“Gross Breach of Privilege”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 167, 5 October 1927, Page 13

“Gross Breach of Privilege”

MT. ALBERT MINUTES AMENDMENT DEMANDED The Mount Albert Borough Council met under the chill hand of some restraint last evening. Out of the electrical air Councillor J. Brigham launched a bolt, when the Mayor moved the confirmation of the minutes of special meetings of the Council. He drew attention to the fact that liis name was not included as a dissentient with Councillor W. G. Russell to the resolution on September 27 giving reasons for the dismissal of Mr. W. Cook, late engineer to the borough. He askei to have his name included, as he did not know the reasons for the engineer's dismissal. The Mayor suggested that the minutes w’ould be acceptable.* if Mr. Brigham's name were inserted. Mr. Brigham quoted the standing orders, and went on to give his reasons for his protest against the resolutions. “In the first place,” he said, “the resolution suggests or implies that I was present at all meetings of the committee, which is incorrect. A reference to the minutes of the meeting held on July 25, 1927, will show that I was not present at the meeting on that date. “That minutes in connection with I’.hese special meetings were not circulated till after the engineer’s resignation was called for, and when I asked in committee and again in council for the charges to be stated I could get no reply. “My second objection is the most vita', of all. Has n-ot a most serious breach of privilege, and of the ordinary rules of the conduct of meetings been committed? In all public bodies the chairman will never permit a remark to be made which imputes that another member has been guilty of dishon Durable conduct, far less would he permit a motion to be put which contains such an imputation. This is a rule that is followed in every assembly, and you, as chairman of our own meetings, would usually promptly compel a councillor to withdraw a remark which reflected upon the honour of a fellow councillor. “Any person reading this resolution will gather the impression that Councillor Russell and I have pjblicly told lies. Whatever your private opinion may be, is it not a gross breach of privilege, especally in view of the fact that, it was obviously intended for publication? I now take this opportunity of denying those imputations.” Councillor Russell seconded the amendment, and with that addition to the minutes they were confirmed.