CENSURED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1838, 26 August 1913, Page 6

CENSURED.

, PASSAGE IN HUTT COUNCIL. Unanimously voted to the chair during -the Mayor's absence, and then made itte subject of a vote of censure —such [was tho unique exporienco which Councillor Bali faced at last evening's meeting of tho Hutt Borough Council. v Th 9 Mayor (Mr. E. I'. Bunny) stated that ho had one matter wihich lie regretted he had to refer to, and that was: (that a member of tho council had made •Wso of a certain expression at last meeting. Ho had asked the councillor 'in question to withdraw tho remark, but tlhe latter had declined to do so. T(he (Mayor (said Mr. Bunny) was the judge «is to wiiothor an expression, was objectionable or not. "Now," said the Mayor, '"if the expression had been used to me Ip. would have passed it over, but it was /used to one of the gentlemen present 5n this council, and I think that tho councillor wihQ used it should withdraw.. have given liim an opportunity to do bo' before, and I hope that he will see that ,in the interests of decent proce'idure it will bo well to comply with myRequest. I will therefore aslt Councillor Ball to reconsider the attitude wliich ,3ie took up at the meeting on Monday •last." .

l Ball replied tliat he had not •.wished to be disrespectful to the chair. I "What led up to my expression," he continued', "was the attack which Mr. iK. Bjshwortli made on me. He did not .feel inolined to withdraw his remark, "and l I don't feel inclined to withdraw (Biine. lam sorryto lhave to take this letand." Councillor Dawson remarked that Councillor Ball would be well advised )f. Ihe reoottsidered; Jun,' decision. '"Look, Councillor "Ball," the speaker continued." "'"You have been voted 1 to the chair, while the Mayor was absent, 'and it will look very bad to be censured on the same evening." Tho Mayor said that it did not seem to him at the timo that Mr. RAsh■worth was speaking that he waa, passing, remarks about Councillor Ball. Councillor Meldrum' said that he was sorry to seo Councillor Ball . assume the stand which he .was taking. He Aad partly, promised to withdraw last nveek. , Councillor Ball: That was under certain conditions. The Mayor': A, withdrawal must be -Councillor' _ Clendon said that he thought that it was extremely unpleasant that , the council should have to ■ask Councillor Ball to withdraw his remarks. "' , ' _ Councillor Bail: Mr. Rishworth should 1)6 asked to withdraw his remarks. . The Mayor; You decline to withdraw? ' Councillor Ball: That is so, - your Worship. I don't want to be disrespectful to tho chair, although I 'know I am. Tho Mayor: It is my duty to move that Councillor Ball, in declining to withdraw this remark, is guilty of contempt and he reoeivo tie censure of this council. <

Tho motion was carried unanimously,