Avondale’s Chosen

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 138, 1 September 1927, Page 11

Avondale’s Chosen

WERE THEY DULY SELECTED? NEW TURN IN BOROUGH AVONDALE'S amalgamation may take another interesting turn. Citizens have been thinking the question out and find grave grounds for doubt whether all the formalities were adequately complied with when the expiring Borough Council appointed its three representatives to the City Council. It was Cr. J. B. Clark who moved on Monday evening’s special meeting that the temporary Mayor, Mr. E. BL Copsey, H. Potter and J. W. Kealy should represent Avondale among the City Fathers until next municipal elections in 1929. So far everything was well. But the Mayor did not ask for further nominations, so it is said, but immediately put those three names to the Aye or No. It is claimed that further nominations should have been asked and the names submitted to the ballot.

The point is being raised, “What is the legal position with regard to the representatives so appointed?” It is also said that Mr. Copsey previously had been quite definite in his disclaimer of any wish to go on the Auckland City Council and Mr. Potter had also stated his unwillingness to accept a seat. There are many Avondale folk who regret the indecent haste with which the borough was interred, and who maintain that the elections should not have been burked. If the closing day for nominations had been awaited it migh.t have been found that the nominations did not exceed the vacancies and every one would have then been satisfied with the position.