Works Corp. declines comment

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 3

Works Corp. declines comment

By

TOM METCALFE

The Works Corporation is refusing to comment on allegations that it took gravel from a Paparua County pit without permission.

The southern manager for the corporation’s Property Services Division, Mr Alex Cooke, said yesterday he had no comment to make about the allegations, made on Tuesday evening at a Paparua County Council committee meeting. The county engineer, Mr Allan Watson, told the meeting a corporation loader and trucks were seen working without authority in the council’s pit on Two Chain Road, near Rolleston, about six weeks ago. A stockpile of almost 2000 cu m of gravel was missing from the pit. The corporation admitted taking 160 cu m, he said.

When contacted after the meeting, Mr Cooke said the corporation had permission to take the gravel but he did not know who from.

He said he would contact the council yesterday to have them retract the allegations. But yesterday Mr Cooke said after speaking to the council he would not pursue the matter further. Mr Watson said last evening none of his staff had given permission for the corporation to take the gravel from the pit. The police inquiry into the missing gravel is continuing.