COMMITTEE DUTIES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 71, 14 November 1931, Page 5

COMMITTEE DUTIES

• council discussion NOTICES OF MOTION BROUGHT FORWARD BY CR. A. SMITH ONE WITHDRAWN The recent differences of opinion which have been exercising the minds of members of the Rotorua Borough Council with regard to the. duties ofthe Worlcs Gommittee more especially in regard to street beantification work. were practically smoothed away at Thursday night's meeting of the Council when Councillor Albert Smith brought forward the following notices of motion. (1) That the duties of all committees shall be absolutely defined by resolution of the Council; (2) that the works committee shall control all works authorised by the Council to be carried out on streets and roads, including tree planting, removal of street trees, formation and maintenance of grass plots, kerbing, channelling, or buildings which may be erected on roads or streets." The first motion, which was ■ seconded by Cr. W. Galbraith, was witbdrawn by the mover and second6r, and the second was carried with the deletiopi of the words "removal of street trees." In speaking to the first motion, Councillor Smtih said that at the time the recent differences of opinion developed he held, and still held, very definite ideas as to the scope of the duties of the Works Committee. In the calmer atmosphere. which now prevailed, he asked that the Council would give the motion fair consideration entirely free from any hint of personal feeling which might have entered into the question. Outcome of Resignations The motions which he had brought forward were an outcome of the recent resignations from the Works Committee and he thought that the time had come when the duties of the committee should be clearly defined^ He considered that this reque&t was perfectly moderate and that it would be reasonable to take any steps which would prevent a repetition of the recent position. k f As a member of the Works Committee, he thought it much better that one committee should handle a definitely defined area. In his second motion, he had defined what he considered should reasonably constitute the duties of the Works Committee. He also considered that the council might advantageously define the duties of the Works. Committe Seconding Cr. Smith's first motion, Cr. W. Galbraith said that he thought that "as a result of the recent dustup" something should be done to clarify the position. The differences would not have occurred had the duties of the Works Committee been clearly defined. No Revision Since 1927. Mr. Jackson said that there had been no revision of the duties of committees since May, 1927, but at the time of that revision, in view of tho fact that circumstances were changing, it had been set out that any alteration in the_ duties of committees could be made by resolution without notice of motion. Cr. O. H. Coleman said that speaking as a member of three different committees he had never had any doubt as to the scope of their duties. Perhaps the duties of the Reserves and Parks Committee might be considered but so far as the Legal and Finance committee and the Drainage committee were concexmed he thought that it would only be waste of time undertaking a revision. The duties were perfectly well defined already. Cr. Smith said he agreed with Cr. Coleman on this point. It was not his desire to create unnecessary work. First Motion Bropped The Mayor said that in view of the discussion, he could not see that any particular purpose would be served by bringing forward Cr. Smith's first motion. There was no doubt about the Finance and Legal, and Drainage committees duties and the General committee's duties had not altered to any extent since they were first constituted. Councillor Smith said that after listening to the discussion and hearing Mr. Jackson's explanation, he thought that the first motion could be dropped and with the consent of his secnoder, Cr. Galbraith, he withdrew the first notice of motion standing in his name. • ■ Councillor Smith then brought for-

ward his second motion for consideration. This motion was seconded by Councillor E. T. Johnson. Cr. Johnson maintained that the words "Works Committee" should indicate that any work being carried out was under the control of that committee until completed. Other committees could arrange the work but while it was actually being carried out it should be under the Works Com mittee. Clauses Opposed Cr. Coleman said that he could not agree with the clause in the motion which gave the Works Committee control of the removal of street trees or with the final clause placing the control of buildings on roads or streets In the hands of that committee. Cr. G. Urquhart was of the opinion that the council should first deiine the duties of the Reserves Committee. If that was done first they would know where, the

Works Committee stood. He was strongly opposed to the clause in the motion giving the Works Committee control of any buildings which might be erected on streets or roads. The Mayor said that the clause regarding the removal of street trees would require a rescinding motion as this work had by resolution already been placed in the hands of another committee. He suggested that the Reserves and Works committees should confer regarding the position and report to the next meeting of the council. "I would like to see this matter cleared up to-night. It has been a thorn in our sides long enough," said Cr. Smith. After some further discussion, with the appro'val of his seconder, Cr. Smith finally agreed to the deletion of the section of his motion dealing with the removal of street trees and the motion as amended, was carried on the voices with Cr. Coleman dissentihg.