STORM OF PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1933, Page 6

STORM OF PROTEST

TAKAfeUNA COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR’S ACTION IS RESENTED

(Per Pre S s Association, Copyright)

AUCKLAND, December 20. • For. the second time in succession, a meeting of the Takapuna Borough Council was abruptly terminated last evening by the Mayor (Mr J. Guinaven), who declared it closed, and left the room.

Last night’s meeting was held to clear up business which was left undone at the previous meeting, but after one or-two items had been disposed of, the Mayor announced ..that, ps; this was a special meeting according to. the order paper, the,, general "business could not be dealt "with. He rang liis bell, closed tlie meeting, and left the- room. A storm of protest followed, as Councillors realised that no business could lie -done until the next meeting, late iii January.

The deputy-Mayor explained he had arranged for a temporary loan of £2OOO for the Council, until March, but the Council coud not now officially accept it.

Strong objection was voiced by one Councillor to tlie Mayor’s action in telephoning the borough solicitor, and obtaining advice that the. general business could not be dealt with: He declared the Mayor had done it so that lie could “trip the Council up.” Legal advice obtained by the Mayor was repeatedly used to the Council’s detriment.

At an informal meeting Councillors voted acceptance of the £2OOO loan, and after several of them had described the important nature of the business they had intended to bring up, they then dispersed. , ...