Candid Councillors

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 488, 18 October 1928, Page 7

Candid Councillors

Relations first became strained when the Mayor p*t a motion that a pianos the proposed alterations to the tramway system at the “Triangle,” Broadway, forwarded by the manager of the city tramways, be received. Several councillors asked to see the plan, denying that they had ever seen it or * facsimile of it before. Cr. H. Gregory suggested that the Mayor should "play the gentleman.” ••It is not fair that this tramways affair should be made an excuse for an attack on my character,” he said. “I have been accused of being unscrupulous and speculating in the borough. Such remarks do not befit a man in your position.” Cr. Gregory considered it incorrect to say that the council had supported the proposal. Criticism of such affairs was all right but not personal attacks. Mr. Donaldson: I made my charge on the public platform. I was told that >ou had gone to ratepayers, saying “The Mayor wants to put one across you by putting the zone in Remuera.” Cr. Gregory: That is only hearsay. Mr. Donaldson: I would rather take other peoples’ word for it than your own. Tour word is not good enough for me. Cr. H. J. Cooper also complained that he knew nothing of the plan. “It is not fair to put it before the public ’ without your councillors seeing it,” was bis comment. “The plan was given to you for private use, and you made borough use of it. When I round out the methods used by you to deceive your council it strengthened my determination to oppose the scheme.” Cr. Gregory asked whether the plan referred to by the previous speaker had been addressed to the Mayor of Newmarket, and, on being told that it had been, suggested that it should have been shown to the council. “It was not gentlemanly,” he concluded. Mr. Donaldson: Cr. Gregory, I must ask you to- be more courteous. Cr. Gregory: I am plain spoken; too plain spoken for some people. The plan was received. “FOOLS’ PARADISE’’ After the first exchange, events moved along comparatively smoothly until the treasurer’s half-yearly report was discussed. The report states as follow: “It will be noted that the receipts are expected to yield £147 less than the sum appearing in the year’s estimates, while payments will probably exceed the estimate by £B3O. This means, at the present rate, an adverse balance of £977 at the close of the year. In view of the position disclosed, the finances will need to be very carefully administered during the next six months, and it may be necessary to cut down expenditure in certain directions.” Cr. Gregory called attention to the seriousness of the position. “We are living in a fool’s paradise,” he said. “We are paying sinking fund and interest out of revenue, and at the end of the year w*e shall be £I,OOO down.”* MAYORAL HONORARIUM Continuing, Cr. Gregory called attention to the fact that the Mayor’s ' honorarium was shown in the general account as £ 200, last year's figures being shown in parentheses as £IOO. Has the Mayor's honorarium been doubled,” he asked, “or has he drawn the full amount in this half year?” The speaker considered that, in view of the position, it was not fair that the ratepayers should have to pay interest on the extra £IOO. He would like enlightenment on the subject. Mr. Donaldson: You are asking a despicable question; but if you have the courage of your convictions you will move condemning my action and then we shall see where we stand. Cr. J. Watts explained that the Mayor’s action was quite usual. The Mayor of Onehunga had drawn his honorarium in full already. Cr. Gregorry: I was just going through the figures. Mr. Donaldson: It is despicable: be a man and move a vote of censure. The almost coVnplete absorption of Relief Loan No. 3 by work in Sarawai street was then discussed, the Mayor

Personalities at Newmarket Challenge to Mayor SUCH terms as “graft,” “fools’ paradise,” “speculating,” “unscrupulous,” “scandalous,” “withdraw” and “resign” were tossed rapidly back and forth at last evening’s meeting of the Newmarket Borough Council. At one stage a councillor suggested that he and the Mayor should resign and then contest the Mayoralty.

considering that ratepayers would be confident that the council would not raise the rates. “These questions are being raised to obtain cheap publicity.” he said. Cr. Cooper suggested that the Mayor had enjoyed his share of cheap publicity. Mr. Donaldson: I paid for mine. Cr. Cooper: Watch out that the Legal and Finance Committee doesn’t have to. Cr. N. Kelleway: Can we not get on with the bus s ness? Cr. Watts advised the council to trust to the treasurer’s figures and the balance sheet was adopted. PROPOSAL TO MAYOR Though regretting the necessity of introducing the subject, Cr. Cooper said ho was forced to refer to allusions made to him by the Mayor in a "local paper. “In the lobby here you said

to me recently,” he continued, “that iC l persisted in attacking you, you would say something that would make my name ‘stink’ in Newmarket.” Mr. Donaldson: Your name does stink in Newmarket. Opr. Cooper suggested that the discussion was not for the Press. Mr. Donaldson: A representative of the official organ of “The Big Seven” is here, so the dailies might as well have it. Cr. Gregory: You have made allusions to my speculations in the borough. What are they? Do you know of anything I have done against tho ratepayers’ interests since I joined the council? Mr. Donaldson: You can best answer that yourself. Cr. Gregory: I want an answer. Mr. Donaldson: I am afraid that you are on a fishing excursion. Cr. Gregory: You cannot prove your statement. Mr. Donaldson: Where have I said that you were speculating? Cr. Gregory (flourishing a copy of the “Gazette”): You have made a reference to two councillors Mr. Donaldson: Evidently the cap fits. Cr. Gregory suggested that the Mayor resign. “I will do likewise,” he said, “and we can contest the Mayoralty.” Mr. Donaldson: That would put me in no better position. Mr. Donaldson suggested that Cr. Gregory and his “back-road schemers” resign and submit themselves for reelection. He considered the backroad scheme was the biggest piece of graft in New Zealand. Cr. G. E. Smerdon: Withdraw that statement. It is scandalous. At this stage Cr. Gregory left the meeting. Cr. J. Hardley: You said Mr. Cooper’s name stank. After what he and Cr. Gregory have done since they have been on the council, it is not right that you should accuse them of graft. You think* that all the honesty is on your side and that your council is a villainous lot. You ought to apologise. The meeting was declared closed.