MR. TREGEAR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1692, 7 March 1913, Page 5

MR. TREGEAR.

AND HIS "POLICY MOTIONS." METHODS OP PROTEST.' AGAINST COUNCIL PROCEDURE.

Councillor Tregear is aggrieved at tho treatment he, or rather some of his motions—policy motions, he calls them— havo received at tho hands of tho city councillors, and last night at tiio meeting he showed his resen'tmeht pcrsistentI}', if not valiantly. There was a proposal before tho council to lease a very little bit of Town Belt to a very largo number of people for a bowling and croquet ground, and ho objected to the land of tho people being given away. Ho protested, and bethought him of his motions low down on a long order paper on an already late night, and ho protested again. His protest availed nothing, 'l'lie council agreed to lease tho ground. Later, Mr; Tregear wanted, to vote away some moro of the people's money than, seemed necessary—to City Council labourers. He was circumvented again, and again he protested. s

The ordinary meeting of tho council was fixed for "8 p.m. or at tho conclusion of the special meeting called for 7.30 p.m." When this special meeting had extended long past 8 p.m., Councillor Tregear referred to tho lack of courtesy shown by councillors in repeatedly shelving his motions, \v herons other business was pi ami ahead by means of a special meeting, lie protested apinst such methods, and at the jSamo time showed opposition to the motion before the special meeting. Councillor Hindmarsh, who was also against tho latter motion, spoko at considerable length, and sat down, stating that Councillor Tregear would follow with somo arguments. The latter, with moro generosity than generalship, allowed two other councillors to speak ahead of him, and then Councillor Smith stepped, in, and moved "that the question bo now put." Councillor Tregear was evidently mi.-cli annoyed. "I object to tho gag,'' ho said. "I desired to speak to this motion —another injustice." Councillor Smith's resolution was put and carried, and subsequently the business of the special meeting was carried. Councillor Tregear protested against unfair treatment, and presently gave notico of motion to rescind. ■ . As soon as tho ordinary meeting came on, Councillor Tregear was unusually punctilious in requiring that tho minutes be "distinctly read, and not gabbled over," but ho did not press that particular , point, and tho "inward correspondence" was reached at 10 pan. Here Mr, Tregear required particulars of almost every letter by asking "What's that?" or "Yes ?"

After half a dozen letters had been called in this style, Councillor Fletcher moved "that nil the correspondence be handed to Councillor Tregear fqr perusal." . ' The Mayor stated tlmt Councillor IYcgear was of course within his rights, b» f no -addressed the latter-. "May I suggest thnt the business be allowed to go on f 1 " Councillor Tregear: My business is not allowed to go on. Why should other councillors rcoeivo any fairer treatment? The Mayor: May I suggest that if you desire to enter a protest that you enter it in somo other way? _ '

Councillor Tregear was inexorable. Thero was, lio said, no other way of doing it. And so the correspondence went on in the samo manner, other councillors facetiously interjecting "You missed one" if Councillor Tregear allowed any letter to go unchallenged. The latter liept Up his usual "Wlvnt's that?" and "Yes?" varying only to ask "Wliat did they want to blast the quarry for?" (in connection with "Roseneatb Municipal Association: Blasting at Quarry") and "What for grazing-purposes'?" (in connection with a letter "C. Howard: renewing lease Sydney Street cemetery"). The inward correspondence occupied fifteen minutes in this style, and Councillor Tregear then proceeded to raiso queries as to tlio outward correspondence. The Mayor pointed out that theso letters were nil written in pursuance of decisions of the council. "I want to say." ho added, "that; it is perfectly wrong for any councillor to trifle with the busrncss in this way." Councillor Tregear: You. do? The Mayor repeated that he thought so, because there was important business to get on withCouncillor Tregear: I have business to get on with,- too (apparently referring to his notices of motionl. The Mayor said, the business should proceed, niid resumed liis seat. Councillor Tregear muttered something to tlio cfioct that not much business would bo done.

Councillor Fletcher: Did your AA rorsliip hear a threat made to the chair as you sat down. The Mavor snid ho had not. heard it. Councillor Fletcher declared that a threat. lmd been issued, ntul lie thought it most improper. During the mnvinp: of the Finance and Property Committee's, recommendations. Councillor Tregear raised amendment*, and culled for divisions oh every available opportunity until the council thinned down to a bnre quorum. Right, towards the close of the proceedings. Councillor Tregear was leaving when ' the Mayor appealed to liim to remain a further five minute? so that, some important committee business could be disposed ot. "AVhy."« asked Councillor Tregear, "should I extend this courtesy that is denied to me?" but he remained to complete the business, and ho was ■ thero when the reporters left.