A COUNCIL DISPUTE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2192, 16 May 1908, Page 1

A COUNCIL DISPUTE.

CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS AT LOGGERHEADS

The serenity of tho City Council’s deliberations was disturbed lor some moments at last evening’s ’ meeting (says tho'“Lyttelton Tinnv’ of Tuesday). In tho course of a speech, in which lie opposed a proposal made by the Mayor, Mr, C.. Allison, to submit to a poll the question of absorbing tho Drainage Board’s functions, Cr. J. Forrester said that he was surprised at the Mayor’s audacity in bringing forward such a motion, and ho hoped that lie would get such a knock that evening that lie'would never make ■another attempt in that direction. In the course of liis reply the Mayor, said that Cr. Forrester professed to bo astonished at his audacity. Cr. For-rester-had probably a greater interest in the Drainage Board than he had. He himself had no relations in tiie employ of the Drainage Board, and lie had never at any time held a position on a public body while any relation of his was employed oil such body. When his daughter became a pupil teacher at a certain. school he resigned his seat on the School Committee.

Cr. Forrester rose and said that his soil had only last month been appointed first engineer at the Drainage Board’s pumping station, over the heads or nineteen other applications, purely on his own merits. Cr. Forrester tpioted a full and complete list of his son’s qualification for the post. The Mayor,' lie concluded, was employed by the Sydenham Borough Council as polling clerk while lie was town clerk. n The Mayor said that Cr. Forrester’s remarks were quite uncalled for. Cr. Forrester (excitedly): You’re no genteman. The Mayor: I will ask Cr. Forrester to apologise. Cr. Forrester: I will not.

The Mayor: I will leave it to the good sense of councillors if the expression is one which should be used ill this council.