Cook County Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 965, 30 July 1881, Page 2

Cook County Council.

Js. Special committee meetmg of tho whole Codncilwas held in the Chambers yesterday, at 2 o’clock, for the purpose of investigating the charges made by Mr A. Y. Roes, jn re the main road contract. ! i « •; > Present: Mr A. Graham (Chairman) Messrs McKay, Sunderland, Johnstcrij, Porter, and Scott. 1 The fimtirman saiuSf had been decided that, the- public should be excluded, The Council yv as in committee, and it was thought that the proceedings could be better gone on wjth than with the presence of the public. Mr lioss appeared, and said that in such case he would refuse to give eviMr Johnston said although lie did not want to exc’udo the public/ he felt strongly for the dignity of the Council, and should support the motion for the enquiry being instituted independently of Mr Ross. He had made grave charges, and should Substantiate i them or the reverse, quite outside the attendance of the public. Mr Scott supported this view. Mr Ross repeated that he objected to give evidence in a Star Chamber of the Council. He did not think it was right to'exclude the‘public?'

The Chairman; said it was not desirable to admit the public. "The Press reporters were present, and every publicity would be given to the proceedings. Mr Ross recriminated at some length, and eventually left the Chamber with a valedictory “ Good day, gentlemen.” nth L , A good deal of latitude was given to Mr Ross by the Council, much more, indeed, than was warranted, but there was a desire that nothing shoulj be burked ; and With Mr Ross’ withdrawal, the investigation was gone on with. The Chairman read all the correspondence between Mr Ross and the Council, which went to show that hA was originally appointed as a road overseer, and. had complained about the nature of his dismissal. The following resolution was eventually carried on the motion of Cr. Johnson:—’ ’’ That this Committee consider that Mr Ross is not warranted, either by the plans or specifications, in stating that 34 yards was the quantity required to be spread, and that Mr Reynolds, having examined the plans, specifications, and schedule, ■ has explained that from the schedule from which the' quantities can be alone taken, the quantity was 191 yards, and your Committee consider that quantity has been faithfully put on ; that this Committee consider their Engineer to be thoroughly cleared of the imputations against him, and regret that Mr Ross should have laid such charges, evidently eminating motives not tending to the interests of this Council or ratepayers. (Left Sitting.)