BREEZE IN LOWER HUTT COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 171, 9 April 1918, Page 4

BREEZE IN LOWER HUTT COUNCIL

RESIGNATION OF THE MAYOR, When the general business on tho order paper of the Lower Hutt Borough Council was reached last evening, Councillor J. M'Dougall called attention to a. circular dated March. 25, requesting subscriptions for a testimonial to' be presented to Mr. W. J. Roche, late Borough Engineer. This circular was signed among others by the Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) and Councillors A. J. Hobbs, S. Clendon, and W. Walton. Councillor M'Dougall said he took very strong exception to the statements made in the circular which extolled the work done by Mr. Rocho in the horougli. He dealt with the statements seriatim and combated their accuracy. He moved: "That this council place on record its disapproval of His Worship tho Mayor, and Councillors Clendon, Hobbs, and Walton allowing their names to bo appended to a circular letter soliciting funds in order to recognise the good work of tho ex-Borough Engineer." This was seconded by Comicillor Brassell. Councillor W. Cotton spoke in support of tho motion, also condemning tho statements in the circular. Tho Mayor said he would make no explanation. The circular was brought to him t>y an ox-councillor and he signed it. He endorsed the statements in tho circular. He would accept the motion as a vote of censure. On the motion being put a show of hands was taken, and it was declared carried, Councillor 11. A. : Ward being the only one to vote against it. The three councillors who signed the circular did not yoto. The -Mayor immediately tendornd his resignation and vacated the chair. As there was a small deputation present to wait on the council, tho councillors were anxious to hear what they had to say, and for this purpose Councillor M'Dougall was voted to tho chair and the deputation was heard.