FAREWELLING PUKEKOHE SOLDIERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 219, 20 October 1916, Page 2

FAREWELLING PUKEKOHE SOLDIERS.

Methods Criticised. Council's Heated Discussion At the meeting of the Pukekoho Borough Council on Wednesday, a letter was read from Mr C. K. Liwrie tendering his resignation as chairman of the Military Farewell Committee by reason „of erroneous statements having been made that he only acted for his self-glorificatior and attended farewell at the expense of the funds. a Or Barter, as a member Committee, explained that the Committee as a body felt very hurt over an incident that had recently occurred in wlirh reflections had been cast on their chairman, Mr Lawrie. He i the sneaker) gave * riiract.

■Bomber of the Committee partook Kof afternoon tea out of the Comhnittee's funds. On the contrary [ the members of the Committee thempelves paid for everyone who was present at the functions. Again the .Committee spent a good deal of time and put in no little work in connection with the gatherings and self-glorification was an unwarranted imputation on them. Mr Barter proceeded to read a statement of pthe Committee's finances, which [showed that the receipts, including the Council's grant of £lO and proceeds of concerts, etc., had amounted to £45 7s Bd, whilst payments made (58 presents having been purchased) totalled £42 3s lOd leaving a cash balance in hand of £3 Is lOd against outstanding liabilities of £lO 3s 6d. In conclusion, he stated that the remarks that had been passed by a certain gentleman constituted a direct slur on the chairman and on the Committee and the only excuse he could make for the person concerned was that he must have been suffering from " vapourings of a disorganised liver " or that he was jealous of Mr Lawrie holding the position of chairman. He had been asked by the Committee to notify the Council that under the circumstances they would all be handing in their resignations as a protest against what had been said against their chairman.

Cr Roadley: May I ask Cr Barter who is the gentleman he refers to as having made the statement?

Cr Barter: It is you, Cr Roadley. Cr Roadley : Where were the remarks made ? Or Barter: In the hotel.

Cr Roadley expressed the opinion that any private conversation he had had should not have been brought up at a Council meeting. He went on to say that Mr Coady, the secretary to the Committee, had gone to him that day and had reminded him of a recent conversation between them, and he (Cr Roadley) told him that he did not remember having said what was attributed to him, but if he had he would not go back on it. As a matter of fact he had not referred to Mr Lawrie in any way. Mr Coady informed him at the time of the conversation that a deadlock had been arrived at through the Committee having reached the end of their funds and his remarks were simply in regard to what the committee had done. The Council appointed two representatives to act on the committee and they should have made reports to the Council and then the financial difficulty would never have arisen. He would be the last one to say that Mr Lawrie had acted in a mercenary sense, but his point was that if the Mayor properly fulfilled his _ duties MrLa wrie" would not be acting as chairman of the committee, which he was through the Mayor refusing to occupy the position. The Mayor (interrupting) informed Cr Roadley that he had not refused to act as chairman of the Military Farewell Committee. What he had done was that he expressed inability to act as chairman of a different committee. CrßoadJey (continuing) contended that if the Council's representatives on the committee had reported their difficulties to the Council he would have favoured the grant being increased to £25 conditionally on a subsidy of a like amount being collected from the traders of the town for whom the men were fighting. He would have thus assisted the committee. He considered it wrong in principle that members of the committee should dip their hands into their pockets to pay the expenses of the teas. It was, however, a common idea that a little clique were " running" the farewell gatherings and only a little circle attending them. What he had mentioned to Mr Coady was to that effect. Cr Barter: Does Cr Roadley deny that he said one member or the whole committee were acting for their self-glorification ? Cr Roadley: I have told you my recollection of the conversation.

The Mayor proposed that a letter should be written to Mr Lawrie expressing the Council's regret that in carrying out their functions the committee should have incurred any abuse, and in asking Mr Lawrie to withdraw his resignation the Council should also express regret that they could not prevent malicious remarks being made which they accordingly hoped he would ignore. The Mayor considered the position clear since Cr Eoadley had told them that if he had made the remarks referred to he would not go back on them. Cr Eoadley (interrupting): What I meant to say was that if it was said I made the remarks I would not say that I did not.

The Mayor (continuing) said that he was of opinion that Cr Roadley should withdraw the remarks. It was only frivolous to take up the position he was doing. At this stage Cr Roadley rose to a point of order and protested against the Mayor casting reflections on him. He added that he did not remember having said anything derogatory of the committee and had no intention cf doing so. He also protetted that anyone, although he might be a Councillor, had a right to have a private conversation without it being thrown back at him. The Mayor: I cannot Bee that romarks should be made at random und no notice taken of them. Cr Roadley: You are only trying to defame me. I am not going to allow you or any other member to dictate to me. Cr Barter said he agreed that as a rule it was not right that private conversations should be brought before the Council but in that case a letter was before them. The conversation, if private, occurred in a public place and the Committee asked that Cr Roadley should either withdraw his statements or substantiate them. Cr Roadley : I move the adjournment of the Council. The Mayor tried to sum up his own case and then other councillors and follow on the same lines. The motion for the adjournment of the Council having lapsed through want of a seconder, Or Clarke " pro forma " seconded the Mayor's reso-

' amendment that Mr Lawrie should be asked to withdraw his resignation "on the grounds that tittle tattle was not worthy of a man in his position taking notice of." Cr Clarke : I second—" to give it a go " Cr Motion said that as a member of the Committee he had endeavoured to do the best he could but if it was considered he was a member of a little clique he would resign and would give his own chequo over to meet the Committee's debit balance. A SURPRISING CLIMAX. On the amendment being submitted to the voices the only vote recorded in favour was that of Cr Roadley, whilst silence prevailed when votes " against " were asked for. The Mayor accordingly declared the amendment carried, and on it being put as the substantive motion it was carried, Crs Boadley and Bilkey voting " for " and no members " against." Cr Roadley : I now move that the Council's grant to the Committee be increased to £25 conditionally on the business men being circularised to contribute another £25.

No seconder being forthcoming, Cr Roadley remarked " There's patriotism for you. The Committee can go on paying out of their own pockets." The matter then dropped.