PROPOSED SECESSION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4601, 14 September 1923, Page 2

PROPOSED SECESSION.

ACTION OF RATEPAYERS. DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the Borough Council meeting last night Cr. Brenan said that he had noticed in the “Gazette” that a certain section of ratepayers had sent a petition to Wellington asking to have their land withdrawn from the borough and placed under the control of the county council. He would like to know whether the Mayor had been officially informed of this, and whether a certain councillor had said anything on the matter. The Mayor said that he had not been officially informed of the matter. The member for lhe district had mentioned it, and had expressed surprise that the Mayor did not know anything about it. In regard to the fact that, a certain councillor’s name had appeared on the petition, he was glad to say that this man had reconsidered his decision and had had his name removed. Cr. Edwards said that the Council should pass a resolution strongly opposing the setting up of a commissioi as asked. The land had been given as security for money raised, and it was not, right that the area should be reduced. Cr. Flatt concurred. The Mayor said that the Council should not be alarmed about the security for loans. The Act said that no action of this kind could alter the rating area. He suggested that the Minister of Internal Affairs be .asked for a copy of the petition. Cr. Edwards moved in that direction. protesting emphatically against the setting up of the commission; also, that a special meeting be held when the information was received. Cr. Vuglar said that he was the certain councillor referred to. He had been asked to sign the petition, and he had such faith in the person asking that he had signed without reading the document or examining the plan. He was thinking of the amount of rates, and was of the opinion that anyone who stayed in the bo r ough area when he could get out was a madman. Since the Mayor had explained to him that it was not a right and proper thing for a representative of the people on the Council to do he had reconsidered his decision and had wired to have his name deleted from the petition. Continuing, Cr. Vuglar said that Mr Buchanan had told him that the proposal was to cut out part of his (Mr Buchanan) farm, Barrett’s farm, part of Mrs Nicholls’, and part of his own and— At this stage Cr. Flatt suggested that perhaps C.r. Vuglar was committing a breach of confidence. It was suggested that Cr. Vuglar should ,supply the Council with all the information availaole in writing, and this was agreed to. On the motion seeking information and protesting against the action being put to the meeting it. was carried unanimously.