MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 28, 29 November 1878, Page 2

MANAWATU COUNTY COUNCIL.

Wednesday, November 27. j The Council mot punctually at noon. i Present — Messrs Thynne (Chair* man), Macarthur, Halcombo, Sanson, i Gowor, Loudon, Kockstrow, Kobbell, Linton, and Carr. The minutes of the last meeting were road and confirmed, MR LOUDON's CASE. The Chairman remarked that he had merely taken his seat according to the law, and was proceeding to request the council to elect their Chairman, when Mr Halcombe rose, and said — Sir, before we proceed to the business, I wish to call the attention of the council to a matter of grave importance, and one which affects the honor of the council, and I intend to ask the members to agree with mo in passing a resolutiou such as will express what I believe are the feeltngs of the members of the old council. The position I take is a painful one, but is forced upon me as the oldest resident, and the mem* ber of the council longest in the district. It may also come with better grace from mo, as when the matter was before us, 1 did my best to keep it quiet for our own credit as a public body. The action taken by one of the ladings in the County in sendiug a certain representative to this body, is an insult to the whole of us, and reflects great discredit on that liiding. I will cease to speak in enigmas. The resolution I have to propose is this : — ♦♦ That this coun« cil desires to place on record its opinion that the return of Mr Fran^ cis Loudon to a seat in the • Council after his self-imposed retirement during the last session in consequence of his haying falsified the records of the council, is as insult to the other members of the council, .and the Ridings they represont." * Sir, this is a strong measure, but no stronger than the circumstances justify. Wheu this affair occurred we all felt deeply pained at it, and, if possible, we would have passed it at the time sub silent io. But that was impossible. Councillor Loudon had made a charge against the Chairman and the clerk ; this charge he fortified and substantiated by falsifying a public document, the property of the council ; and though every advantage was given him to acknowledge his wrong, he deliberately persisted in his deception, and brazened it out for over a month, .in spite of incontrovertible proofs of his guilt. He challenged councillors by his action, and time after time, in his place in the council, be asserted in the most deliberate manner, that he had not altered that document. Sitting in his seat beside me, he daringly said, " if the council thinks me guilty of having falsified tha« document, I am not fit to sit here." At the time I fully concurred in that opinion, and adhere to it now. Mr Loudon may have altered his opinion of the gravity of the offence, but I have not, and it is an insult to the other councillors and myself, for him to be elected to a seat at the same table. I know public sympathy has been raised over this matter, and that Mr Loudon has been held up as one who was hardly treated ; but 1 refuse to admit this. On the contrary, all the councillors displayed extreme regret at being compelled to take the action rendered necessary, and the only pity is that Mr Loudon did not keep to the same opinion as when he left the council, and remain in his retirement. As he has not seen fit to do so, we are compelled in defence of the honor of the council, to sit in judgment upon him. The of-

fenco ho I'.is committed) if done under; di\\pv circumstances, would be forgery. • Having performed- tiio act,he repeated over and over again his i!inoc2iiue of j the f dsification, until he was most ( dourly found out, and proved gitiity. ' Tilth), and not till than, ho mad* a most, :i!