COUNCIL & AUDITOR-GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 128, 27 November 1923, Page 8

COUNCIL & AUDITOR-GENERAL

WHAT IS A REASONABLE CHARGE?

The question of the issue of concession xramway pas 3 es to various women's organisations engaged in social welfare work in the city was again discussed by councillors yesterday afternoon, when a strong deputation waited upon the Tramways Committee to urge that the concessions given in the past should not be withdrawn. In reply to the several speakers the Mayor, Mr.. R. A Wright, said that ne did not for a. moment suggest that the societies did not do good and valuable n, \i the whole question was whether the council was justified in continuing the issue of concession passes, with a probability of having to add to the present list of 24, in view of the fact that no authority was ' given the council in that regard by the Act, except as to the Plunket and district nurses, for whom provision was made. a ?u Dnl or G- Mitchell stated that the Auditor-General had informed him that no objection would be taken to the issue of concession tickets, provided a fair price was paid by the societies concerned for them.

Members of the deputation stated that tl cV !, lose the concession altogether they would agree to increase their payments. The rate at present charged; continued Mr. Wright, was £5, and was that a reasonable sum for a pass? The Tramways Department had been unwilling to issue passes for that amount and in the past the council had had to supplement the societies' payments with another £5. Did the Auditor-General think that £5 was a fair price? The representations made would be carefully considered and full inquiries would be made, and in due course the council s decision would be made known