GRANT RETRACTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 311, 23 March 1928, Page 16

GRANT RETRACTED

HEBREW CEMETERY LAND FOR COMMUNAL HALL “OPPOSITION” SCORES A WIN “I -hope, for the council’s credit, that this won’t be brushed aside again to-night.” Cr. S. Irwin Crookes thus challenged the City Council, at its meeting last night, on the proposal to transfer to the Hebrew community the Jewish cemetery in Karangahape Road. The area concerned is one-eighth of an acre, on which the Hebrews propose to erect a communal hall. “T HI S is the first nibble,” said Cr. Crookes, warning councillors that by permitting the transfer they would be creating a most dangerous precedent. He moved that the council rescind both the motion passed .on September lo last, agreeing to the vesting of the land in the Hebrew congregation under restrictions, and the motion passed at last meeting, empowering the execution of the transfer. As a result of the discussion at the last meeting of the council the city solicitor interviewed the Hebrew congregation's solicitors, who stated that the deed of transfer of the’land from the council to the Beth Israel Trust was made without the council’s original motion being considered. The trust was prepared to fall in with the council’s requirements, and had prepared a fresh deed. The president of the congregation forwarded a further letter, in which he pointed out that the claim for the land had been made on moral grounds only. The council had officially advised he congregation that it would execute n:i agreement if legislative authority was secured,. subject to the express condition that it was only to be used to erect and maintain a communal hall. He could not conceive that the council could be moved by of any sort, or that it would refuse the fulfilment of a promise freely given. The Jewish community Avould be encouraged to make its due contribution to civic affairs by the honouring of the promise. Cr. Crookes emphatically took exception to the suggestion that councillors had been moved by prejudice. His motion was seconded by Cr. A. J. Stallworthy, who said the alienation >f the land would imply either privilege to the Hebrew congregation, or the establishment of a precedent. “HIGHLY IMPROPER” Cr. Stallworthy characterised as highly improper the letter sent by the president of the Hebrew congregation It was pointed out by Cr. J. w! Kealy that the council held an obligation as trustee, and should therefore not commit itself to alienation, buch a responsibility should be taken only by the Government.. If the earlier decisions were rescinded, the Hebrew coneregation should be reimbursed for the expense undertaken in putting through empowering legislation. Cr. L. A. Eady termed the discussion as an unnecessary eleventh-hour effort by the die-hards. Miss Ellen Melville: It is not an eleventh-hour effort. It represents consistent action on the part of councillors who take a serious view of their trusteeship. Cr. Phelan expressed sympathy for the councillors who were turning somersaults. The land was originallv vested m the Jewish trustees for u cemetery. There was little difference a gravestone and a communal hall. The Jewish community had

shown great generosity in giving some of its land to the city for a corner reserve. MOVE TO RESCIND After a long debate that was at times very dreary, and at times tinctured by the spice of humour, the motion was carried by 12 votes to 10. The division was: AYES NOES ' Phelan Miss Hasten Eady Crookes Murray Stallworthy Allum Kealy Coyle “ - - Cas^y Copsey Potter Brinsden The Mayor Ponald Knight Entrican Dempsey Ashley Paterson Court Cr. Coyle at once gave notice to

move that the motion just pas rescinded. He stated that tbe> keep it going till next Christmas. absent members had voted i of the transfer. Cr. A. J. Stallworthy then that the council make J‘ e P re lhe leT"' to the Government to have relation making the transfer P , pealed. Cr. G. Knight secon- dea. On the suggestion of 10 cillors the motion was wi the meantime.