TUAKAU.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 620, 1 April 1921, Page 5

TUAKAU.

A meeting convened by Mr James Pirret for the purpose of placing his views on the hall site question before the ratepayers, was held in the Tuakau Hall on Tuesday, 22nd inst. Mr James Mungall was voted to the chair, and briefly outlined the course the debate should take. The handling of the large meeting fully justified his ‘ selection, for any attempt at avoiding his restrictions was promptly nipped in the bud. The first speaker was Mr T. K. Patterson, whose site was tunxed down by the Board after an option had been held over it for two months. Mr Patterson stated that he intended to argue tne moral aspect of the case, but almost immediately afterwards hinted that he could produce evidence which would show that he had a legal claim against the Town Board. He received a patient hearing, but quite failed to make any lasting impression.

Mr James Pirret gave his reasons for handing in his resignation, and his earnestness, and genial manner, while in a rather difficult position, gained for Frim the appreciation of even those who were bound to cast their votes against him on the following day. Mr Dynes Fulton, chairman of the Town Board, followed, and had no difficulty in disposing of the various points which had been put forward by the former speakers. From the outset he tackled the case in his usual plain, straight-forward manner, not only defending the honour of the Board, but thoroughly convinced the majority’ of those present that he was a strong man in a sound position. He disposed of questions with a dii’ectness and promptness which would have done honour to a Minister of the Crown.

Mr Taylor, in a brief, forcible speech, satisfied the ratepayers that he had no axe to grind, and clinched the matter with a straight out offer cf £2O, if the Board yvent no further in the matter, of purchasing the section offered by his wife.

Mr Patterson spoke briefly in reply, but quite failed to make up the leeway. The meeting, which was expected to be “lively,” ended almost amicably, with a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman.