ON WHOSE AUTHORITY?

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7471, 12 August 1920, Page 2

ON WHOSE AUTHORITY?

Just What CV Asfcton Thought

At last night's meeting of the Borough Council Cr Ashton asked who had authorised the formation work in Grace Street from Cr Tanner's house up to the house now occupied by Mr Whitlock. He was quite sure the matter had not been before. the Council. Councillors were continually; talking about not having money for various works, and yet here was unauthorised work being carried out.

Cr Wrigley—"l want to know too, why it has been done. 1 think it is due to the Works Committee and the Engineer to have a full/ explanation." Mr Mandeno —"The work was done under the instruction of the Chairman of the Works Committee." Cr Ashton—"There you are! I thought ihat would be it. Just what I thaught" Mr Mandeno—"Personally I ' think the work quite justified. It is a dangerous gully although not greatly used". Cr Castaing —"What is the cost of the work, roughly ?" Mr Mandeno—"About a week's work for three men and two hors-., es."

Cr Ashton.— This work is done on the instructions of the Chairman of the Works Committee. What authority has.he to do]that? Hardly a dray or a .gig went there in twelve months. Cr Wrigley—Not in five years, r Cr Ashton—Cr Tanner gets this work «done. What earthly reason there was for it beats me. " The road leads to nowhere and is •. absolutely useless. Cr Wrigley moved that Cr Tanner be asked to give the ' Council a full explanation as to his reason for authorising the ' formation of Grace Street in the vicinity of his property. The road . served no useful purpose. The only house there was Cr Tanner's. Tt was simply a waste of money-' Cr Ashton—lts too pointed for words.

Cr Roberts seconded the motion.. People in other parts were wading through mud to and from their homes, and there was no necessity to spend a copper on that little gully.' .. The Mayor said he quite agreed that before work was done it should come before the Council* Cr Wrigley, replying, said that the authority of the Chairman of the Works Commit tee should be cleaily denned. It seemed to him that Cr Tanner had acted . altogether in the wrong. He regretted very much that'he (Cf Tanner) was not present. IHhe - Council had any backbone »". would refuse to pay for the work The motion was carried.