A MISUNDERSTANDING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 256, 8 April 1915, Page 3

A MISUNDERSTANDING.

MOA ROAD BOARD MILMBLRS'

RUMAKKS.

C .UNTY CHAIRMAN TAKES KXCLPTION.

At the monthly meeting of the T-u-i----naki Comity Council* yesterday, Cr. Morton said Mr. M. Hopson, of the Moa Road Board, and an old member of the council, at a recent meeting of the Board, had made reference to the manner in which the business of tho council was carried on. He had stated that some of it was dealt with by the chairman and clerk and never came 'jv fore the council, declaring that the D.i.-i----ness was done in a "hole and corner'' manner. He thought these remarks were uncalled for, particularly from an old member of the council.

The Chairman said lie was very pleased that Or. Morton had brought this matler up. He had soon the newspaper report, of tho remarks, to which Or. Morton referred, and thought that it was a very nnmanly action on the part of Mr. Hopson to attaek their cleric ns he had done, as the clerk was given no opportunity to defend himself. It reflected vary little credit on Mr. Hopson, particularly as he had entered no protest during the •time that he had sat at the council table. He had also noticed the remarks of tvo other gentlemen who were members of the'council and of the hoard, who hii.l stated that they were watching the proceedings of the council for certain things. ' but which had never come before the council. The only thing he could imagine that these gentlemen were watching for was the matter of the merging if the Moa Road Board. This matter had not been referred to, as they could at present do nothing further in the matter. However, he wviild be pleased :l"j any member would point out any business that was transacted by the chapman and the clerk on which they reqior-, ed further information. They had everv paper dealing with the council's business before tliem, and it would be members' fault if they did not enquire regarding anything on which they required information. If they were dissatisfied with the manner in which he was carrying out his duties, they should say ="o. and he would be quite prepared to give up bis position. But be would like to say that if they dealt with every little matter that was at present dealt with by himself and the clerk they would require to bring their blankets to the monthly meetings, for they would certainly have to spend the night there, lie emphatically declared that the, cterk was in no way to blame; if there \vm any fault be would shoulder all t.'ie blame himself. The two gentlemen okviously referred to were Messrs Bridgi,man and Laurence, and it was in connection with the writ, issued in the. matter of the merging of the board that tli.iv no doubt spoke. Ho was, however, r.ure that they had not fie slightest hope i.f succeeding. If a. bedy of ratepayers wished to come into the county it wo,s the council's duty to assist them. Thine' was undoubtedly a scheme afoot to sever (he Moa Road district fro)n tho Taranaki County, and to form a new country. . II" was strongly opposed to this. They h:i.V alreadv too many small counties, and ps j he believed that the council were agr.:id I on this point there would no doubt be n j fight. Apparently the Road Board wish- i ed the council to place its cards on the 1 table. I

Cr. Bridgcwan said ho would like to make an explanation. At the last Roiil Board meeting some questions were asked as to how the matter of the merger was getting on. Members present remarked that as they had two members on the council there should he no dilficulty in discovering this. lie had replied that, although he watched the comuil business, he had seen nothing of it. Speaking, if he might, for Cr. Laurenee, 1 that gentleman had confirmed this remark. No reflection was passed on t.l;e clerk, chairman, or i-ouncil. With regard to the suggested new county, lie supported the idea. Cr. McAllum repudiated any suggestion of the council's, business not being carried on in a proper manner. The remarks of Mr. Hopson were uncalled for, but he did not thfnk that the ■other two gentlemen's remarks were antagonistic to the council, chairman, or clerk. Crs. Binnic, Hill, and J. Andrews agreed. The Chairman said he did not wish to take the remarks of Crs. Bridgeman and Laurence wrongly, and was very pleaded to apologise to them if he had done so. The matter then dropped.