"OUT OF ORDER"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 143, 12 March 1920, Page 8

"OUT OF ORDER"

/ * 4 COUNCILLORS MUST OBEY DEPUTY-MAYOR AND HIS RULING An unexpected.situation arose at last night's meeting of the City Council, when Councillor W. H. Bennett nloved; "That a special committee 'do set up to confer with tlio council's officials and report on necessary works required in the near future, setting out such works in order of including estimate of cost and other information that will assist the council in arriving at decisions, and that such committee devote spec.al attention to the advisability of procuring additional land for the council's activities for tlio storage of material and general works; the committee to report as soon as possible after Ilis Worship, the Mayor's return, and lo consist of: His Worship the Mayor (chairman), Councillors Dale, M'Kenzie, Shorland, Glover, and tlio mover." • The Deputy-Mayor (Councillor G. Frost) said ho had considered the motion carefully, and had decided that it must tie ruled out of order. He ruled accordingly. Councillor Bennett protested against tho ruling. A special committco had been set up in connection with tho milk question, ho said, ■ and when another spccial committee'to deal with important matters was proposed, the motion was ruled out. Tlio Deputy-Mayor-: I rule it out of order. There is no other business before the meeting. Councillor P. Fraser, M.P.: The council is entitled to know your grounds for ruling out tho motion. I move that Your Worship's Tilling be disagreed with. The Deputy-Mayor: I cannot take that motion under the standing orders. You must give'notice of motion, Councillor Eraser. That is all the business. Councillor Frost then vacated the chair. Councillor C. H. Chapman moved that the rilling of tho chair be objected to. Councillor Frost resumed the chair and declared that his ruling must bo obeyed. Councillor Chapman moved that Councillor M'Kenzie should take tho chair. Councillor Frost: You cannot move that. The standing orders provide: "Every member, shall obey the orders and rulings of the chair. If.any member refuses to obey any such order or ruling such member may thereupon by resolution of tho council be held guilty of contempt. Any such order or ruling may, however, bo challenged on notice of motion in the ordinary .vay." Councillor T. Forsyth: I want to speak to this. Councilor Frost: You are not in order. Councillor Forsyth, however, pointed cut that the proposed special committee would override another committee that had to deal with ft certain part of tho council's activities. Councillor Frost: Exactly, The, Deputy-Mayor, again left the chair, but several councillors remained to consider the position. After a few minites' deliberation, the meeting terminated tipon Councillor Frasc.r giv'ng notice of motion to move that the Deputy-Mayor's ruling be disagreed with.