THE NORTHLAND TUNNEL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19804, 1 June 1926, Page 10

THE NORTHLAND TUNNEL.

FINDINGS OF COMMISSION

KEEN CONTROVERSY AROUSED

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 31

The Northland tunnel report is causing considerable comment and controversy.

“1 am expressing ray own personal view,” said one member of the council, “when I say that the resolution as it stands, and presented as it was, and carried without comment, does not represent the considered opinion of the council. 1 go further, and say that had copies of the resolution been circulated amongst councillors, as it should have been, it would not have gone through in its present form. I contend that there ivas not the slightest justii.eation in rushing the resolution through in. that fashion. The seriousness of the whole business called for calmer deliberation on the part council before pronouncing judgment.” Another opinion was as follows: —“The findings disclosed a deplorable state of disorganisation in the department,” said Cr G. A. Troup, "and if an outcome be a commission of inquiry it should make a thorough investigation of the organisation and methods of the various city departments. Then 1 should be satisfied that something had been accomplished, but unless this is done the commission will have been so much waste of money. It is my intention to give notice of a motion' to see if something to this end cannot be accomplished.” Regarding the new city officers, the Mayor intimated that a special meeting of the Finance Committee would probably be called in a few days, and that then a meeting of the full council to make a final selection from the applicants as narrowed down by the Finance Committee would be held. Each councillor, of course, would be supplied with the full list of applications that he might have an opportunity of making such comment as he wished. It was not possible, said Mr Norwood, to consider reorganisation tilt the new officers were appointed. He mentioned that the council’s London agents had reduced a large number of English applicants to about 30, and had placed them m what they considered their “order of merit. Similarly, the Canadian applicants had been narrowed down by the London agents to five, but the Australian and New Zealand applications would be considered in full by the council. “1 may say, concluded Mr Norwood, “that we have some particularly good applications. No statement has been made so far as to the cost of the commission of inquiry first and last, but it is generally understood that the cost has been quite considerable—from £SOO to £6oo—said one councillor, and nothing much below tour figures said another.