COUNCILLORS WALK OUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1939, Page 2

COUNCILLORS WALK OUT

MEETING WITHOUT QUORUM. UPPER HUTT INCIDENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. A meeting of the Upper Hutt Borough Council came to an abrupt end last night when four councillors left the council room under protest, depriving the meeting of a quorum. It was the first meeting at which the recent-ly-elected mayor, Mr J. Blewman, had presided. The difference of opinion arose when the mayor introduced the question of the appointment of a representative on the Hutt Valley Electric Power Board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late mayor of Upper Hutt, Mr P. Robertson. He proposed that Cr H. Lancaster be appointed and was seconded by Cr A. W. Richardson. Previously the choice of a representative on the power board had been made by the electors, but, as the vacancy had to be filled within two months of its occurrence, the appointment would have to be made by the council, said the mayor. Ci- C. A. Rendle: I am going to move that the matter be deferred till the vacancy on the council is filled. If we proceed now the mayor might find himself in the unenviable position of having to give a casting vote. The byelection is to be held on July 12. After then the full council can consider the matter. Cr T. Clyma: I move that we go on. Cr Rendle: The matter is usually decided by the electors. Now it is the responsibility of the council and should be decided by the full council. I will not vote if the matter is gone on with tonight. I shall retire from the table while the vote is taken. Crs Rendle, Polson, Gray and W. Greig then rose from the table and left the room. Those remaining were the mayor and Crs Clyma. Richardson and Lancaster. Cr T. Clyma: We are left without a quorum. The mayor: As far as I myself am concerned I would not have the job unless elected by the electors. It is unfortunate that this should happen. I do not think it is any credit to the council for councillors to leave when the mayor is moving a motion. The meeting then adjourned for supper. No sign was seen of the four councillors who had left the room. After supper the mayor went to the door of the council building and looked up and down the street, but it was deserted. He and Crs Clyma, Richardson and Lancaster then returned to the council room. The meeting was thereupon adjourned.