is only human nature. If I had submitted matters to the Council the reply which I have today in my possession would perhaps 'be still in the air.' It only affects my riding; it does not affect any councillor. What I want done I do myself, and take full responsibility. No insult to the councillors was meant." Cr. Judd said Cr. Darby had, by dealing with the matter privately, cast a very serious reflection on all connected with the administration of the Council's affairs. " There is a wrong and a right way to do everything. In this matter Cr. Darby selected the ■ wrong ' by taking individual action on a Council matter."

Cr. Darby here interjected, whereupon Cr. Judd appealed to the chairman, asking him how many times Cr. Darby could reply, as he, he said, had already been on his feet six times." Chairman: You may reply, Cr. Darby, when'councillors have all spoken. Cr. Allen was of the opinion that Cr. Darby had gone out of his bounds and, further, had cast a grave reflection on the late engineer. " Perhaps," said Cr. Judd, "if Cr. Darby would read to the councillors the letter he sent which called for the answer from the Audit Office we might understand his grievance."

Cr. Darby thereupon read the letter sent to Wellington in which he stated that prior to becoming a councillor he was under the impression that la the Putaruru riding there existed some serious misgivings as to irregularity in payments. Since becoming a councillor his beliefs had been strengthened, and he asked that an enquiry be made. Cr. Rollett asked what position the councillors as a whole would be placed hi if the alleged irregularity had been made. The chairman did not know.

Cr. Stopford believed that, under the circumstances, "bygones should haye been bygones." To this Cr. . Darby did not agree, at ithc same time stating that some of the Irregularities in his mind had taken place this year. The matter under discussion, he pointed out, had only been disclosed to his ratepayers 14 days ago.