STRONG FEELING

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1927, Page 4

STRONG FEELING

MUNICIPAL MATTERS IN WANGANUI.

WANGANUI, July 27. Matters municipally in Wanganui are now running at fever heat. Knowing as the result of an indignation meeting on Monday evening that a deputation would wait on the council and that Councillor Hirsley had decided to again move his notice ol motion to dismiss the engineer, there was one of the /biggest rushes last evening for early door seats that has ever been seen iit the Council Chamber at Wanganui.

The available sitting and standing room was soon occupied and ratepayers and others jostled each other in the main passage and in an adjoining roam, from whence the door opens direct to the- Council Chamber. Extra sealing accommodation was provided by the office staff but still accommodation was inadequate and many were -hut out.

On entering the. chamber the Mayor (Mr Rogers) was vigorously applauded. When a deputation headed by Mr I. K. Turnbull waited on the meeting, and conveyed a resolution from the indignation meeting, the remarks of the speakers were punctuated by applause from the audience. Mr W. Brown, ox-chairman ol the ('hamlber of Commerce, referred to the ruthless methods adopted by certain sections of the council. 11*' maintained that the council had no mandate from the people to act in that manner. Later in the. evening, Councillor Horsley moved his notice ot motion, which was ruled out ot order at the previous meeting, "That the services i;l‘ the engineer. Mr Slaveley, should ho dispensed with."

Tim leader of the City Progressive Parly (Councillor Siddell.s) intimated filiat, in view of the resolution from tin' indignation meeting, he was placed in a very awkward position, and had not made up his mind whether ho would resign or not. I hei'cfore. ho was going to support an amendment by Councillor Falciner that the matter of the engineer be deferred and reviewed at the end of the financial year.

After considerable discussion, m which the Mayor (Mr Rogers) made an eloquent appeal for British justice. Councillor Hirsley’s motion to dismiss the engineer was lost, and Coimcilloi Falconer’s amendment was carried. r |’he Mayor then appealed to councillors to work more harmoniously m future, now that the municipal atmosphere had been cleared.