THE MAYORAL REPORT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3198, 20 April 1911, Page 5

THE MAYORAL REPORT.

RECEIVED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. COUNCIL OR RATEPAYERS—WHO IS IT FOR? \ At a stage in the proceedings of the meeting of the Borough Council last night, the Town Clerk commenced to read the annual report 'by his Worship the Mayor, which is published in full in another part of this issue. Cr. Darton suggested that the report should be taken as read before discussion. Cr. Clayton entered a strong protest against the report—as indeed all Council reports were—being brought down at the eleventh hour. It was evident he said, that the Mayor, by adapting such tactics, thought to get his report published in the press, uncontradicted. Cr. Sheridan: That is so; at the expense of the borough. , Cr. Collins said that it was clear that either of two courses would have to be followed. The report' would have to be debated, as it was full of erroneous statements, and either the Mayor must move its adoption—and so open the debate —or he (Cr. Collins) would move that the report be not received. This he would be sorry, to do, as it would be a direct, insult to the-Mayor.. It was their duty, for the sake of their past administration as a Council, and ror. the sake of the new Council, that the report should be discussed.; ‘as many of the statements in it had to be contradicted'. He would ask the Major; therefore, to move the adoption of:the report. _ ’ Cr. Pettie said that what should be done was what was done in former years --simply receive the report and thank his Worship for it. After all, he said, it was only the opinion of the Mayor, and had nothing whatever to do with the Council, and all they as a Council needed to do was to thank the Mayor for the trouble he had gone to; receive the report, and let it lie' on the table. He moved that the report be received and lie on the table. Cr. Darton seconded the motion, but said that he would, very much like to know whom the ..report was for—the Council or the ratepayers. He proceeded to refer to portion of the report in which, he contended, the Mayor was at one place addressing the Council and at another the ratepayers. The motion that the report be received and: lie on the table was eventually carried, the report not being read.