TWO COUNCILLORS RESIGN

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 305, 18 September 1920, Page 8

TWO COUNCILLORS RESIGN

A DIFFERENCE ABOUT A REPORT

THE MAYOR'S EXPLANATION

Two moiuliers of the City Council, Councillors L. M'Kenirio nnd J. O. Shorland, have placed their resignations in Iho hands of tho Town Clerk. Tho resignations hnvo not yet taken effect, but it appears probable that they will do so. Tho action of the councillors is duo to a difference of opinion, about a payment connected with tho Evans Bay uoworhouso site.

The Mayor (Mr. .T. V'. Luke) explained Hie position from his point of view to a Dominion reporter last night. I "When the council was in committee last night," said Mr. Luke, "n payment of .£125 was passed for the expert ndvice and report furnished by Mr. Bilks in connection with the new power-housa at Evans Bay. One or two of tho councillors staled that they thought it wns a largo sum, but no other oppomtiou was manifested. The voto was passed on the voices without any definite Protest and without any councillor making any formal opjwsitiou to what, to mv mind and that of the council, was a fair payment for professional services rendered.

"Mr. Birks had! made no claim. He had left the matter with th* council. The payment in question had to bo in accordance with tho professional standing of the engineer reporting, and it had a great effect in settling the question of sites. It was a ihamr asset in enabling tho people to make up their minds about tho scheme.

"It has been resorted to me l>v tho Town Clerk that he has tho resignations of Councillors M'Kcnzie and Shorland, to be executed if the cheque is drawn. I wish to 6ar that the cheque wilt bo drawn."