THE BROKEN TRYST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 37

THE BROKEN TRYST.

SQUALL AT NORTH-EAST VALLEY.

The Mayor of North-East Valley emptief the vials of his wrath over certain of his councillors on the 24-th. A committee consisting of his Woiship, Crs Campbell, Mowat, and Botting had appointed a time to visit Robinson street and to interview a certain Mr Winks. The three councillors went on Wednesday evening, and having waited an hour for the Mayor carried out the inspection. His Worship went there on Saturday afternoon, and having waited two hours for his councillors went home in disgust. The councillors presented their report at the meeting on Jie 24th, when the troub 7 e took place.

The Mayor refused to sign the report. Was this, he asked, the way a Mayor was to be treated? It was a gross insult. Cr Alowat reminded his Worship that ha had fixed the inspection for Wednesday evening. The Mayor: I deny it most emphatically. I can solemnly declare that I said no such thing. It's scandalous to mako such outrageous statements. • Cr Campbell added fuel to the flame by also rising to explain, and when interruptedby the Mayor said : "Am I 6pcaking, or your Worship?" The alayor, amid general uproar, said: "Resume your seat, sir." Some Councillors: I think we had better retire. The Mayor : I think you had. lam tired of being branded as a liar. Cr Evans then arose. The Mayor : Resume your seat this instant, sir. Cr Mowat : What object would we have s in carrying, out our inspection without your Worship — what, reason? Hie Worship : Because you don't like my company. Cr Mowat (apparently stung to the ouick) : Why do you deny your own resolutions, then ? The Mayor : Resume your seat, sir. Cr Mowat: We'd treat you as a gentleman if you treat us the same. Cr Campbell said he had distinctly heard the Mayor arrange for Wednesday evening. * The Mayor: It's a diabolical falsehood, sir. I am treated with disrespect and am placed lower than the cadet in the office. Even on the occasion of the Harbour Board election he Cr Evans said he was not going to sib there and listen to electioneering. Some Councillors said the Mayor had their sympathy. He had been systematically slighted. Others attacked him vehemently, while his Worship shouted: "Resume your scat." Suddenly someone discovered they were all out of "* order, as nothing was before the meeting, and calm was restored.