"LAW AND ORDER."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1883, 17 October 1913, Page 8

"LAW AND ORDER."

COUNCILLOR AND THE TRAM POSTERS;

WARM COUNCIL DEBATE.

The action of City Councillor E. Tregoar in removing advertising boards irora tho fronts uf two tram-cars was discussed by the City Council last liigkt. 'i'he discussion arose when the Tramways Committee reported:—"'l'hat the Tramways Board or Management reports that on October 7, Councillor Tregear removed advertising boards from line fronts of two tramcars."

Tlio Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said that it was to be regretted' that a councillor tfhom they all esteemed very highly, and who would not develop a system ill opposition to law and order, should have taken the boards off the cars. 'I'he government of tho City could not be carried oil. if the persons associated with the council acted in such a manner. ,

Councillor Tregear said that ho was willing to desist from doing any illegal thing, but taking improper advertisements from cars was not illegal.

"I have a great deal of sympathy with Councillor Tregear," said Councillor It. Fletcher. Ho added that he was inclined to think that Councillor Tregear' had ground for his action. He (Councillor Fletcher) had "been against this kind of advertising on tho cars, and if agreement to it had passed through tho council it had been without his knowledge of it. i Councillor Tregear: No, it is the result of deliberate deceit. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald said that Councillor Tregear should bo made withdraw the word "deceit." The Mayor said that if Councillor Tiegear had used the word as applied to any member of the council or officer ■of-the council ho must withdraw it. •' Councillor Tregear: I-won't withdraw it. The Mayor: Very well, I shall have to be under the painful of not allowing you to speak again: Subsequently Councillor Tregear withdrew, the word. Councillor Fitzgerald then went on to express tho opinion that in removing the advertisements Councillor had acted indiscreetly. Councillor M. F. Luckie observed that a great deal of silly sentimentality was indulged in oh the subject. Everywhere tramcars were' advertised on, and here the income derivable was so large that they should, not throw away the money and go back on a contract, and thereby render the council liable to an action for damages. Every dash-board would carry two advertisements worth 2s. 6d. per week, which jneant that the, dashboards were each worth 10s. per week, or, say, £2000 per year. Councillor Fletcher moved to have deleted from the agreement the clause permitting advertising on the outside of tramcars. Ho "did not thinlc" i.Ti's City Council could descend so low for tho sake of a few thousand pounds." Ke favoured this course even if the council had to pay compensation. Tho clause referred to by Councillor Fletcher reads: "All dash-board advertisement shall relate only to publio and social gatherings, and sales, and theatrical notices, and the like." The Mayor required Councillor Fletohor to give notico of his motion. Councillor Tregear remarked that tho tenders were not wbiit they purported to be. ' ' . The Mayor: You must restrain yourself a bit. Councillor Tregear: Yes, but I ain not going to be bull-dosed. The Mayor: You will not bo bulldosed while I am in the chair. The Mayor said that the matter of advertising had been absolutely in order.

Councillor W. J. Thompson protested against advertisements being placed over ventilators on double-decker cars. The Mayor: Tho councillor is right. Councillor R. A. Wright said that it was most'objectionable to have the advertisements on the outside of -.cars. He had not understood that such was in the. contract, but he did not know what could be done now that the contract was made.

Councillor L. M'Kenzie was not opposed to the principle of advertising on cars, and if the council had entered into the matter they must go through with it, although the advertisements wore unsightly., ■ The subject was then departed from. No resolution was made.