Borough Reports.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 7, 9 January 1901, Page 2

Borough Reports.

LIVELY TIME IN THE COUNCIL.

INVITATIONS OUTSIDE. At the meeting of the Borough Counoil last night a letter was received from Mr Mestayor, Engineer to the proposed waterworks, asking that all reports and other information be forwarded to him. ■-

Cr Joyoe said they wanted an independent report from Mr Mestayer, and should give him available information, but not other engineer’s oonolusions.

The Mayor said they should give the Engineer all the information in the office; if they thought he would not exercise an independent judgment they should not have him. Cr Joyoe: I never said it would influence him.

The Mayor: You did. Cr Joyoe said ho made no implication that the Engineer would be partial, but ho did not think they should have him simply making reports on other reports. Cr Johnston proposed, and Cr Kennedy seconded, that the information asked for be supplied.

Cr Lewis said it would not be a legitimate report if the other reports were simply to be made use of.

The Mayor said that it was to save time the information was asked.

Cr Hepburn: Sond all the reports. Cr Jones said if it would hurry tho mattor he would say let the Enginoor have tho whole office, but it was not. fair, exoopt for that reason, to hand over, reports, Mr Boylan’s, for instanoe, to another Engineer. Mr Mestayer did not ask for that.

Or Hepburn: They got paid for them, and have nothing more to do with them.

Cr Kennedy said that if there was tendering for the Engineership it would not be fair, but as it was it was quite different. They had selected one of the most eminent Engineers in the oolony, and should gWe him all information in the shortest time. Cr Joyce: If he is the most eminent man in the oolony he wants no assistance. Cr Lewis said they should give all information, but not other Engineers' reports. The Mayor said if they oould not trust Mr Mestayer to come and roport independently they should not have him at all. They should send him all reports and any other information.

Cr Joyce: You aro misconstruing my remarks.

The Mayor: lam not misconstruing anything. Cr Joyce: It is not right. The Mayor: I did not interrupt you. I can see nothing to gain by keeping baok information.

Cr Harding said ho was much surprised at tne stand some councillors had taken—when he wanted Mr Mestayer to come straight away those councillors objeoted to the expense ; now that he was asking for information, they offered opposition to its being given.

Cr Joyoe : Who are they ? Cr Harding: You for one. Cr Joyoe : That is false. Cr Harding: You can tell me that outside. Cr Joyce : Yes, and I tell you inside, too. Cr Harding: I have got the floor now. You will have to keep quiet, and lam just the person to keep you in your place. Cr Joyce : How dare you ! Cr Harding: I say that The Mayor: You mußt address yourself to the chair.

Cr Harding: I apologise if I have said anything disrespectful to the chair. When this thing was mooted expense was the great objection raised. Mr Mestayer now asks for a oertain amount of information, whioh ha must have when he comes here.

Cr Joyce: Question 1 Question! The Mayor: Order ! Order 1 Cr Harding said that with all duo deferonoo to Cr Joyce, Mr Mestayer was ontitled to all the information obtainable. If they were consulting a dootor or other professional man they would give all information, and so they should in this oase.

Cr Lewis rose to speak. The Mayor: There is no amendment—it is a negative. Cr Joyce: There can be several. The Mayor: I rule there is not.

Cr Lewis moved that Mr Mestayor be supplied with information as to the sources suggested, but that the reports be not sent. The Mayor; What on earth would be tha good of that to him? Will anyone seoond it?

Cr Joyoe: I will second it. The Mayor: That the names of the places be sent 1

Cr Lewis said he wished, to have Mr Moatayer’s report on those sites, and not a report on other engineer’s reports. Cr Hepburn said that the names would not be of much use to Mr Mestayer. Cr Johnston said that his proposition was that they give Mr Mestayer information, and this was a direot negative. He was astonishod at the attitude taken up by some of tha councillors—it was not discussable. The Mayor: Order. Cr Johnston : I am disgusted to hear Boma councillors talk.

Or Lewis: Everybody is not quite as wise as Or Johnston, perhaps. Cr Johnston; The attitude is not disoussable. . , .

Cr Lewis: I rise to a point of order. lam sincere in what I am doing. If councillors all came here of ono mind there would not be much progress made.

The Mayor: The discussion is now closed. The amendment was then put and lost, Or* iewis and Joyce supporting it. The motion was carried.

At a late stage further reference was mada to the passage between Ors Joyce and Harding.'

Cr Joyoa said that Cr Harding had twitted him with being against the water supply. Cr Harding said he had not made any such statement.

Explanations ensued, and it was agreed ta leave the matter to tha Times reporter to decide, but it was then found that the reporter had been relieved by a confrere, and had taken his notes away with him, Cr Joyce again referred to the remark bj Cr Harding about being willing to meet him outside. Ho said he was prepared to meet Cr Harding there.

Other councillors took the affair in g, jooular way, and—the storm blew over l