A FINAL FLUTTER

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 565, 10 September 1920, Page 4

A FINAL FLUTTER

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

COMPLIMENTARY AND OTHERWISE. Truel to its unenviable reputation for stormy meetings, the Tuakau Town Board had a rather lively "final flutter" at its meeting on Tuesday night, which was the last ordinary meeting prior to the elections, which take place next Wednesday. The chairman thanked the members of the board who had supported hiin during the past year. The board, he grctted to say, had not worked in harmonv, and for this ratepayers had suffered. However, ratepayers would have an opportunity of selecting now men next Week, and lie hoped that the neW'jjftepvbers would work in n way for the good of the town district. He also wished to pay a tribute to Mr. Tapper for his verv accurate, able, and conscientious work. The books had always been passed without comment by the auditor. He also wished to state that, in his opinion, the work of the engineer, Mr. John Routly, was second to none in the North Island, and his work had stood the test well. The new portion of George Street being done would be second to none in the Franklin County. Also, the "oreman, Mr. Harry Wilson, had fulfilled his position ably and conscientiously. He had had six years as chairman of the board, and bad done his best for the ratepayers. A chairman s usefulness depended largely on the support he had received from colleagues.

Mr. .J. Mungall replied that the ratepayers did not wish unity when : things were not being done in a < straight manner. A certain contract: was carried through in an indirect manner. A solicitor had been enX gaged whom the chairman said h<* did not know, but eight days befor»]j the meeting the chairman and engineer bad interviewed him on the matter. This was not an honourable course.

Mr. T. Pirret answered that Mr. Mumrall had not acted honourably in writing to the auditor-general behind the board's back, as it *wer \ Tmless that was a land agent's idea of honour

The chairman treated Mr. Mungall's strictures with contempt, and submitted that he had treated every ratepayer fairly and squarely, His actions for the whole <time of his residence in Tuakau was a sufficient reply to anv criticism made.

The chairman also eulogised the "Times" for its accurate and impartial reports, the effectiveness of its advertising, and the reasonableness id' its charges for printing. The editor of the "Times" replied, stating that, with all due respect to members, the "Times" held no brief for any local body, member or members thereof: its function was to guard the interests of the ratepayers and the general community, in conformity with the motto at the head of its leader column, "Public Service."