A BELATED EXPLANATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 933, 20 December 1910, Page 2

A BELATED EXPLANATION.

COUNCIL, AMENITIES

ARE THE STANDING ORDERS A DEAD TETTER ?

At last night’s Council meeting Cr Speirs referred to the report ot the previous Council meeting which appeared in the Manawatu Herald. The portion he referred to, he said, was a remark reported to have been made by Cr Robinson. He did not hear the remark as he was a little deaf in the right ear. It was in reply to a question by Cr Adams during the discussion on the municipal hall question, Cr Adams asked if he (Cr Speirs) supported the water and drainage proposals when they were previously before the ratepayers. He heard that question asked but considered it was such an improper remark for a person like Cr Adams to make that he did not take any notice of it. He considered it was an improper thing for any man to ask another how he voted on any matter. According to the newspaper report, immediately after Cr Adams’ question, Cr Robinson said that he (Cr Speirs) supported the water and drainage proposals at the Council table and then canvassed against them afterwards.' He now wished to give that statement an emphatic denial. He said that outside the Council Chamber he took no interest in the matter. He no doubt casually discussed the question with one or two of the Councillors and also mentioned the matter to a few ratepayers, who had come to him with circulars in reference to the proposal. These circulars, which alleged to show the difference in the rates to be paid if the proposal were carried and the rate? paid previously, were circulated by Cr Robinson, and he believed Cr Adams. He said he considered the statements contained in same were wrong and he told the ratepayers who had approached him his opinion on them. He considered then that tne circulars did not represent the true position and he was still of that opinion, and he had no doubt Cr Robinson would find that out if a water and drainage scheme was eventually carried. He did not known where Cr Robinson got his figures or where the calculations were made up. He again denied canvassing against the loan proposal. He was of opinion that the ratepayers were sufficiently intelligent to cast their votes without advice from him or any one else.

Cr Robinson said he made the remark relerred to at the previous meeting and he still said that Cr Speirs supported the proposal at the Council table and then canvassed against it afterwards, and he was prepared to bring the man that told him before the Council. That man had come to him immediately after Cr Speirs had canvassed him and told him what had taken place and be (Cr Robinson) would rather believe him than Cr Speirs. The Mayor : *' That is an improper remark.” Cr Robinson repeated that he preferred to believe his informant rather than believe Cr Speirs.

Cr Speirs said he wished it to be understood that he harboured no ill-feeling against Crs Adams or Robinson or Coley when he sometimes made fiery remarks. Cr Coley: “Oh, yes, always fetch me in. You know I always give you as good as you send, but leave me out of this,lot please.” Cr Speirs said he would withdraw the remark. Continuing, he said that what hurt him most was to know that in Foxton we had a newspaper that would publish a remark like the oue referred to without taking the trouble to find out whether it was true or not. He asked if it was right to take one man’s word in a question like the present oue.

Cr Robinson : “ That man, yes.”

Cr Adams said he was sorry to see Cr Speirs look upon the affair in the lignt he did. At the time the water and drainage proposals were before the ratepayers be was delighted to see Cr Speirs so enthusiastic over them. When he asked the question at the previous meeting he did not mean anything. Had Cr Ross stood up he might have asked him the same question. Apparently Cr Speirs seemed to think that he (Cr Adams) expected theanswer “no,” from him. Cr Ross thought it was a great pity that remarks of the nature referred to made at the Council table should be carried outside. He was of opinion that remarks of the kind referred to should be kept in the room and not be carried outside and thereby raise feeling between individual Councillors.

Cr Speirs said he admitted there was nothing in Cr Adams’ remark and he attached no Importance to it. He didn’t hear Cr Robinson’s remark. What annoyed him was to see a thing like that referred to appear in a newspaper.

Cr Robinson said it was to be hoped that if Cr Speirs met him in the street the following day he would speak to him. Whenever there was any little difference between himself and Cr Speirs at a Council meeting, Cr Speirs wouldn’t speak to him for a week. Cr Speirs replied that one day Cr Robinson had passed him very closely on his motor bike, and didn’t even look at him. When he did that Cr Speirs said he felt it.

Crs Robinson and Speirs con tinned at cross purposes across the table until the Mayor drew the former to order.

Cr Robinson : “ Well call him,” indicating Cr Speirs “to order too.”

The Mayor: “I draw you to order. That statement Isn’t right,” After the Mayor had twice repeated the above statement, order was restored and the Council proceeded with other business.