AS THEY WERE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 51, 22 October 1931, Page 3

AS THEY WERE

council position MR. GALBKA1TH UNOPPOSED AND CR. JOHNSON WITHDRAWS THIRD RESIGN ATION REFUSED The breezes which have been ruffling the complacency of Borough Council delihe^ations since the last meeting, tiied away when councillors gathered again last night, and the municipal ship of state appears to be once again * sailing in cairn and pellucid seas. The resignation of the three members of, the Works Comanittee which agitated the public mind following differences of opinion at the last meeting of the council failed to arouse any heated discussion when they came up for consideration. On the contrary, it was announced that as the second candidate who was to have contested the by-election made necessary by Mr. W. Galbraith's resignation, had withdrawn, Mr. Galbraith, who had again been nominated to fill the vacancy would automatically resume his seat. Unfortunately, owing to the fact that the formal advertisement announcing this fact does not appear untjl to-day Mr. Galbraith was still not officially a member of the council at last night's meeting and will not resume his seat nntil next month. Both Cr. A. Smith and Cr. E. T. Johnson, the two members of the Works Committee who also tendered their resignations from the committee, were present, however, but after the position had been amicably discussed round the table, Cr. Johnsrin nnnnnnr.fif] that he Was willing to

withdraw his resignation, and although Cr. Smith stated that he could not see his way to follow his colleague, he was politely overruled and told that the council would not accept his resignation. Cr. Smith accepted the ruling in the spirit it was given and the council then proceeded to rearrange its committees by1 appointing Cr. Johnson chairman of the Works Committee, vice Mr. Galbraith, and appointing Cr. L. J. Bayfeild chairman of the Pxxblicity and Amusements Committee, in place of Cr. Johnson, who previously held that position. Unopposed | The proceedings opened when the Town Clerk announced that although two nominations had been received for the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. W. Galbraith, Mr. R. R. Griffiths had that morning withdraw his nomination leaving Mr. Galbraith unopposed. This announcement was received without comment although Councillor Johnson inquired as to what the cost in connection with the matter would he. The Mayor said that the only expenses would be iu connection with the advertising of the extraordinary vacancy. The council then proceeded to consider the resignation of Messrs Johnson and Smith from the Works Committee. The Mayor stated that the position was that the council as such could either accept the resignations oi* refuse to do so, as it saw fit. The appointment of committees 'was in the hands of the council as a whole and only the council had the right to alter the personnel. It was in the hands of the council as to whether the resignations were accepted or not. Councillor Johnson suggested that Councillor Smith and himself, ag the two persons coneerned, might leave the council ehamber while the matter was under discussion. Reeonsider Decision Councillor Smith moved that disI cussion of the matter be deferred un- • til Mr. Galbraith resumed his seat, . when there would be a full council to consider the resignations. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. J The hope that the two councillors . would reeonsider their decision was ! expressed by Councillor N. M. Keane, l who said that the matter had now > been well ventilated and the protest which the two councillors desired to i register by their resignations had . been well emphasised. • "It seems to me that the whob l thing has been a misconception. The contentions as set forth here by

Councillors Smith and Johnson are not what the council intended," said Councillor O. H. Coleman, and was proceeding further along the same lines when the Mayor ruled that the only matter for discussion was as to whether the council would accept the resignations before it. He did not think it "advisable to discuss the pros and cons of the councillors' actions at that juncture. Councillors Smith and Johnson reiterated their desire to retire from the council ehamber while the resignations were discussed. Councillor Johxison stated that he presumed that whatever decision the council arrived at Councillor Smith and himself would have the right of reply. . The Mayor: Whatever decision the council arrives at will have to be final. Councillor Johnson: I understand that. No Appeal The Mayor said that if the council decided that it would not accept either of the resignations that decision would he final and there could he no appeal against it. So far as the two councillors leaving the council ehamber was coneerned, he thought that anything which was to he said could he said in front of them. Councillor Smith said that he wanted the scope of the Works Committee's operations defiixed. If the council ruled that the resignations would not be accepted there could he no harmony unless the members of the Works Committee knew where they stood. Councillor Smith was proceeding to elaborate his reasons for his resignation when the Mayor ruled him out of order. Duties Scheduled Mr. Jackson stated that all the duties "bf the various committees has been scheduled some time since. Councillor Smith had apparently taken exception to certain whrk being removed from the control of the Works Committee and placed in the . hands of another committee. His proper course, if he desired to.remedy this position, was to give notice of motion _ — * •» . .. L:s\ . *. ,■ ' . ....

to have the resolution rescinded. Councillor Smith said that he would give that notice of motion. "Resigning gets you nowhere. It does not convert others to your opinion." If they disagreed with anything, they could fight it out in the council said Councillor G. Urquhart, who sup- ^ ported the Mayor in contending that the proper course for the councillors 1 to have taken was to have given no- ! tice of motion and contested the matter in council. He also appealed. to : the two councillors to reeonsider their | decision. j Resignation Withdrawn Councillor Johnson said that aftex* ! the Mayor's explanation, and realising as he did that the council wished them to carry on, he was per--sonally agreeable to withdraw his re1 signatjon. They had the idea, and he did not think that it was yet dis•sipated. that another committee had been infringing upon their province, *-but the notice of motion given by • Councillor Smith would remove that. Councillor Smith: I am sorry that •I cannot see the matter from Councillor Johnson's point of view. The worlc is still going on and I cannot ■voluntarily serve on this committee -•unless I am ordered to do so. The Mayor: I would still suggest -to Councillor Smith that the proper ■thing to do is to withdraw his resignation, to save the council, as it were, from ordering him to remain on the committee. I do not think he would he weakening his position in any wayor forfeiting the respect of any councillor by agreeing to adopt the proper course. I would like to ask Councillor Smith whether he will not adopt Councillor Johnson's line of action. Could Not Respect Myself • Councillor Smith: I am very sorry, Sir, to appear ungracious, but I could not respect myself if I did so. ■ The Mayor then formally .moved that the council. accept Councillor • Johnson's withdrawal and tHis was adopted without dissent. • Councillor N. M. Keane expressed regret that the council had not de■cided merely to. refuse to accept both resignations; then there would have been no need for any beg pardons on either side. He- moved, and Councillor W. H. Wackrow seconded, that Coun--eillor Smith's resignation b'e not accepted. This was also carried without dissent. .. The Mayor: The position then is >that Couneillor Johnson has withdrawn his resignation and the council has agreed not " to accept that of Councillor Smith. Therefore^ . both •these gentlenxen will remain on the >Works ■ Committee. Mr. Galbraith, of Course, until the next meeting will; not he eligible for election to any* committee. * It was decided after some further; ■discussion, that Councillor Wackrow; should be transferred from the Drainage Committee to the Works Com-J mittee - in order to bring the latter. body up to strength. Gouncillor John-. son was elected chairman of the Works Committee vacating his position as chairman of the Publicity and Amuse-.. ments Committee which was filled by " the election of Councillpr L. J. Bay- I . feild to the position.