FREE TRANSPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 58, 10 March 1933, Page 8

FREE TRANSPORT.

COUNCIIXORS' PRIVILEGE,

ONLY ONE DISSENTIENT,

Immediate advantage is to be taken by the Auckland City Council of the recent legislation designed to provide councillors with tramway passes at the expense of the ratepayers. Under section 7 of the Auckland City Empowering Act, 1932-33, the council is authorised from time to time to purchase and pay for passes or tickets entitling the Mayor and councillors of Auckland to travel free on trams operated by the Auckland Transport Board, and on any bus service running between the city and any suburb where the Mayor or councillors reside, provided that in any year the council does not expend more than £10 in respect to any one individual. The Mayor moved that the question of providing passes he left to the incoming council. This raised a storm of protest. "The privilege is long overdue," said Mr. M. J. Coyle. Ho moved a san amendment that advantage be taken of the legislation at once. Mr. J. B. Paterson seconded. Miss Melville said the granting of passes would be some recognition of the work councillors had to perform in the interest of the people. Many people were of the opinion that councillors were paid for their services. The Mayor: I presume that passes will be paid for only in the case of those who apply for them? (Laughter). Mr. Coyle: I think they will all apply. The Mayor's motion was lost and the amendment carried. Mr. Coakley being the only dissentient.

"Sorry, Councillor Coakley," remarked the Mayor, amidst laughter.