Second Edition LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 50, 23 October 1912, Page 6

Second Edition LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

FURTHER EVIDENCE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, October 23. The Public Accounts Committee resumed its inquiry to-day into the allocation of loaris to local bodies. Mr Corkwell, who was chairman of the Remuera Road Board in 1911, stated -that the Board applied for a loan of £85,000 in March or April last year, and tile loan was provisionally approved in May. No political influence was used in regard to the loan. Water and drainage systems were then absolutely necessary, and, but for the raising ,of 'the loan and the prosecution of works, there would in the opinion of the Health Officer have been loss of life in the district. He was a member of Sir John Findlay’s election committee. On one occasion he addressed the men while rain was pouring dovtn in torrents, and he was asked if lie would give them a holiday. He told the foreman to do what he liked, adding, “They are men, not dogs, and the best thing you can do is to give them a holiday.” He never suggested that Sir John Findlay would pay for the holiday and he had no authority from Sir John Findlay to say that he would pay. He understood the wages that day had been paid for by the Board. Sir Joseph Ward; When you addressed the men, did you advise them to support the then Government ? Witness said he considered it would be advisable, to have that Government in power, to get cheap money. , Replying to Mr Lee, witness said that in addressing the men he suggested that if the then Government went out, the Massey Government

would do away with the State Loans Act. Mr Lee: Do you think, that being so, that it would have influenced the election if some of this loan money was supplied shortly before the general election? Witness: No, it would have had no influence whatever. To Dr. Newman: I swear emphatically that no Ministerial influence was used in regard to this loan.