SCENE AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1637, 20 May 1879, Page 3

SCENE AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

At the close of the ordinary business of the City Council last evening, Or. Cass rose and said—Before the meeting separates I wish to protest against the action of his Worship the Mayor in keeping what he calls his “ time sheet.” I consider that it is nothing more nor less than an insult to every member of this Council. The jotting down of the number of times that a Councillor speaks, and the time he occupies is the veriest of child’s play, and to get a little beggarly eclat in the newspapers is a most miserable proceeding, and 1 speak now that the practice may bo put a stop to once and for all. The Mayor—Nothing that Or. Cass may say will alter my course of action. Cr. Cass—l don’t think your Worship will do it after to-night. I am astonished that you do it, and that the Council should for one moment suffer it, and I feel convinced that if such a course is persisted in it will make yourself and the Council a laughing stock not only of Christchurch, bnt over the whole of Now Zealand. If anything could show the Mayor’s utter incapacity to rule over this Council, it is this way of conducting business. I say it is a most contemptible practice, and I trust the Council will take such steps as will prevent its being continued in the future.

Tho Mayor—lf I had wanted anything to show me what the true character of Cr. Cass was, and I had any doubt of it, I should have been convinced to-niglit. There is nothing so humiliating in my mind, as having to sit at this table with Or. Cass, It is most humiliat-

it g, iird a thing which I did not expect when I tv en ne a member of this Council. It is •aid t! a' adversity brings us in contact with b range bed fellows, and I may say that public business brings us into contact with remarkable men. Cr. Cass thought fit to make use of language such as lias never before been heard at this table. It is fortunate for me that nothing which ho can say is likely to make my character suffer, or is likely to do mo any injury u 3 ft public man. Councillor Cass can truly say that he has earned a reputation throughout Now Zealand, and I may aid that nature never intended him to have more than three letters to his name.

Cr. Cass - 1 rise to a point of order. I protest against such language. The Mayor—l rule you are out of order. If you do not sit down I shall move the adjournment of the Council, Cr. Cars —I rao7o that the sense of this Council bo taken on the question which I have brought before it. Cr. Binstead —I say if. is most objectionable. Cr. Cacs If I possessed no more knowledge - Til's Mayor—l decline to bandy words with Cr. Cass,

Cr. Gapes—l think when a ihorrher rises to a point of order it is the duty of the Council to see that it is decided.

The Mayor—l say lie is out of order. He has used most insolent language to me. The word “ contemptible ” is actionable. Cr. Cass —You called mo an ass, or said ray name should bo s(). The Mayor—l did nothing of the kind. Cr. Cuss —You inferred that, my name should have been Ass instead of CaAs,'

The Mayor—l did not say anything of the kind. Is there any more business P Cr. Cass —Yes. I have a motion before the meeting. The Mayor—There is no seconder for it. Cr. Cass —The motion is still before the meeting. The Mayor—This Council stands adjourned until

Cr. Cass—No, it does not. This is the way you shut up the business, and shut up our mouths.

Or. Gapes —I think before the Council adjourns it is only right that some expression of opinion should bo given with regard to the observations that have fallen. At the same time I don’t agree with the way this question has been brought forward, I certainly think it is rather objectionable that the Mayor should keep a time sheet of our speeches, and read it over at the close of every meeting. I think it may tend to cripple discussion in a very great measure. I agree that the Mayor has had reasons to try His level best to curtail the ridiculous discussions and remarks made round this table, but to persist with this time sheet is perhaps going too far.

Cr. Gass—Yes; and always carefully omitting his own name and the number of times ho speaks. Cr. Gapes—l am sorry to have to give my opinion, but hope the other Councillors will do the same. I agree that in the first instance the Mayor may have had good reasons for what ho did, and I also agree with Cr. Cass for bringing forward the question, and I think it will bo as well to discontinue the practice. Or, Binstead —I don’t think the Mayor should continue it. lam not astonished that Cr. Cass should take objection to it, but I am sorry he used the remarks he did. I think it equally objectionable that the Major should have said his name should have been spelt with three letters instead of four. So far as the time is concerned, I am not going to be debarred from speaking half an hour if necessary, notwithstanding the fact that the Mayor has a pen in his hand and is noting it down. I speak independently, and I vote independently. The Mayor —There is nothing before the Council. The Council stands adjourned. The Mayor then handed his “ time sheet” to the reporters. It showed that Cr, Wilson had spoken thirteen times, occupying thirtysix minutes; Cr, Binstead six times, occupying nine minutes; Or. Tremayne six times, occupying fifteen minutes ; Cr. Clifford four times, occupying five minutes; Cr. Lezard six times, occupying six minutes ; Or. Cass eight times, occupying nineteen minutes ; Cr, Ayers, nine times, occupying seventeen minutes ; and Cr. Gapes twenty-four times, occupying forty-four minutes.