Notice of motion to call in Audit Office

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 18

Notice of motion to call in Audit Office

The Christchurch Drainage Board was asked last evening by one of its new members, Mr G. Lowrie, to ask the Audit Office to investigate whether Mr J. Ryan and other members of the board had a pecuniary interest, as defined in the Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act and its 1971 amendment, in a clause on the eastern suburbs development scheme of the works committee report in December.

“It is a most unusual notice of motion,” the chairman (Mr M. R. Carter) said. There was some doubt about the board’s position, and a legal opinion had been sought. Mr M. J. Home, the secretary, said the solicitors’ opinion was that Mr Lowrie in seeking a decision from the board to proceed with his notice of motion might be asking it to decide an issue. The act was silent on who should initiate a complaint.

Mr Carter asked Mr Lowrie if he would withdraw his notice of motion. If there had been a breach of the act, it was the duty of the person who felt there had been such a breach to report it to the Audit Office, he said. Mr Lowrie said the act was so vague that he thought it was more in the public interest that he should raise the matter at the board. However, if it was the wish of the board that he should act privately, then he would bow to the board’s decision. Mr Lowrie’s notice of motion asked that the Audit Office be advised that when the works committee report was considered, Mr Ryan and Mr G. Ogilvie did not abstain from discussion or voting on the clause, and that Mr Ryan remained silent when a member asked if any other member had a pecuniary interest in the clause.

His motion further drew the Audit Office’s attention to: “Mr Ryan did not abstain from discussion or voting on the subject during the works committee meeting held on December 9, 1971.” On a call by the chairman for general business, Mr W. Massey said he had noted eight abstentions from voting last evening. “I am beginning to wonder if members have the interest of the board at heart or the business of their companies at heart," he said.