"YOU'RE ANOTHER!"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8129, 8 June 1906, Page 2

"YOU'RE ANOTHER!"

COUNTY COUNCIL COURTESY. A LIVELY PASSAGE-AT-ARMS. AN IRATE COUNCILLOR. At the Taranaki County Council meeting on AV-dnmlay a passage-at-arms, at times of a pronouncedly sultry nature, occurred between Cr Andrew's and Mr Mwre (one of t.'ie Ornata riding foremen), At the May meeting of the Counoil a resolution was p,is«ed dispensing with the services of Moore. Mr Moore wrote to the Ciuniil and also waited on the meeting and asked that reasons be given for his dismissal, and that a fair hearing be accorded him. Ho stated th it Cr Andrews had wanted to get him dismissed for some time. The Council, in giving him notice of dismissal, had stated that he was too old for the work. Seeing that he had l only been three months in the employ of the Council, it appeared strange to him that the Council had not consii dered him too old in the hrst plaoe. , Cr Andrews stnted that he did not . consider Mr Moore was giving satisfao- . tion, and he had advised that his ser- . vices be dispensed with.

In the course of the breezy argument ensuing, the following passage oocurrred _ "You're a gentleman and I'm a liar! stated Mr Moore addressing Cr. Andrews. The Councillor retorted: *'You abb a liar, and I can prove it! That letter 'pointing to a letter of complaint written by Moore) is a lie, a whole concoction of lies!"

Mr Moore: " What you say is wrong. You are tho liar, and the statements I make will prove it. I have been slandered behind my back and I must defend myself!" Cr Andrews: " I have only done my duty as a Councillor, and so long as [ am on this body I shall continue to do so."

Mr Moore: " All right. You're a gentleman and I'm a gutter-snipe!" After some further "pleasantries," Mr Moore thanked the Council and prepared to withdraw. Cr Adlam moved that both Cr Andrews and Mr Moore leave the room while the Council considered the matter. Cr Stevens: Yes, that perhaps would be a good idea, only don't let them go out of the same door; or get into tho same room together. (Laughter).

The ad vice was accepted, the exits at either end of tlie Council Chamber being requisitioned. Mr H. Okcy was called in and asked his opinion. He stated that Moore seemed to him to be a good workman and did his work neatly. Moore was not responsible for the quality of metal used, Personally, although he had nothing against Moore, he did not think there was need for more than one foreman in the locality The Chairman stated that perhaps the Council had been rather hasty in dismissing Moore, without lirst hearing both sides of the case.

Cr Julian said he had taken particular notice of the road over which Moore worked, and it was in fair order. He did not think any man in the world could have the road in better order than it was with the means at his disposal.

Cr. Brown: We haveevidontly beon too hasty in disposing of the man's services, and if he has been treated unfairly he should bo given a fair hearin?.

Cr Adlam nwed that Mr Moore be reinstated for three months to give him a trial.

Cr: Stevens seconded, and the motion was carried.

Cr Adlam then gave notice to move that the resolution dispensing with Moore's services be rescinded.

When made acquainted with what had transpired while he was out of the room, Cr. Andrews stated that he would call a meeting of ratopayors at hi? ead of the district, and if that meeting upheld the Council's decision on the matter he would resign his seat as a Councillor. He considered he had been insulted.

The Chairman and soveral members considered that Cr Andrews was taking a wrong view of the matter, and hoped he would bo able to look at it in a very different light. The incident then closed.