>joot confession. I did not hoar that confession read, but have seen ic since?. The offence has not | beeu condoned by that donfcssldh It : UannOt be. The council cannot pass by a public offence of that character, j and the only graceful aot Mr Loudon j has performed throughout, was his retirement from the council. I also feel ray resolution reflec's upon the constituency which elected Mr Loudon in the face of this scandal. People outside may have been under the influence of election excitement, but the council is swayed by no such thing. In this matter, I am perfectly free from party motives, and I do it as a point of honor. Had it not been for my duty to my constituents, I would absolutely refuse to sit at the same | table as Mr Loudon. But if this had been done, I would have been compelled to sacrifice the interests of my constituents. I say, my impulse would be to refuse to sit with him, but my hands are tied, because my duty to my constituents demands that I should remain in my place. Put Ido absolutely refuse to endorse or second any motion Ml' Loudon may malce,and if the j other members take the same view, we j shall make his seat useless in this j council ; then we may hope the electors will return some one whose character is such that gentlemen can sit with him. That will be my course of i i action towards him. I would gladly ■ have passed this matter, for I have hitherto studiously refrained f»om taking part in the discussions upon it ; but to allow him to take a seat here ! unchallenged, would lead to the opin- j ion that we do not sufficiently value our position as members of this council. In moving this resolution, I have consulted no one, uor is any other person implicated in it. But I appeal j to the membeis to vindicate the honor j of the council, and to pass the resolu- j tion, that when we come here we may feel we meet as gentlemen and men of honor. I therefore ask the council to pass the following resolution : — " That this Council desires to place on record its opinion that the return of Mr Francis Loudon to a seat in the Council, after his self-imposed retirement during the last session, in consequence of his haviug falsified the records of the Counsll, is an insult to tho othar members of the Council and the Ridings they represent." Mr Macarthui seconded the motion. Mr Sanson — I wish to ask if we have power to consider this matter. No one regrets more deeply than myself, what has occurred, but 1 do not know what tho council can do to remedy it. We have really no power to sit in judgment. Mr Macarthur — I had no intention y of speaking, but as Mr Sanson questions 'mr right to consider the matter I will say a few words. We have power to pass the resolution, for we are within the bounds of the law. I agree with Mr Halcombe that the other councillors are insulted by Mr Loudon's return, and so aro the Ridings they represent, I endorse his remarks. It is thoroughly right for us to express our opinions on such matters. It is a painlul matter, no doubt, but we must remember Mr Loulon's charge was against a sal- ■ aried officer of the county. You, Mr Thynne, wore able to defend yourself. Tho Clerk was not. Mr Loudon when he was riding the high horse, had said if lie had altered the document, he was not fit to be a member ; .and he was right. His confession was no confession at all ; for it was not made until he was clean bowled out. In coming to this chamber I in no way surrender my right to express an opinion upon such matters, and I would express the same view as regards any body of electors who returned such a representative. Dr Eockstrow — I rise to speak on this matter, because my name has been mixed up with Mr Loudon's during the election. I deny in toto \ that the ratepayers intend any insult to the council by Mr Loudon's election. I never did and never will defend Air Loudon's action in this matter. At my public meeting I studiously avoided it. But I say the council is i to blamo in this matter, for the people of Foxton were kept in ignorance of why Mr Loudon had resigned. They never knew till the election why Mr Loudon resigned, and then many of them did not know hotv much of it was claptrap. Mr Macarthur — I rise to a point of order. It was fully published in tho paper during the election. Mr Thynne— Councillor Rockstrow \ knows it was well known. Dr Kockstrow — You must not forget yourself,and state such a falsehood. It was not known. Mr Thynne — Why, you proposed him ! Dr Bockstrow— As a member of the council, I knear about his action, but as an outsider, I did not. I proposed Mr Loud«n for the council, and would do so again, if he came forward. Mr Macarthur — As a " fit and proper petson ?" Dr Eockstrow — Yes, until it was publicly known what he had done. This matter should have been put in the hands of a higher Court. Mr Loudon knows my opinion about it. No higher Court has considered it, and the ratepayers have given their verdict, sending Mr London here.

