CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 251, 23 October 1928, Page 3

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

MR. MURRAY'S CHARGES, ALLEGED , WASTE AlfD EXTRAVAGANCE. COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION. PLETHORA OF REPORTS. A special committee set up by the Auckland City Council to investigate allegations of waste and extravagance by Mr. W. H. Murray, a member of the council, held another meeting this morning, when twenty-three separate reports from council officials, many of a voluminous nature, were presented. The • chairman of the committee (Air. J. Dempsey) said that they now had data to go on. They wanted the inquiry expedited, but there was no desire to stifle investigation. If necessary witnesses could be called and examined. He invited an opinion whether they should deal with the matter in sections, or adjourn. There was a report from the purchasing office in regard to the purchase of kerbs and pitchers, also one from the city engineer. It was for the committee to decide how to deal with it. Mr. F. J. Phelan asked if the Press representatives had copies of the reports. The chairman said that the Press would be asked not to deal with any report until it had been before the committee. Mr. W. Casey said that the members of the committee would want copies of the evidence already taken. The Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon) said that it would be necessary for the members to carefully peruse the reports. Mr. Dempsey: They could not possibly be dealt with at one sitting. The Mayor said that there was one report on the alleged loss of 45 tons of cement, and the information that. a claim had been paid by an insurance company. Mr. Phelan said that he wanted to see the inquiry finished as it had been hanging lire. The chairman said that if any more information was wanted witnesses could be called. Mr. G. Davis said that the committee could deal on kerbs and pitchers. The chairman said that the matter had been dealt with before, and there was nothing new about it. Like a Story-book. The Mayor (delving into the reports): Like a story-book, isn't it? A councillor (similarly engaged): Yes! The City Engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush) said, in the course of a prepared statement, that lie had been asked to report on the following matters: (1) The method of computing the quantity of kerbs and pitchers required; (2) why orders were placed outside the original contractors; (3) why Williamson (an original contractor) was repeatedly refused, orders while orders were placed | outside; (4) the response to the council's I request for quotations; (5) was there any difficulty in obtaining supplies when prices dropped. Mr. Bush, after explaining the method of computing quantities, said that delay was experienced in obtaining supplies, and it was arranged for an officer to visit quarries and arrange for kerbs and pitchers to be carted to streets requiring supplied. The purchasing officer approved of kerbs being bought wherever possible. There was no definite evidence that Williamson had repeatedly been refused orders, and it was not correct that a man named Stewart was given orders in place c* Williamson. In February, 1925, eight firms offered to supply materia], and two quoted prices, but did not specify any guaranteed quantity. It was found that some of the firms had overstated what they could sujfply. Keen Competition: Reduced Prices. In consequence of short supplies the council had to seek elsewhere. In 1926 there was an increased supply, and keen competition resulted iu a reduction of prices. A report by the stores purchasing officer (Mr. C. M. Black) stated that quotations were received from all persons | able to supp'y kerbs and pitchers. It was found necessary to obtain all the material offering, and a flat rate was agreed upon. He had received no complaints from suppliers regarding uncompleted orders until August of 1927. Cheap Dalmatian Labour. A contributing factor to the drop in price was an influx of cheap Dalmatian labour into the trade. Outside Supplies. ■ | Mr. Phelan said that the weakness was that the contracts should have been completed before outside orders were given. That action should have been taken before instructions were issued by the i committee. If contracts were not com- : pleted, they should have been cancelled , in a businesslike way. Several of the ineml>ers questioned if J there had ever been a proper contract of I supplies. ] "A Moral Obligation." The chairman described it as a moral ' obligation to supply the council. ; I Sir. Phelan: Then it shows the necessity of having proper legal contracts. r The chairman (reflectively): If we could penetrate the future— The Mayor said the kerb cutters were not business men. but they would enter into an agreement for what they could » turn out. Sir. Dona!d said that there had been a bit of a "mess up," but the position was all right. The chairman said that the suppliers • would have soon "sung out" if they were j hurt. "Nothing Serious Happened." The Mayor said that nothing serious • had happened, although a great deal of fuss had been inade. It was agreed that the chairman should draft a report in reply, the members of ~ the committee to have an opportunity to . discuss it. ' Stone Jug Quarry. Explaining why the Stone Jug quarry ' had been abandoned, and reporting on | the state of the machinery there, the - engineer said that the quarry could not 1 compare with the one at Mount Eden. J The present plant was of little value and - the boiler had been condemned by the • inspector of machinery. The next report from the City Engineer related to soil alleged to have been , removed in carts from Leighton's job, and explaining why it had been done. The ' explanation was that the soil was ; required for laying out a city reserve at Harbour View Road. The committee agreed that the expla- [ nation was a satisfactory one.

Reporting on the quality of sand used at the Nihotupu dam, the City Engineer said that it was of the best quality. He [added that a wire rope which had been stowed near Murray Creek was in good ! condition, and had been transferred for nse at Hnia.

In connection with a complaint made that some barrels of bitumen had been found in the bed of the Grafton Gully, beneath the bridge, the engineer said that 18 casks, some full and some partly full, had been rolled down there by mischievous youths. It was known that the casks were in the gully, and instructions had been given for them to be recovered at a favourable opportunity. Mr. Phelan: It is a pity that they were not removed before public attention was drawn to the matter.

A report was presented by Mr. J. Donald, a member of the council, in regard to purchases of material made by him front the City Council. He said the whole of the material was carted in his own :lorry, and he held official receipts. Additional re|x>rts were submitted by Mr. Bush relating to the method of checking materials delivered by contractors, metal waste, alleged to have been bought by the firm of Morgan and Docherty from the Tramways Department, and the condition of an engine used at the waterworks.

The committee decided to make a tour of inspection to-morrow and to renew the inquiry to-morrow afternoon.