NOT CONFIRMED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 246, 12 July 1921, Page 6

NOT CONFIRMED

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING CHALLENGED ANIMATED DISCUSSION AT PETONE

COUNCILLORS AND MAYOR AT VARIANCE

On the question of the confirmation of th--minutes at the meeting of the Petone Borough Council last night, Councillor D. S. Bedingfield stated that in view of the fact that the Mayor had adopted a policy of settling the business of the council, both at and away from the chamber, it was necessary that careful Consideration should be given to- the minutes before they were passed as correct. What he was about to say was actually connected with tho business of tho borough. The Mayor said that the only question ho could accept was whether tho minutes were correct or not. He would like to know what particular point Councillor Bedingfield was endeavouring to raise. Councillor Bedingfield: It is just a question between you and me as to whether the minutes are correct or not.

... On page 3 there is a motion moved bv yourself, and seconded by Councillor Churchouse, to which Councillor Jones raised a point of order. There is no record of that in the minutes. The Mayor: I can't help that, can I? The question is ono for the clerk. The town clerk, after referring to his notes, eaid that he could find no mention there of the point of order having been raised. Tho Mayor: That settles that. Tho question before the meeting is whether the minutes arc correct. Councillor Jones asked if he would b® in order in moving a motion. The Mayor: I’m asked for a division, Councillor Jones. Upon a division being taken, the council refused to confirm the minutes. Councillor C. P. Brockelbank moved that a ref fiance to the point of oidor be inserted in the minutes. The Mayor said that he must protest, and unless sufficient j-eason were given there was no record in the 1 Tess, and the clerk had no record of what was stated to have occurred—he would rule the motion out of order. Councillor Jones: It appeared in the Bedingfield: Your rulings appear to me to be most extraordinary. Your Worship. We are discussing whether something has been onntted. Surely we are competent to decide the point. Councillor Hay contended that the easiest wav to overcome the difficulty, pro vided the majority of the council were of opinion that the point had bren raised would be to include a record of the fact n The°Mavor: I hope councillors realise what this will lead to. t he wrong things being included in the m Counffillar Brockelbank : The only thing to do if to amend the minute. T cannot =ee that you can do otherwise than accept mv mot iop. It i« the only thing to'do. I know that Councillor Jones has protested on several occasions. . Councillor Churchouse said that he had raised a point of order at a previous meeting, but the fact had not been re C Mayor eaid that in the absence of any evidence ho felt justified in not accepting the amendment. If any ?- vldt ” lce were submitted-for instance a 1 ress re-Xt-that would be sufficient ground to warrant the council’s taking some action Councillor Jones: It is the wish of the C °The Mayor: lam to say whether that is to be allowed. , , . .. Councillor Bedingfield: That is the whole point—whether the meeting is to be conducted according to the wishes of the council or according to your own. ' The Mayor again asked for the submission of evidence. “What other evidence could lie available?” inquired Councillor Councillor Anderson interposed that the business of the meeting could not be proC< T' l h" l Mayor: I’ll proceed to take the coed until the minutes have been conMayor: This has happened before. Councillor Anderson: Has it? The Mayor moved that the outward correspondence bf taken. Councillor Churchouse seconded the motion, which was carried. At the close of the business, Councillor R. H. Jones rose, and, addressin., the Mayor,- asked on whoso authority tho Grand Theatre was let on Sundav afternoon for a political meeting and whether this was in accord with tno policy of tho council. Tim Mayor said he considered y within his rights between council meetCook said he understood the hall was let for the purpose of a ecbire The Mayor: Councillor Cook will sit down, please. You will probably find that it was not necessary for you to speak. .... i , i Councillor Cook: Bight-oh. Mr M'Ewan added that the council had no power to stop the meeting being held The Act only made provision toi entertainments and concerts. the conncil was only asked ns a Tiattvr o < *Aftcr'a great deal of further sion, Councillor Bedingfield moved that a letter be sent to Air. T. F. Martin, solicitor to the Municipal Association, informing him that the Mayors ’’U.ings on various matters moved by councillors were such that they felt that they wore not in a position to discuss treely the affairs of the borough, and that consequently they could not accept responsibility if such affairs were naiadministered. Further, that they desired his advice as to what stope, if any. they coukl take to put them in a position io exercise fully the powers conferred on them bv the M'tinic.ipal Corporations Act; also whether the Mayor could refuse to put the following motion:- “That this council disagrees with the Mayor s rilling concerning a motion moved by Councillor Brockelbank, viz., ‘That tho town clerk record in tho minutes a point of order raised by Councillor Jones in connection with a motion moved by the Moyor at the council meeting held o’wJunc 29.’ ” The Mayor: In regard to points or order, the Mayor’s ruling must he accepted by the council. Finally, the Mayor ruled the motion out of order on the ground that it required notice. Councillor Bedingfield then gave notice to move the motion at tno next meeting of the council.