A Storm in the Horowhenua Council.

Manawatu Herald, 25 April 1903, Page 2

A Storm in the Horowhenua Council.

Last Saturday afternoon Mr G. Potts waited on the Council for the purpose of seeking an explanation to the statements which bad been made regarding a plan or sketch of the , embankment and drain on the pro*"

party of Mr S. M. Baker, at Koputaroa, which, bo said, Or Davies and the Inspector bad stated had been drawn and signed by him (Mr Potts). He wished to see the document, - which, he said, bad been hawked about for weeks previous to the County election, and which was a dirty piece of work, perpetrated to damage him in the eyes of the electors. Ha could not express the contempt he felt at such conduct bn the park e! one of the Councillors. The sketch in question was ascertained to he in the Inspector’s pos- ' session, at his home. Or Wilson asked what right the Inspector had to retain possession of a document belonging to the Coun- ■ oil. ■■ - - * • The Inspector stated that the sketch was handed to him to make a copy from by Or Davies, who, at the time, was chairman df the Council. The question of Baker’s drain was being discussed, when the piece of paper .con taining a sketch of the proposed work was found among the papers, and was regarded by the Council as a solution of the difficulty. The Chairman had handed it to him and requested him to make a plan from it, which ha had done. He had not regarded the sketch as of any special value until he noticed the signature, "G. Potts." He-then put it carefully away, and had kept it ever since. The Inspector then left to bring sketch. The sketch having been produced, Mr Potts examined it and angrily . declared it to be a forgery. It was not his work; it had been dona for a purpose by Gr Davies and bis parasites. Or Davies had stated thpt it was signed “ Qeoffry Potts.’’ Cr Davies : “ I never said anything of the kind." Mr Potts (angrily): “ Yon did." Of Davies: “ You’re a liar.” Mr Potts: "So are you.” Several Cra now joined in—some in condemnation, others in an attempt to quell the disturbance, during Which one could hear such remarks as "Scandalous!’’ "Just like him,” "Never saw it before,” " Most disgraceful thing I ever heard of 1” ' " Listen;to we," “ Makes me feel so angry.” Finally Mr Potts withdrew, and as the temperature of the Council chamber began to cool, one Cr suggested that the precious .document should be photographed, while another said it should be framed and hung-on the wall of the Council chamber, —Manawatu Parmer.