Mayor Reprimanded

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 1

Mayor Reprimanded

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, Mav 11.

The Mayor of Mt. Albert, Mr F. G. Turner, has been reprimanded by the council for advertising the council chambers for sale without the approval of the councillors.

Moving the reprimand, Cr. H. Lawson said the advertisement had caused councillors much embarrassment.

“The Mayor has been most indiscreet in his handling of

this affair,” said Cr. Lawson. “Councillors have been superseded and much maligned."

Mr Turner said it was not a case of letting the side down. “There was no question of selling the chambers over councillors’ heads." he said. “1 did not know the advertisement was placed in the paper until I saw it myself." He said the intention of the advertisement was to see what demand there was for the chambers. For a long time there had been thought that council might move its premises. Mr Turner: I have never at any time attempted to try to deceive the council. I Cr. G. N. Kenny expressed I disappointment at hearing the Mayor say he knew nothing | of the advertisement.

“At a previous meeting he gave the impression that he knew there was something going ahead,” he said. The council carried a motion by Cr. D. G. Croot. the deputy-Mayor, that no business be undertaken on behalf of the council by Turners and Growers, Ltd., during the council’s term of office without its written authority. Mr Turner is a section manager of the company. “As far as I am concerned there is nothing to say about it,” said Mr Turner. “It could have happened to anyone.”

He confirmed the original advertisement was placed in the paper by the land department of Turners and Growers.