COUNCIL SEAT LOST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23017, 20 April 1938, Page 12

COUNCIL SEAT LOST

MEMBER NOW INELIGIBLE ACCEPTANCE OF COMMISSION PURCHASE OF LAND IN PAEROA [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] PAEROA, Tuesday An announcement that he had been advised by the Auditor-General that ho had rendered himself ineligible to hold office as a councillor was ifiado by the deputy-mayor Mr E Ed wards at the final meeting of tin* Paeroa Borough Council. The reason gmut. according to Mr. Edwards, was that ho had accepted a deposit of £lO from the borough on account of the purchase of an area of land from an estate iror which he had acted as agent. Mr. Edwards explained that ho had been requested by the council to procure an area of over four acres of land and a section for a recreation reserve. The Government valuation of the land was £220, and he had arranged for the purchase at £l5O. This figure was agreed to by the Finance Committee, and he had effected the sale, receiving a commission of £3 los. The AuditorGeneral contended that he was "concerned or interested" in a transaction exceeding the value of £lO and had rendered him ineligible to sit on the council.

The Mayor, Mr. W. Marshall, stated that the borough knew everything that transpired in connection with the purchase of the land, and that Mr. Edwards had given good service in securing the site at the low price. Mr. Edwards had fpr 18 yearq given excellent service to the borough, and never at any time had received a penny of pnyment.

The following resolution was adopted by the council: "That in the knowledge that at the most only a technical breach has been committed, wt» express our confidence in the integrity of Mr. Edwards and our sincere regret at the unfortunate position in which he has been placed." Mr. Edwards stated that he intended to seek election as a councillor again and would bo a candidate at the coming election.