DISCORD AT WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1371, 23 February 1912, Page 3

DISCORD AT WANGANUI.

ENGINEER'S POSITION. (By Telciraoh-Pross Association.) "* Wanganui, February 21. For some time past there has bcsn much disccrd iu municipal matters her* between the llorough-Council and the borough engineer. . Matters apparently came to a crisis at a meeting on February 13, when die Mayor moved that the engineer lie given three, months' notice of the termination of his engagement. No reflection whatever was east on bis professional ability, which was admittediv high, but the ground for the motion was that of alleged "incompatibility of temper." The .Mayor's motion was lost by' six votes to four. The dispute then look a persona! turn, the Mayor statins that, as he had acted at the instigation of a majority of the council, he would resign unless councillors supported him. A special meeting was held this evening, when the, Mayor moved that the engineer be asked' to" resign. After a lengthy diecnss:on,_ on© councillor recanted, and the voting un the motion was five to five. In order that no one might say that he had used his power to give vent to pettv feeling, the Mayor refused to use his 'casting"vole, ami handed ill his resignation. Considerable interest has been aroused in the quarrel, and r,'meeting of the public present was held later, when it was decided to ask the .Mayor to reconsider his decision, and, if he declined, to call ft public indignation meeting.