“GAZETTE” REPORTS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4544, 26 March 1923, Page 2

“GAZETTE” REPORTS.

CORRECTNESS CHALLENGED. CHAIRMAN APOLOGISES. At the meeting of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association on Saturday, last the chairman, Mr Vowles, sai'l that there was a matter for the meeting to decided. A difference of opinion had arisen between himself and the *proprietor of the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” as to the correctness of a report of a recent meeting of the association at which Mr Leonard, of Auckland, had addressed the men of Netherton. As a result the “Gazette,” reporter had interviewed him, and it had been mutually agreed that the matter would be decided at the next Ratepayers’ Association meeting. ' Mr Vowles then read the “Gazette" report, and s.tated that a certain proposition was an amendment to a test motion and not, as it appeared, an amendment to a later motion. The reporter, on being granted permission to speak, stated his case, and on the question being put to the meeting it was unanimously decided that the “Gazette” report was a correct one. Mr Vowles then publicly apologised to the reporter. Mr J. Reid moved, and Mr H. Munro seconded, that the reporter of ths “Hauraki Plains Gazette” be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for attending meetings in Netherton and formalways giving a true report.—Carried unanimously. Mr R. H. Heappey also spoke to the motion, and said that it would not do to publish all that was said at a meeting, and that speakers would assist the reporter and expedite business by always addressing the chair. Mr S. J. Laughlin elaborated on the benefits of having a press reporter present at meetings, particularly when such clear and lucid reports as appear in the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” were given. Mr D. G. McMillan and others also spoke on the matter. It was pointed out that a reporter had a difficult joo to pick out facts that were worth reporting owing to the amount of irrelevant matter often introduced.