THE LATE MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mr Hughes in Explanation.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2212, 11 September 1886, Page 3

THE LA TE MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mr Hughes in Explanation.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,— T would not trouble your patience or that of your reader* with this letter, but I a,m so frequently asked what nil the trouble was about at the late meeting of the Borough Council, that I request your insertion of the following plain statement of the cause of the indignation felt and displayed by Mr Gillett and myself, so that the public and the ratepayers may judge for themselves whether we had not reason for the course pursued by us. It has for some time been well-known in the town that Councillors Houghton and Hewitt (supported by Mr T. Wells, on the strict "Q.T.") were determined to stick to office if possible for another year, while Cr. Gillett and myself were in favour of having a general election, because as the council would be constituted Mr Houghton and Mr Hewitt could carry any business, in fact, would ha\e complete power, and to all intent would be the council. On Monday last, Mr Honghton went to Mr J. P. Thomson, Town Clerk, and asked him to arrange that the meeting fixed at last sitting of the town board for Tuesday, 7th instant, should be held that day, Monday, or on Tuesday morning as he wanted to be in Auckland on Wednesday. Mr Thomson replied that he could not do this, as there was no time to notify Mr Asher who was expected from Auckland. This move to exclude Mr Ashers vote having failed, a circular letter, which ln<s appealed in your columns, was ecnt to Mr Gillett and myself at twenty minutes to six o'clock on Monday evening, notifying that the meeting must stand adjourned for a week, as Messrs Houghton and Hewitt would be unable to be present. By a singular coincidence the same after noon that this letter was sent to us Mr J. L. Soutter, of the firm of Wells and Soutter, applied to have Mr Ashers name struck off the roll and his own substituted, he having purchased Mr Ashers property. Councillor (rillett and myself, however, were not to be fooled so easily. With Mr Asher we should form a quorum at Tuesday's meeting, and, however we might regret the unavoidable absence of Messrs Houghton and Hewitt, would endeavour to get through the business without them. These gentlemen, however, to our great astonishment, by some jneans managed to attend, and Mr Houghfcon directly the minutes were read, took as the first business Mr Soutter's letter (although only dated the day previous), proposing almost in the aan.e breath that Mr Soutter's request be granted. As to Mr Ashers right to sit, I believe there can be no legal or moral doubt. Legally no alteration can be made in the roll in such a summary manner, and morally sßP&fcing, Mr Asher is to be considered not as an individual, but as the representative of the ratepayers who elected him, and had the biglj-hftnded action of the late chairman foeen suffered to pass unchallenged, these would have been practically uniepresenteJ. I cannot close thia letter without pointing out to the ratepayers the part taken by Mr T Wells in this business, he being the cniet cause of the underhand attempt to carry "tapet plan of his at all hazard*, and thus causing the very unpleasant ; (to all parties concerned) meeting on Tuesday Fast. As lam not seeking re-election, the ratepayers may see I do not write this fitter to gain any advantage, but simp y to W*i V -the rtancf Mr Gillett and I took up ;^&da y last.-I am, y^ir, obedieritjy, /ftmifaridge, 10th September, 1886.

tion for councillors.