A STORM THREATENED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 6

A STORM THREATENED

AT A BOROUGH COUNCIL ■ MEETING. There was a stormy scene at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last evening. The incident arose with respect to i the purchase of a motor chassis which was resolved upon at the previous meeting. The Mayor, who introduced the matter, gave a long and dcailed statement that the council had paid £200 in excess of the value of the chassis. It was alleged that the Mayor had made statements regarding the purchaso to various people in the borough, and such statements, it was alleged, wero a reflection on the vendor of the chassis.

Very early in the evening the Mayor wished to introduce the matter,. but he was assured that the vendor would he present, and he deferred making his remarks until a later stage. When the Mayor did essay to make his remarks, there were one or two efforts made to have the matter taken in committee, but the Mayor deolined to act on the suggestion, because the resolution authorising the purchase was passed in open council. The vendor, who interrupted to say some warm things, stated that he would have to offer some very serious criticism of the action of the Mayor, and therefore suggested that the discussion should be taken in committee. The Mayor again refused to act on the suggestion. After some more interruptions and cross-questions, the Mayor was allowed to proceed. Mr. M'Ewan came well armed with facts and figures and documents. His statement was given with, great clearness and amid silence, and he finished by claiming that he had proved his allegation that the council had been overcharged. The vendor was then.invited to make a statement, and accepted the invitation.