A QUESTION OF ORDER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2674, 2 December 1909, Page 6

A QUESTION OF ORDER.

LIVELY DISCUSSION IN THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

When tho Borough Overseer’s report was presented to the Borough Council last night, Cir Collins drew attention to the fact that it contained a recom--men elation to the effect that as nietal would not be available from • Gentle Annie quarry for some time, the Council should take steps to procure a supply to carry them over the winter. “Why,” he asked, “has no Patutahi metal been obtained when it has been available for two months?” Continuing, Cr. Collins contended that some one had overruled the Overseer’s previous recommendation that stone should be obtained from Patutahi. This he held to he wrong, and showed a lack of proper administration. The Mayor: Nobody overruled the Overseer’s recomm-cv/idation. _ My recollection is that the Council decided to hold tho matter over in the meantime. Cr. Collins asked that the Overseer s report and the minutes of the proceedings be produced, challenging the statement that the Council had decided to hold the matter over. Continuing, he criticised the action of those responsible in not sooner obtaining supplies of Patutahi metal. The Mayor several times called Cr. Collins to order, and finally commanded him to sit down and keep silent. Cr. Collins: Very well, sir, I shall keep silent, but you must remember that what we want is facts, not your recollections. The Mayor': Does anyone else wish to speak. Cr. Clayton said that he- wished to submit that Councillors were perfectly entitled to obtain -any information such as was sought; by Cr. Collins. He in turn proceeded to severely criticise the action of the Council in not obtaining metal supplies sooner. The Mayor, having previously moved in connection with the report of the Overseer, that metal be obtained from Patutahi, held that in criticising the administration of the Council Cr. Clayton was not in order. “Kindly confine yourself to the; subject under discussion, Cr. Clayton,” ho said. Cr. Clayton: That is all right/sir. I know my rights, and my position as well as. you. After a few moments. Cr. Clayton was again called to order. Cr. Clayton: All right, sir. I know what I aril doing. I am perfectly entitled to say what I like, and I am going to do so.. My speech is not going to be burked, and I am not going to be bullied by you or anyone else, sir. The Mayor (heatedly): I shall ask Cr. Clayton to withdraw tho word “bullied.” Cr. Clayton: Well. I shall withdraw that word, sir, but I shall say that I object to your tactics, and I am not going to be dictated to by you. The Mayor: Order please, Cr. Clayton. - . Cr. ; Clayton; I am -going to speak, sir. You can rest (mite assured of that. At this. stage the Mayor requested the Clerk to take note of the fact that he had twice called- Cr. Clayton tot order, and that the latter would not obev his ruling, , ' „ , Cr. Kirk rose to apoint of order. He disapproved of such acrimonious discussions, and the introduction of the personal element. If that sort -of thing was going to continue he was not going to wait and hear it. It was time that th. r burgesses should exhibit sufficient interest ."to appoint representatives to come and see the conduct of Councillors, for themselves. Tho Mayor said that it was greatly to be deplored that Cr. Clayton'had so fir forgotten himself as to behave as he had dono. He (His Worship) could not stop him from speaking as long as he was to the point, but if Cr. Clayton disobeyed his ruling then he had a perfect right, and a constitutional right, to have Cr. Clayton brought before the Magistrate. Cr. Clayton: I invite you to do so. I know my rights. Continuing, the Mayor requested the assistance of the Council in stopping what he termed such regrettable conduct, where* the personal element was plainly to. be seen. Or. Clayton continued to speak, and on venturing to reply to the statements of the Mayor and Cr. Kirk was .again called to order by the Mayor. In reply he asserted emphatically that he had been wrongly called to order by His Worship, as his remarks ihad a distinct'bearing on' the motion. Continuing, he again referred to what he termed the mal-administration of the Council in connection with.the Patutahi j-netal questions He said, in conclusion, that .he had no personal motives ing what be had done. He intended to do all lie could to further the interests of tho ratepayers, and, in consequence, intended to express , himself, freely and openly, when such opportunities offered. ■- •