"RED TAPE" ALLEGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 193, 17 August 1942, Page 4

"RED TAPE" ALLEGED

WORK HELD UP POINT CHEVALIER TRAFFIC A curious situation, which was regarded as suggesting that someone in the Public Works Department is determined to keep to the tortuous lines of red tape at all costs, was to-day brought to the notice of the Auckland Transport Board, in connection with a much-needed improvement on the Point Chevalier tramway service.

A report from the board's engineermanager stated that, to relieve the congestion developing at Hall Corner, Point Chevalier, plans had been prepared to construct a short siding.

As second-hand materials would be used it was anticipated that no special Order-in-Council would be required, but the work would be authorised under an existing order which provides for deviations or alterations.

When, however, this formal approval was sought it was not forthcoming, and instead the Public Works Department had advised that they had referred the matter to the Solicitor-General for his opinion.

The Minister of Justice, Mr. Mason, was next communicated with, and asked if he would ascertain whether the Solicitor-General felt it necessary to insist, in the circumstances, on a new Order-in-Council.

From the Minister's reply it was apparent that he personally did not consider a new order necessary. In spite of this the Public Works Department had later advised that a new order would be required. In the meantime the conditions of congestion at the corner in question had become steadily worse, but the work required to relieve the situation is still held up awaiting the necessary Order-in-Council.

The chairman, Mr. J. Sayegh, said the secretary was to-day leaving for Wellington, where he would endeavour to expedite the formalities with the appropriate authorities.