INSPECTION OF FILES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 7

INSPECTION OF FILES.

CITY COUNCIL CONTRACTS.

RIGHTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGE. Considerable discussion took place at a meeting of the Auckland City Council on Thursday evening regarding the agreement between Auckland Speedways, Ltd., and the corporation in connection with Western Springs Stadium. Mr. J. R. Lundon r.jked the town clerk to supply him with particulars or the takings of Speedways, Ltd.. r.nd details regarding a sum of fIC'S which the council considered vas still owing. He also asked for figures, in detail, showing the total cost of the stadium to date, and particulars of the method of checking the number of persons attending each race meeting. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon. said Mr. Luudon had had an opportunity to peruse the file. If detailed information such as this was to be supplied the council would require a special staff. He moved that the information be not supplied. This was seconded by Mr. J. B. Pater son. Mr. Lundon said three-quarters of the capital of Speedways, Ltd., came from outside" of Auckland. Mr. Bloodworth moved that the information should be supplied to the whole of the council in time for next meeting. He did not approve of anything that ought to be known being kept secret. Mr. E. J. Phelan said each case should be treated on its merits. In view of the fact that Mr.- Lundon had, on his own admi : !on, had two days in which to insp.-jt the file, it was difficult to understand why he needed more detailed information. It was well known that the bulk of the work in connection with Western Springs Stadium had been done under the council's scheme for the relief of unemployment. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, said he agreed the councillors should be granted the right of perusal of the file on vital matters, but it had been laid down that no councillor had a right, more than that of the ordinary ratepayer, to peruse certain documents save by the express resolution of the council. Mr. Grey Campbell agreed. The council, he said, should he very careful about supplying information concerning parties that had contracts with it. Mr. Bloodworth's amendment was carried by 12 votes to six. At a later stage Mr. Lundon complained that he had been refused permission to peruse the council's files dealing with workers' dwellings. The town clerk said the decision was in accordance with the opinion of the city solicitor. Apart from the statutory right ,of inspection of minutes and accounts, it was a matter for the council to decide whether, and under what circumstances, correspondence or documents should be inspected. A motion by Mr. Lundon that the ruling should be referred to the legal and by-laws committee for a report was defeated.