OUR COUNCIL AND THEIR METHODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3614, 23 December 1905, Page 2

OUR COUNCIL AND THEIR METHODS.

What threatened to be a heated combat at last night’s meeting turned out to be only a simmer in a teapot. The trouble all came about over the Council’s greed for gold, and we have to commend Cr Shadbolt’s action in the matter. At the last ordinary monthly meeting of the Council when they

had accepted a tender for the lease of section 44, Cr Shadbolt told the Council they had no right to do so, as the tender was informal. But Councillors thought different and passed their resolution. At last night’s meeting, when Council had come out of committee, a vote was taken on one of the tenders. After both the motion and amendment relating thereto had been put, one Councillor observed, “ Why, one man voted twice!” Now came Cr Shadbolt’s opportunity, who exclaimed, “That does not matter, you vote anyhow here!” This brought forth several queries from indignant Councillors, who wished to know what Cr Shadbolt meant ? When Cr Shadbolt referred to voting on the leasing of section 44 as his case in point, the Mayor thought it advisable to remind him that he was getting away from the subject. And so he was, but we rather think his remarks left their sting behind them, and especially when he further chartised council* lors with accepting another tender that evening which they had no right to do. Our Council conduct their business on lines which suit themselves, and if a shilling is to be gained, it would appear they intend to have it. We commend Cr Shadbolt for the stand he has taken in these matters, for we feel he is in the right.