This council lias no right to consider! the matter. It should hai'ebcen sent! to :i higher Court. ! Mr Miicarthiu — The Council has! passed its judgment tipdn Ml' London, \ by afuiming tins coi fectnesg of the minutes lie h:td questioned. That was quitf! strong (M.ougli Afr Govvcr — -There is no doubt a Vurv gnlVe o&Mitfo was dduunitted by I Mi' London, but as the matter Was \ thoroughly ventilated amongst the I Foxton electors, and they have returned him, I do not see that we can !do anything. I must coincide with a great deal of what Mr Halcombe has said, but the matter has been taken out of our hands by the elector. As to publicity, it has been the talk of the whole district for weeks past. A kindly feeling towards Mr Loudon prevented our making it public, and as he repented a few hours after it was sheeted home to him, our charity kept it quiet ; but he has been put in by the electors with their eyes open, and we should leave in Mr Linton — I came here to busi* ness, and not to discuss things of this sort. Mr Loudon committed a grievous offence, and has suffered. But as he has been elected by the people, who knew of it, I think we should let the matter drop, and proceed to business. Mr Loudon— l thoroughly agree with all that has been said regarding the honor of the council, and that men of shady character should not be members of this council ; but before passing this resolution upon me I would ask the members to consider what was the extent of my offence ? T did not gaiu by it, and no one lost a penny by my doing what I did. It only reflected upon the Clerk. I may tell you that upon reflection, I j intended to confess what I had done | hastily and foolishly, but when Mr Thynne looked at me, and put on that smile of his, I turned obstinate, and dared it out. But my conscience troubled me, and j I oould not rest until I had ma e my confession, which Mr Thynno said at the time was perfectly satisfactory. If I any one here can say he lias done no wrong, j let him cast the first stone nt me. I hold j thiit my action hurt no one bnl the Chairman and the Clerk. I have told the electors all about the offence. I have not kept one whit from them. If I had found they did not want me to stand, I would havo refrained from doing so ; but scores and scoros asked me to come forward, and I have been returned. I had my own interests to protect, and the interests of che town ; what I did, was done hastily and foolishly, and if the Council aro not satisfied with me, the electors are. Mr Thynne — What Mr London has B»id comes in very bad taste from him. He has never put the matter fairly before the people. Ho put it most unfairly, lie tried to lay the blamo on my shoulders, and I had in self-defence to j»et a letter from Mr Macarthur, stating that he, Mr Loudon, had ample opportunity to acknowledge his jrror. He carried the election with a succession of contortions of truth. Mr Halcombe (in reply) — What Mr Loudon has said, convinces mo more than ever that we ought to pass this resolution. After deliberately falsifying a public document, after repoating time after time he had not done so, aud brazening it out for a whole mouth, during which his conscience (if lie had any) had ample time to work, he wns compelled to retire from the Council. Yet he now seems disposed to treat the matter lightly. Sir, there is one littlo word I hardly daro to use, but my lips ref uso to keep it iu — I meaa t'.ie word lie; — I saj, that having committed the offence he did, he told a deliberate, wilful lie to shield himself, and he repealed this over and over again, during a whole month, with tho I most unblushing effrontery. Ho now comes j forward and says, " Oh, it i< nothing !" I Nothing, indeed ! Sir, had Mr Loudon, by that act, Ruined only one penny, or had any one else lost one penny, it would havo been forgery, and he would iiavo been amenable to the criminal law- But because no one lost a penny, he fcays, "It is nothing." Sir, is it nothing that there should be loss of j reputation for correctness, loss of good i name, loss of the good opinion of the Couu- i cil ? ThoHo things were lost by tho Clerk and you, Sir, if Mr Loudon had been correct. A-e theso things nothing ? Yet though he knew he held in his hand a falsified document, ho strove for a month, with lie upon Ho to back up his statements, simply because ho had mado a foolish assertion, and was ashamed to acknowledge his ! mistake. Neither the people who have j elected him, nor Mr Loudon himself, can know tho feelings which should influouce gentlemen in public affairs. During the j election, I could have written down, and stated my views of Mr Loudon's action, but I rofrained from doing 33, as I felt convinced j Foxtou could not return him in view of his j past action. Mr London asks if wo have ! done no wrong ? I h(i.vo and wo all have at ! titnos in our pa»t lire* but never Such