PURSUED !

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1080, 18 September 1930, Page 10

PURSUED !

CR. BASTEN WALKS OUT THEN WALKS IN AGAIN SAVING A BEACH Councillor Alice Basten walked out of a special City Council meeting yesterday afternoon, and then walked in again. Cr. J. Dempsey, chairman of the works committee, pursued the ladv out of the chamber, and apparently liis overtures decided her to return. The meeting was called to make a final decision regarding the waterfront road at Koliimarama, and, with Cr. Basten, there was only a bare quorum present. A resolution was moved by Cr. G. W. Hutchison to the effect that the scheme to form the road along the foreshore he proceeded with, and that property which was deemed to be excessively valued be taken under the Public Works Act. This was supported by Cr. Bastcu,

who spoke for a few minutes. She declared that there was only a bare quorum present, and she felt personally that the question was too important to decide without a full meeting of the council. Then Cr. Basten walked toward the door. The Mayor, Mr. George Baildon, rose to his feet. “Are you retiring, Cr. Basten?” he asked. Cr. Basten, tinkering with the doorknob: Yes. The Mayor: You will leave us without a quorum. You come to the meeting, second a motion, and then walk out. Cr. Basten, still holding the doorknob: I couldn’t stay and see a beach lost. Tho majority of those present seems to be opposed to saving the beach. The Mayor (with dignity): I will not allow you to say that. CT. Basten: I know there is only a baro quorum present, and by leaving the meeting I desire to save the beach. Through the half-opened door her words were rather indistinct. However, she seemed to have nothing more to say, and the dark-clad figure disappeared from the council chamber, to the consternation of those present. Cr. Dempsey jumped to liis feet, and followed Cr. Basten like a flash. The murmur of hurried discussion rose from the meeting. “This is a most remarkable attitude,” Cr. H. P. Burton was heard to remark.

Presently Cr. Dempsey returned, accompanied by Cr. Basten. “I’ve come back to play the game, sir,” she remarked to the Mayor. Then she resumed her seat, and the meeting continued.