BREEZE IN COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4330, 14 October 1921, Page 2

BREEZE IN COUNCIL.

THE REFINERY BUILDING.

MAYORAL NEGOTIATIONS.

Ihe prosaic placidity pf the Paeroa Borough Council meeting was disturbed last n.ght by a brisk breeze in reference to the tentative Mayoral negotiations in regard to the old Refinery building. The May-P*., at the time the Refinery .was advertised for sale, sent an official letter to the owners, asking what was the lowest price they would take for it. The idea was that if the building could be got cheaply it would serve for council chambers, fire-brigade quarters, library, and other municipal purposes until such time as it was practicable to erect new buildings. The owners replied, that the building bad already been sold to Mr W, M. Cullen. The letter,s came up at a subsequent committee' meeting of the Council, and the Mayor’s action and the correspondence was approved. But apparently the matter did not end there. It appears that there has been a good deal of outside talk on the subject.

Cr. F. E. Flatt said there was a rumour that the Council Was trying to interfere with the negotiations in regard to the sale of the refinery. It seemed to him that some councillors knew more about the matter than others did. If there was anything that was not open and above board, he was not going to stand for it, and if there were any invidipus suggestions going around, the council room was the place to “have the matter out.’’ Or. T. P/Vugliar said he was sorry that someone had made the bullets for Cr. Flatt, to fire them. His Worship had not told him about the Council putting in a tender . He heard about the matter from outsiders, and looked a fool. He had a right to know just as much, and no more nor less, than any other councillor. His Worship: When did you interview me about the matter ? Ci*. Vuglar : Tn your office. The letter regarding the matter was dated July 12, and it was five weeks before I heard of it.

Cr. Marshall said Cr. Vuglar had given him the warmest quarter of an hour he had ever had over the matter. Cr. Vuglar had insinuated that the .Mayor and he, in collusion, had put in a tender, in the name of the Council, for the purpose of making another citizen pay a higher price. Cr. Vuglar had known pf the matter at a committee meeting.

Cr. Vuglar explained that he was absent, owing to illness, and did not see the letter referring to the matter in the first place. Cr. Flatt said he was not going to have anyone saying tht he or any other councillor was trying to do anything in the name of the council from which they would make' money. Cr. Vuglar said all he complained about was that he was not informed at the time.

The Mayor: Who should make Councillor Vuglar conversant with the business of the Council ?

Cr, Vuglar : The Mayor should.

His Worship said it was difficult to reply, as it could not be said that Cr. Vuglar took an intelligent interest in the affairs pf the council.

Cr. Vuglar : That is only your opinion ; it is not the opinion, of the ratepayers. Tlfle Mayor, proceeding, said Cr. Vuglar actually seconded the motion approving of the correspondence on the refinery question, and yet Cr. Vuglar now turned round and said he had no knowledge of correspondence that was read in his presence at the meeting, and about which he seconded a motion. Any councillor had access to any and all documents, but if a 'councillor expected, him to run round and personally acquaint him with all these things he was making a great mistake. The speaker merely wrote a letter as a feeier on behalf of the borough, and that was all there was to it. Any invidious suggestions that might be made regarding the matter were beneath cortompt, and he certainly was not going' to bother his head, about them.