PUBLIC APOLOGY DEMANDED.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 6 February 1920, Page 2

PUBLIC APOLOGY DEMANDED.

’ MR BYRON BROWN AND THE TOWN BOARD. At lust night's meeting of tin; Otnki Town Board, the follow!;:;, lot tor was road from Mr Byron Brown i lute chairmini of the Board) “When it was arranged that 1 should Be present -it the Board's February meeting. w o «ii< 1 not suit i«• lj>:i to rh;it the vacancy'caused l>v resignntion would be liilotl. I am now’ like (lie lift!) wheel in a coach, and joust beg commissioners to excuse my abseitce. J congratulate Otaki on Mr .1. I*. Brandon's eleetion, and feel sure lie will be a very able and worthy commissioner. 1 am informed that, at a public meeting held last week, it wits said from the chair that the commissioners were in the habit of “greasing tine another's palms.” The only meaning that can be taken out of rib- is that the commissioners appropriate the Board's funds and buy each other's silein-e by .-haring the plunder. There were, i am told, about fifty littoj,avers at tin- meeting, and from tin; fact the* no one made the slightest pretest it c: u only be assumed that the ~tatcmei '■ eva- believed. No ronttois-ioner can hold Ills seat and retain hi- honour until such a charge is amply and publicly refuted, and X would sugg-M thai the chairman of that meeting be risked to either prove his charges or make a tuli and complete apology by advertisement in tiie public nr-.vspapets. In conclusion I have to thank ihe cojnmissinners, one and all, tor the kind and generous support they have always -riven me to uphold the honour and dignity of the Ofaki Town Board. ” As tbs- chairman of the- public meeting had failed to send along lie- “ vote of censure.*' ii was decided to take no action til! -ame was received. f.omuii-sioners paid a high tribute to the excellent service.- rendered by the late chairman of the Board, and while regretting his resignation, wished him bon voyage, and expressed a hope that lie would, on his return, again take interest in local body matters. He was accorded a hearty vote of appreciation.