an ' offence as that to wliicli he eUiul* confessed. If I had done so, I would retire altogether from public life, and screen myself in my retirement Furl her, Mh Loudon has said only the Clork was affected. But ho tried to ontangle me too. Sitting by my side, he pointed to nn alteration I had made on the sami piece of paper, and said " You remember tuafc !" And seeing my own writing I was almost betrayed into assenting. HaJ my mouiory fjilod me then, I should have become ■partiapi enminis with him. I say thut for a man to act in that manner, to brazen it out with unblushing effrontery and then to say "It is a littlo thing," and that "others do wrong," is shameful. Others do not do such things— falsify documents, toll lie upon lio to hide it, and then whqn the otTence is proved in the clearest manner, inakt an abject confession and coma back as if nothing had happened. Sir, after, Mr Loudou's remarks, 1 feel stronger than ever, and if wo wish to maintain our self-respect, if we wisli to preserve the honor of the ) council, of the other Hidings of the County, then we must pnss thU resolution. The Chairman — The resolution has bean m«ved and seconded— Hon. Mcmbora bf that opinion say "Aye !" '- Members — "Aye ! " The Chairman — Hon. members of a contrary opinion, say "No." \ There was no response whatever, and tho resolution was declared to be carrieel unaminouily. . • Tho Council then adjourned for dinner. > THE HEW CHAIBMAU. i Upon the Council resuming, { Mr Halcombo proposed that Mr Maoar* thur be elected Chairman. He pointed out

! that lie was known to bo an able, activo j ' ami enorgotio man. Jto hud been i'e- | turned by the largest number of votes', : polled flaring the election, and also by tho largest constituency. Thi* showed he was i appreciated by thos,o who knew him best. '•■ lie would fiyiitj not merely lor local interI e^ta, but for the general good. '1*1)0 9cat of County QoV-ji-nirteut being at Fox-ton Would entiil trouble upon him ( but he thought Mr j Macvirthui 1 would nrt mind that, lie accepted ifc that Foiiou \ronll remain the i County to-STHj aa it had a majority. It would therefore be ueeless to attempt to get it removed. Ho would say, however, that he iuteuded to try and get separation I whenever the opportunity presented itself. Their interests were not the same, and if ho thought differently he would not be worthy of his place. l Mr (iower asked what interests were di-« verso f I Mr llalcorrba replied separation and the j proposed railway lines were questions upon which there was a diversity of interest. Mr Gower said tho Chairman was also a member of the Harbor Board, and Mr Macarthur had been reported as having said | that they favored tho port of Wanganui, in preference to Manawalu. Unleis thin matter were settled, ho would oppose tho nomination . Mr Macarthur said he would do all in his power to promote tho interests of the Countv port. He would endeavor to make it equal, and evon better, than Wanganui. Mr Grower accepted Mr Macarthur's assurance. He had determined to propose another candidate, but would not Jo so now. To prevent separation, ho would agree to a Feilding Chairman, provided Foxton remained the County town. Mr Sanson expressed similar views. Cf Mr Thynne had been elected.he would have supported him as Chairman ; but as he was not there, he thought Mr Macarthur tlie most suitable for the office. He would like some assurani-.o as regards tho County to ft'ii. Mr llacarthur wished it to be understood that ho would endeavor to get the County town removed directly he saw the opportunity. At present the attempt would be futile Mr Linton had seconded Mr Macarthur because he considered him tho most suitablo man for tho office. Tho County town was a difficult matter, as all three townships claimed the honor. l)r Rockstrow charged Mr Gower with inconsistency, saying that gentleman had promised to support Mr Sanson, , Mr Sauson said he did not wi«h the position, as already a largo amount of his time was devoted to public matters. He understood * majority would vote for him, but he would retiro in favor of Mr Macarthur. He would continue to oppose aoparati m. Mr Loudon said ho had a written resolution regarding Mr Sanson' s nomination. Mr Gower had seconded this. He urged Mr SaiiMon's nomination. Mr Gower denied the chargo of inconsistency. Regarding Mr London's proposal, ho certainly had signed a resolution to second it, but after what had occurred in the moruinsr, he must withdraw from Mr Loudou's proposal. Mr Kebbell said he should vote for Mr Macarthur. . % There being no other candidate, Mr Macarthur was declared elected. Mr Thyune at onco vacated the chair,and said— Mr Macarthur, it gives me great pleasure to vacate this seat for you, and I shall be glad to give you any assistance in I ray power Mr Macarthur briefly returned thanks. j A large amount of correspondence was read.