MUNICIPAL AMENITIES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1913, Page 2

MUNICIPAL AMENITIES

COUNCILLOR BALL'S ALLEGATIONS. VOTE OF CENSURE PASSED. Main interest at la&t night's meeting of tho Hutt Borough Council centred in the fact that Councillor Ball was to be called \ipon to furnish a full explanation of his remarks made at a recent meeting of Alicetown ratepayers, -when an unspecified person (or persons) was accused of " wire pulling and attempts at bribery," etc. A letter was handed in by Councillor Ball just before 'the council meeting, stating that circumstances over which he had no control prevented him from making any statement^at the present juncture. When the time was opportune he would have no hesitation, tho letter concluded, in substantiating what he had said. The Mayor : I regret very much that Councillor Ball has not adopted one of the two courses left open to him, either to substantiate his charges or ' withdraw them. There is only one thing I can do, and that with very great regret, and that is to move— " That Councillor Ball, in making charges of wire pulling and .attempts at bribery on the part of some person or persons, whom he refuses to disclose and in declining to substantiate, explain, or withdraw such charges, merits and receives the censure of this council." Councillor Kempthorne seconded the motion. Councillor Ball : Before you put th& motion, what authority have you got for moving this vote of censure? The Mayor: It is a part of the jurisdiction of the council. Councillor Ball: You are getting away from it altogether. You cannot make rules of your own. Ido not wish to rob ( your worship of the pleasure of passing this motion. Tho Mayor : I assure you it is no pleasure,' Councillor Ball. Councillor Ball then declared it wasn't fair. The council could not make rules of its own. _He stated that the standing orders did not mention any time in which the report was to bo given. He continued that it was no fu.ult of liis that the allegations could not be substantiated at present. The Mayor : I cannot allow the matter to be hung up indefinitely. You have been given over a fortnight already. Councillor Ball then moved that the matter be ' feferred to the municipal solicitor for his opinion. He was told, however, that as ho was an. interested party he could not move this motion. He thereupon asked some other councillor to move it. Asked by Councillor Dawson how much time he wanted in which to make his explanation. Councillor Ball said, " A few weeks." The Mayor: We have shown you far too much latitude already. Councillor Ball > again protested that he was not getting fair play, and as he continued interrupting he was asked to resume his seat. > Councillor Hodgins suggested that Councillor Ball should submit the matter to the Mayor in a confidential report. Councillor Ball, however* declined to do this, and declared, " If you put this 1 motion you do it illegally." The motion Was then put, to the meeting, and carried.. Councillor* Dawson then asked Councillor Ball if his statement would be, supplied to the present council while in office. Cooncillor- Ball : After the- vote of censure, emphatically ' no ; > but I will put the case before the public at the elections. The Mayor : Let. us proceed ,with the evening's business. .-v;^*m; ( ri