Angry Scene Staged at Transport Board

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 806, 29 October 1929, Page 1

Angry Scene Staged at Transport Board

MR. MORTON HALTED HOT WORDS WITH CHAIRMAN There was an angry sequel at the meeting of the Tranport Board this morning to the incident involving Mr. *F. S. Morton and the manager to the undertaking, Mr. A. E. Ford, at the end of the meeting a fortnight ago. Mr. M. J. Coyle, a second member of the board, was also concerned. Mr. Morton, in a statement to the Press after the deliberations, said he had been threatened by the manager and would take legal action. v ln attempting to bring the question up this morning he included Mr. Coyle in his remarks. Immediately the meeting began today, Mr. 'Morton got to his feet, saying he had an important personal question which he wanted ventilated. He was blocked by the chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, who asked its relevancy. Mr. Morton: It is most urgent to me. I wish to bring it before members. Mr. Allum: You must.ask the indulgence of the board. Mr. Morton: I will; it is most urgent to me. Mr. Allum: What is your resolution? Mr. Morton (loudly): At the close of the last ordinary meeting- I was threatened with assault, and Mr. Allum: Will you kindly resume your seat. Mr. Morton; Well, but I want to say Mr. Allum: If you want to be heard you must get the sanction of threequarters of those present. Do you ask that? Mr. Morton (hesitating) : Well, I suppose I’ll have to agree to it. The motion for indulgence was then put, and carried without dissent. “At the close of last ordinary meeting I was threatened by the manager and also by Mr. M. J. Coyle, a member of the board,” . Mr. Morton said hotly, and got no further. Mr. E. J. Phelan, waiting his chance, jumped up to a point of order. The chairman; Your point, Mr. Phelan? Mr. Phelan: It is this: anything that transpires outside the board meeting has nothing whatever to do with it. Mr. Allum (in a flash): Point sustained; item No. 2. Mr. Morton (angrily) : I must object. I had no protection from the chair. Mr. Allum (shouting) : Resume your seat. Mr. Morton, attempting to get in another word, was motioned down by the chair, and Mr. Allum proceeded forthwith to item number two.