COUNCILLOR'S QUEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20081, 19 October 1928, Page 17

COUNCILLOR'S QUEST.

"OUTSIDE INFORMATION." LETTER FROM SOLICITOR. PLANT BOUGHT FOR TRAMWAYS. Tfio method employed by Mr. W. Murray, a iitomber of the City Council, in seeking "outside" information conerning the purchase by tlio tramways department of a car-spraying plant was questioned in a letter received by the City Council from Mr. J. Kidman, solicitor, last evening. Mr. Kalinin said ho represented the vendor in the matter, but Mr. Murray did not state how lie had ascertained that fact. Mr. Kahnan understood particulars of tho transaction were required by Mr. Murray and Mr. .T. It. Lundon, but he was not prepared to divulge details without the consent of tho council, as ho thought Mr Murray should apply direct to it for information. Asked byutlio Mayor to explain, Mr. Murray said "it was nothing much." Ho had casually met Mr. Kalman one day and asked him whether certain plant had lieen sold to the tramways department. The conversation lasted only about a minute. He could not comprehend a letter being written about, it, or Mr. Kalman saying ho "understood" the information was required for himself and Mr. Lundon. Tho Mayor: Well, what information do you seek ? Mr. Murray said it was nothing except that ho had asked about the salo of tho plant. He then reiterated his complaint that City Council avenues of information were made difficult for him, and he affirmed his right to gain reliable "outside" ilnformation where ho could. Mr. J. A. C. Alluin, chairman of tho Iramwavs Committee said tho depart* merit, taking advantage of the unfortunate position of a company, made a "sporting" offer of £IOO for certain plant worth £250 It was a bargain, but it pleased both parties, and tho apparatus had proved efficient. He did not know whether Mr. Murray had said he was "weary" or "wary" ot approaching tho Iramwavs Committee. "I am certainly weary of him," said Mr. Alluin, "but perhaps he is becoming wary." Mr. Murray had the "inside" information available tc him if he desired it. Mr. Murray recalled an occasion when he had been censured by Mr. Allum for not securing his permission, or that of tho tiamuays manager, to visit the Epsom depot "I lake umbrage at having to seek the consent of the chairman of any committee ii( 1 want to inspect the zoo or any othor council property," lie said. ''lt is the care of all councillors—not merely chairmen."

It was slated hv Mr. Allum that Mr. Murray had contravened certain understood procedure when he visited Epsom. 'I he discussion was closed with the passing of a motion moved bv (lie Mayor that, as tho Tramways Committee offered all information to Mr. Murray, the writer of the letter need take no further action.