MAYOR AND FIRE BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2639, 29 September 1923, Page 2

MAYOR AND FIRE BOARD.

At Thursday’s meeting of the Fire Board, when the Afayor (Air John Chrystall’s) resignation was formally before the Board, the Chairman (Mr Hornblow) said he had instructed the secretary to it. vite Mr Chrvstall to he present in order that his public statements and conduct ns a Board member could he dealt with in his presence. He regretted that he was not present. The Chairman took exception to the Mayor’s action in obtaining from the Board secretary without authority, a copy of the estimates be-for-they had been submitted to the Alinister on the plea that- they were required by the Town Clerk. The secretary had been remiss in. allowing him to have the copy and an enquiry from the Town Clerk had brought forth a denial that'lie (the Town Clerk) had asked for the estimates and further that he had informed the chairman that he knew nothing about the estimates until the Mayor had brought them to the office. The Alayor had convened a special meeting of the Council to discuss the estimates which was highly improper and had at that, meeting made a personal attack upon the chairman behind that gentleman’s hack. He was pleased to know tlfat the Councillors did not endorse the Mayor’s childish conduct. The chairman said he took exception to the Mayor’s remark that he could not sit under a chairman for whom he had no respect, as this was not only a personal affront, but a reflection on the whole Board. “If,”- said the Chairman, "I have not Ihe respect and confidence of this Board, I am prepared to tender mv resignation immediately.” He -aid he had had to consistently oppose the parsimonious and cheeseparing policy of the Mayor in connection with Fire Board matters — hence that . gentleman’s attitude, which was unbecoming in a man holding the position of Afayor. AW F. C. Cray said he regretted and at the same time took strong exception to the Mayor’s actions and personal affronts. Personally he had had to oppose the Afayor on the Board and this had aroused the Mayor’s opposition. He had nothing to quarrel with the Afayor about but he resented the Afayor’s “stalls in the hack.” He could.assure the Board that the Afayor’s assaults had not been successful as he took no notice of such conduct. He was truly sorry for such a man. He -aid he was quite sure that, the Chairman had the full confidence and respect of his colleagues and he with the other members, would do his best in supporting the chairman in carry ing out the work of the Board during the year. lie could not understand the late chairman’s attitude in attacking his late fellowmembers and in running away from j (lie meeting and cancelling his position in that manner. He hoped that the passing- of years would give him more forehearanfie and ehris- ■ tinn charity (hear, hear). Continuing, Afr Cray said that he wished to say more but refrained from doing so as the. Mayor was not present. The Chairman said now that the matter had been publicly ventilated he would ask that the subject he dropped.