“ASK THEM TO RESIGN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 154, 20 September 1927, Page 12

“ASK THEM TO RESIGN”

DISMISSAL OF MOUNT ALBERT ENGINEER COUNCIL FACES STORM OF CENSURE LET'S march to the Council Chamber in force, and demand reasons for the dismissal, or resignations!” Wild applause by hundreds of people packed into the Gaiety Theatre, greeted this suggestion last night, and it seems that the Mount Albert Borough Council has every reason to expect an unwieldy deputation at to-night’s special meeting.

T MMENSELY enthusiastic, the meet- -*■ ing took up the cause o£ the dismissed engineer, Mr. W. H. Cook, and passed by a large majority a resolution asking for the resignation of the council, if reasons for the dismissal were not given.

By 7.30 p.m. the hall was full and before eight the place was packed, men sitting or the stage steps and standing in the passages. “I would like any council members present to come on to the platform,” said the chairman, Mr. W. D. Fulton.

Amid applause Cr. W. G. Russell went up.

Mr. M. R. O’Callaghan explained that the meeting was to deal with “what appears to be a very iniquitous action on the part of the council.” After ratepayers had demanded a permanent engineer for a long time, the council had appointed Mr. Cook. He was forthwith instructed to prepare schedules for a £750,000 loan without a staff, and he did so.

"Two years ago the Mayor and councillors thought him one of the best fellows on earth,” continued the speaker. Here the chairman exhorted two members of the council who were present to “come up.” There was no response, and someone yelled “They're not game.” NOTHING BUT PRAISES A circular, issued with the loan proposals, said Mr. O’Callaghan, stated that the council was extremely fortunate In getting the services of Mr. Cook, and as lately as April of this year the Mayor, in an address at Edendale, had ting but praises” for the engineer. Confidence in Mr. Cook must have been shaken since the elections. “To ruin a professional man of Mr. Cook’s age and throw him out after 30 years’ experience is a little bit ‘over the fence,’ and For that you and I will not stand,” declared Mr. O’Callaghan. (Applause). "There is a lot more than appears on the surface of this. The council is sheltering behind a legal quibble, for immediately it gives a reason for its action it lays itself open to an action for damages by the aggrieved person.” Objection was raised when Mr. O’Callaghan proposed to swqar in Mr. Cook on the Bible, so that he would answer any questions put to him, and Mr. R. Matthews, a solicitor, did so. Q stions were fired at the exengineer in quick succession.

“Do you contemplate any legal action?” —“Th ,t is purely a question for my lawyer and myself.” \.hy was the borough foreman dismiss 1?”—No, I can’t answer that either. It was done over my head by the council.”

“Why has tne borough council lost confidence in you?”—“l’ve been trying to find that out for the past fortnight.” “How long is it since the council lost confidence?”—“l can only assume that it was within the last three weeks.”

“How has your administration been interfered with?”—“Most decidedly it has been interfered with. I was not allowed to carry out my own ideas half the time.”

“Were the plans of King Street altered by you or the council?”—“Under instructions of the committee, and the cost was added.” Still under cross-examination, Mr. Cook said that under his terms of engagement he was to have had complete control of the staff. He had not protested at the time the whole power was put in the hands of five men, but he had done so since. “TURF TOPICS”

Mr. Cook then read an address on the disabilities, the gist of which appeared in THE SUN on Saturday. A breezy sketch entitled “Topics of the Turf,” which was written by the office boy and which, said Mr. Cook, had caused the dismissal of the whole of tho office staff, was solemnly read by the chairman, the audience getting a lot of merriment out of it. A Voice: Was that written in the office time? Cries of “Oh, awful!”

Mr. Cook said that the Mayor had asked him to play the part of a detective in finding out the names of men who had been disloyal at the elections, so that they might be dismissed. (Cries of “P.P.A. tactics.”) “Up till that time the Mayor and I had been quite friendly,” he said. A Voice: “Why were men brought from Waihi and others put off?”—“I had nothing to do with the bringing of men from Waihi or any other place.”

“When a man is to be discharged there is usually a good deal of smoke before the fire,” continued Mr. Cook, “but there was no smoke this time. The chairman of the Works Committ€;e had never complained of me, and the Mayor himself had only mentioned that three or four men had been standing idle in Balmoral Road.” A Voice: Another was sacked for drinking tea. COUNCIL’S BOMBSHELL After the “bombshell” exploded at the council meeting, Mr. Cook had en-

deavoured to get the charges against him from the Mayor and councillors, but without result. He was not ashamed of what lie had done and it was for the council to say what he had not. All he wanted was “common fair justice.” Mr. Cook thanked Crs. Russell and Brigham for having supported him at the council. The councillors present were again asked to come on to the platform by the chairman, but without result. Voices: They’re not game. Cr. Russell said: “I do not intend to touch on the subject of this meeting, the sending of a protest against the unjust and un-British action of the councillors. I did protest in the right place, and I will continue to do so until justice is served.” Asked what was the difference between his estimate for the New North Road and the contractor’s price, Mr. Cook said that he had overestimated the work to the extent of about £7,000. He had made the estimates without a single plan to go by. To satisfy listeners he looked up the exact figures, which were: Estimate £45,032; price, £35,255; a difference of roughly £9,000.

“As a councillor for four years, I tell you that one of the things I am proud of was my assistance in getting the engineer,” said Mr. R. Matthews. “I have a high opinion of him and I will keep it until charges are brought and proved against him.” He urged ratepayers not to think of amalgamation with the city yet. RESIGNATION ASKED

Mr. Thomas McDermott then moved “That the Mayor and councillors be asked to resign,” and Mr. O’Callaghan seconded the motion. An amendment, “That this meeting ask the council to lay a charge and state definitely the reasons for the discharge of Mr. Cook, or resign, was moved by Mr. L. Benjamin and seconded by Mr. J. Mac Kay. Tho motion having been withdrawn in favour of the amendment, Mr. H. Kayes moved that the meeting endorse the action of the council in carrying out its duties in the interests of the ratepayers.” and Mr. W. R. ~Gowdie seconded. Mr. Kayes’s amendment was overwhelmed and the motion was carried by a large majority, and the action of Crs. Russell and Brigham was endorsed.

Mr. O’Callaghan’s suggestion that the ratepayers should march en masse to the council chamber to-night was received with acclamation. The same speaker said that Mr. Rhodes had declared at a meeting in the Town Hall that educational authorities should resign. He should follow his own advice now, for confidence in him was lost. BRITISH FAIR PLAY Cr. Russell, explaining his attitude, said that he had never heard a charge against Mr. Cook and until he did, he could not support the council. Cr. Brigham, who had come late, endorsed Mr. Russell’s action, and said that he wanted to see “British fair play.” Cr. Peter Floyd said that if the ratepayers did not approve of his action he would resign.” said -Mr. O’Callaghan. “I ask Mr. Peter Floyd, who is present, to resign like a man.” Voices: What about it, Peter? The Chairman: I have never regretted any action in my life like my standing aside for Peter Floyd at the last election. I am prepared to contest the seat with him! Voices: Election propaganda!