DEBATE LIVELY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1797, 9 July 1913, Page 7

DEBATE LIVELY.

AT HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL. The wonted quietness which prevails at meetings of the Hutt County Council was broken yesterday, and for some time a lively argument mopped up tie whole energies of some of those present, and the full attention of the others. Some Wo meetings' ago;,&■-■letter; (alleged toi.be "of a personal'natitro") was received-from Mr. W. H. Field, but owinj* to its late arrival it was decided to hold it over until tho next meeting. Prior to tho next meeting, however, '-Mr. Field: asked the chairman "(Mr.' Galloway) if he could withdraw tho letter. The letter was thereupon handed back to Mr. Field. -At the following meeting Councillor Howell had objected to the chairman's action in handing back ■the letter. The letter was, technically Speaking, the council's property. A discussion ensued, which culminated in Mr. Field being asked to treturn, the withdrawn letter. This letter was received with another at yesterday's meeting of the council. ' The letters in question were in regard to a proposal to erect an overhead bridge oveT the Otaihanga railway crossing. Councillor Howell, in discussing the letters, stated that the "withdrawn" missive contained personal remarks about himself.

Councillor Welch expressed the opinion that Mr. Field had cast a slur on the council. '

Tho chairman: In fairness to me, I think that this letter-should be read,

Councillor Howell: No. The chairman: It should be read in fairness to myself. Councillor Howell (to the chairman): You admitted that wliat you had done in returning the letter was done in error, and on that understanding I accepted your answer. The chairman /moved, tliat the "withdrawn" letter be read to tho council, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Councillor Welch moved: "That the letter be returned." "Before putting that motion," said the chairman, "I have something to say. Councillor Howell has issued circulars in my district trying to damage me. At the last meeting, when I came to the office, Mr. Field asked me whether he could withdraw his letter. I referred, the matter to the clerk, and lie snw no objection to tlie letter being returned. Councillor Howell was prosent, and he asked me if he could read tho letter." Coumcillor Howell: I give that an absolute denial. The chairman: He asked me if he could read the letter. He read the letter, smiling frequently, and s'aid that he could not sjo any harm in returning it to Mr. Field. I took it tliat be agreed that the letter could be returned. After he left the office lib made certain statements, intimating that he disagreed with the letter being returned. It was not a gentlemanly act. He could have come back and said that it would bo inadvisable to return the letter. Councillor Edwards: I move that this discussion close. I think we had better go on with tho business. Councillor Howell (thumping the table) declared that the statements made were absolutely false, and a heated exchange followed.

The motion was then carried, and tho discussion dropped.