STORM IN TEA CUP

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4321, 23 August 1950, Page 10

STORM IN TEA CUP

WAS THERE A MYSTERY? A NICE PIECE OF KAURI A COROMANDEL COUNCIL ADO Just what is this mysterious article and to what -use' is it to 'be put, and who authorised it to be iplaced on council property?” asked Cr T. V. Whittle at the August meeting of the Coromandel County Council. Just before the meeting closed Cr Whittle said he -had heard rumours about a certain happening in connection with the council and he had waited all day for the matter to be mentioned. However as no mention was made, he would ask about a certain article that was going to be acquired by the council and which had already been placed in one of the council’c sheds. The chairman, Cr E. Deeble, informed the meeting that the article in question was a kauri counter. There was no secret about it. Nothing had been mentioned about it owing to pressure of business that day -but as the question had -been brought up he

would deal with it. He had been approached by a man who had purchased a kauri counter and who wondered if the council was interested in the purchase of same for office furniture and named a price for the purchase. He, the chairman, and Cr F. H. Purdom had viewed the piece of furniture and were of* opinion it would be suitable for the library when the building was renovation. The clerk had also viewed the counter.

As the owner had no place to store it pending any decision being made, and it was, out in the open he suggested it be put in one of the council’s sheds for shelter »until something was decided.

The counter, continued the chairman, was brought in at the owner’s expense and was stored at his risk in one of the council’s sheds. The works committee was of opinion that the council'be recommended to ■buy the piece of furniture for use later on in the library. There, was nothing secret about the whole’proceedings, said the chairman, and there was no intention of purchase without the approval of the council, he concluded.

Or Whittip: “I submit there was no justification whatever for the works committee to allow the article to be brought on to council property. It implies tacit consent to purchase and I don’t like the way it was done.” The chairman: M lt was done openly anyway.” Cr Whittle: “I question that, because it could have been brought up today.” Other councillors asked for the matter to be deferred till next meeting when the article could be viewed and the matter settled. Cr A. J. Denize: “I agree that it is somewhat unorthodox, but it was done subject to the council’s approval.” It was resolved that the matter be included in the works committee’s report for next meeting.