Spencer Park Canteen

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 7

Spencer Park Canteen

Sir,—Late last year it was reported that the Waimairi County Council proposed building a combined residence and canteen at Spencer Park. Tenders were called for the tenancy of the proposed site and the right to run a canteen business. Mr A. A. Adcock, the sitting member of the Styx riding on the council, was reported to be the successful tenderer at a rental exceeding £5 a week. While I have no wish to question Cr. Adock’s right to accept the canteen rights, at what ratepayers will consider an exorbitant rental, I do question the award of the privilege to a sitting member of the council in competition with outside tenders. Does the acceptance of Cr. Adcock's tender not constitute a breach of the Municipal Corporations Act or does Cr. Adcock intend resigning from the Waimairi County Council prior to commencing his contract. Many ratepayers are inter-

rated in this position and a public statement would be welcomed from the chairman of the Waimairi County Council—Yours, etc.

W AIMAIM.

January 20, 1963.

[The chairman of the Waimari County Council (Cr. J. 1 Colligan) said: “The council at its September meeting, publicly opened all sealed tenders received for the combined shop and dwelling at Spencer Park. <X the eight tenders received, Cr. A. Adcock’s was the highest by a substantial amount and the council had no hesitation in accepting it. Cr. Adcock did not take any part in the discussion and abstained from voting. The Local Authorities (members contracts) Act, 1954, defined the extent to which the council can enter into a contract with a council member. There has been no breach of this act and as chairman of the meeting I would have rejected the motion accepting Cr. Adcock’s tender if there had been the slightest doubt as to its legality.”]