CIVIC INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21101, 8 February 1932, Page 10

CIVIC INQUIRY.

WITNESSES IN WELLINGTON. POSITION OF TOWN CLERK. It was stated by Mr. It. Semple at a meeting of the Wellington City Council Inst week that there was a feeling among some of the employees against giving evidence before the Civic Inquiry Commission because of (he presence of the (own clerk. It had been said that h good deal of valuable evidence would be given if the town clerk were not present. There was <i fear among some prospective witnesses that if they gave certain evidence they would be " earmarked for destruction." llis view was (hat the commission should bo quite free and unfettered. The Mayor said that the town clerk had never intimated a desire to bo associated with the commission. lfo had spoken to the commissioners about the matter, and (hey had said that the town clerk was of valuo to them. They had ruled that ho was not to be in the room when any employee was giving evidence, although actually when thp report was printed all the evidence and the names would be there. , The Mayor gave an assurance th.it there was no reason to fear anything in the way of victimisation. Air. It. McKppd said there was a strong feeling that the town clerk should not have anything to do with the commission. " In some quarters it is understood that the town clerk is a member of the commission," said Air. W. A. Appleton " It should be made quite clear that such is in it the case—that he is merely the secretary."