GROCERIES SUPPLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 12

GROCERIES SUPPLY.

HOSPITAL BOARD CONTRACT.

ALLEGATION IN 1032 DISPROVED,

A reference to the alleged irregularities in connection with the supply of groceries under the Auckland Hospital Board's relief contract was made by Mr. E. 11. Potter, a candidate for the Mount Eden mayoralty, when speaking at St. Barnabas' Hall last evening. "The relief department is a big department, and is well managed, and every care i<j taken to see that the recipients of relief receive proper treatment," he said.

The allegations being made at present, said Mr. Potter, were similar to charges made in 1932, when the same grocery firm was carrying out the contract. On that occasion the charges had been th™ subject of a Departmental inquiry, and it had been shown that there was no reason at all for complaint.

The following extracts from the report of Mr. F. J. Fenton, who made the Departmental inquiry in June, 1932, were read by Mr. Potter: "My finding is that all the allegations but one made at the inquiry regarding the quality of articles are unfounded, and that the contractors are supplying the grades they contracted to supply. In accepting a certain brand of soap the board departed from the specifications, but it is almost invariably necessary to make some modification in large contracts of this size to meet the convenience of all parties. In my opinion the board has reason to be congratulated on the fact that my Investigation proved that the contractors are a firm of high integrity in their dealings both with the public and the board."

Mr. Potter also quoted the Minister of Health, Mr. Young, as saying that he concurred in the finding.