FIXING BLAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 21, 26 January 1939, Page 24

FIXING BLAME.

NORTH SHORE WATER. COUNCILS IN DISPUTE. WHO IS ITTIMBUNG BLOCK? Caustic comment on the action of the Mayor of Takapuna. Mr. J. Guiniven. who, it was stated, had written to the Government that a commission of inquiry into the North Shore water supply would serve no purpose, was made at last night's meeting of the Devonport Borough Council by the Mayor, Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, and the deputy-Mayor. Mr. K. Aldridge. who declared that a conference of Xorth Shore boroughs had decided that a commission might straighten the matter out. "The statement made to his council by the Mayor of Takapuna that Devon|>ort was the stumbling block in getting a satisfactory augmentation of the water supply from the city is at variance with the facts of the matter. I object to Takapuna making a stalking horse of the Devonport Borough Council," said Mr. Aldridge. "It is Mr. Gulniven's fault that the last conference was not a success. He did not approach the problem with an open mind. I say he is not a fit person to preside at any conference —and certainly not at a conference on Xorth Shore water —because he approaches the matter with a biased mind from the >tart. We met him courteously, and for him to say that Devonport is the stumbling block is wholly inaccurate.

Mr. Guiniven himself was the real stumbling block, said Mr. Meikle. He had no right to write personally to the 4Government condemning a commission of inquiry after it had been decided to seek one. "I remember asking Mr. Guiniven if lie would abide by the decision of a commission if one was set up, and he told me to 'wait and see,' " Mr. Meikle continued. "What would be the good of a commission? If he did not get what he wanted, the Mayor of Takapuna would |>ay to it the same respect that he does to us." Mr. Meikle then suggested that other Xorth Shore boroughs, should ask the Government for a commission of inquiry. If the Mayor of Takapuna would not give evidence, that would be his own business. He likened Mr. Guiniven to a lawyer with a bad case —pll he did Was make a big noise. a Devonport had done everything in its power to bring about an amicable arrangement, but Takapuna had turned down its proposals. In addition, Devonport had spent far more money in its efforts. The question had not been answered and Devonport would have to look into it again in the near future. A resolution viewing with disapproval the hasty and ill-conceived action of the Mayor of Takapuna in vetoing the commission of inquiry decided upon at the conference was passed.