BATTLE OF THE SITES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 507, 21 August 1902, Page 4

BATTLE OF THE SITES.

PROTEST BY COUNCILLOR WHINRAY. At the Borough Council meeting a votin'* paper in regard to tho Band Rotunda Site was placed on tho table, tho Mayor stating that, subject to any alterations made, that was how the question would bo submitted.

Councillor Whinray colled attention to tho fact that the Waikanatnvas mentioned. They had no sito there. Cr Konnody : How can wo amend it here '!

Or Whinray : You do not want to send out a false voting paper ? Cr Kennedy : This is not tho place to bring the matter up. Cr Whinray said that the Council wore the executors in tho matter, and they were going to ask people to vote on a site that did not exist. Why should they attempt to hood wink people in that way ? That voting paper was a falsity, and it was the duty of tho Council, as managers, to have the paper sent forth in a proper and intelligible form. Cr Harding: Should it not have been amended at the time ? The Mayor : You wero all there when this was carried. I particularly asked ; what sito havo wo on the beach ? Mr Mutthewson said, I think a site could be got. Cr Kennedy : Tho Harbor Board havo some land there. (Laughter.) The Mayor : You could put it on the groin. (Laughter.) Cr Whinray said there was plenty of time to [alter tho paper, it had not gone forth yet. Tho Mayor said that instructions had been given. Cr Whinray said that it was left to that Council as the executive body, and the matter had boon put into tho hands of tho Town Clerk. Tho Waikanae site which did not exist should be eliminated from tho paper. Cr Bright asked if the discussion was in order.

Tho Mayor ruled that tho decision of tho joint committecc ould only bo altered at another meeting of tho committee. Cr Lysnar said that Cr Whinray should have raised the objection at the time. Cr Whinray : I knew it would be useless.

The Mayor : It was not useless. Cr Whinray : Then it is not useless now.

The Mayor said it was useless at that meeting. Cr Whinray : I say it was left to the Town Clerk. Cr Bright : Cr Whinray is out of order. Cr Whinray : I am rising to a point of explanation. It was left to the Town Clerk, who is our servant as representing the public, and yet we are to ask the public to vote on what does not exist. Cr Lysnar : We cannot control the Town Clerk in this matter. He has instructions from the Committee. Cr Whinray : What nonsense. 1 I say we can. Cr Lysnar : Why did you not raise the objection before the time had gone by ? Cr Whinray : The time has not gone by. Cr Lysnar : Why did you not back me up when I objected ? Cr Whinray : 1 did not hear you. Cr Jones : We all objected, but had no show. This discussion having taken place will be effective in showing the public that no such site exists.

Cr Whinray said that it would be a remission of duty on the part of the Council not to put the matter right. The Mayor : It was left to the Town Clerk independent of the Council altogether. Cr Kennedy said that they should have had this opposition before the instructions had been given. The Town Clerk had also been authorised to fix the date. The paper was simply submitted to them in a complimentary way. Cr Miller said that it would be quite competent for Cr Whinray to ask to have placed on record that there was no site on the beach.

Cr Lysnar said that they did not know that. Captain Tucker might give them one. Cr Whinray: We will be neglecting our duty if we allow that to go forth. Cr Lysnar : Then why did you neglect your duty at the meetiDg of the joint committee ? Cr Whinray : I say that we are absolutely responsible for that paper. Cr Mason : What is before us ? Cr Kennedy: .Nothing. Cr Whinray : The legality of that paper asking people to vote on what does not exist. Cr Harding : What is there to prevent it being put on the beach ? Cr Hepburn : You might say, “On the Borough properties.” —(Laughter.) Cr Lysnar : Yes ; we have a borough reserve in a line with the (Recreation ground.—(Laughter.) Cr Jones : Ido not think Cr Lysnar can be in earnest in suggesting that. Cr Lysnar : The people on the beach might suggest it.—(Laugher.) Certainly it would be nearer town than the Recreation ground. We are not justified in assuming that we are not going to take the site we have got already. Cr Hepburn : Supposing it is carried to have the rotunda on the Waikauae, where are we going to put it'? Cr Kennedy said that would have to be decided. Cr Whinray : I say that if it is put on the voting-paper in that form, the Council will bo burking the responsibility and shirking their duty. I ask that my protest be recorded in the minutes. Cr Harding : Ido not know why this matter should come before the Council. Cr Bright: His Worship ruled it out of order, but members are not taking much notice. The Mayor: Next business, please.