COUNTY POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1938, Page 7

COUNTY POLICY

STATEMENTS CONCERNING CLERK CORRECTED MOTION OF APPRECIATION PASSED At the annual meeting of the Masterton County Council held on Wednesday last, Cr P. R. Welch brought up the question of certain statements concerning the County Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, which he desired to discuss with the council. Councillor Welch said he regretted the Press were not present as he desired full publicity to be gives to his remarks. During the last few years, but more especially just recently, observed Councillor Welch, he had heard the statements made and repeated by certain ratepayers and others that the council was run by the County Clerk. Councillor Welch said he had been on the Council for over seven years and on no occasion had the County Clerk ever attempted to dictate to the council what its policy should be. Very properly, when requested to do so, he had placed all relevant information in a most comprehensive manner before the council, but the council always made its own decisions. In Mr Mackley the council had a loyal and efficient officer and the statements referred to were entirely without foundation. Other councillors stated that they were glad that Councillor Welch had brought this matter forward for discussion and they were unanimous in their endorsement of Councillor Welch’s remarks and decided that full publicity should be given to the following resolution, which was moved by Councillor Welch, seconded by Councillor J. W. Colquhoun and carried unanimously:-— “That this council wishes to place on record its appreciation of the loyal and efficient service of its County Clerk, Mr J. C. D. Mackley, and to further record the fact that the statements that he dominated the policy of the council were entirely without foundation.”