MUNICIPAL "PICKINGS."

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12764, 4 February 1910, Page 3

MUNICIPAL "PICKINGS."

A LAW THAT IS EVADED. [United VRESh Association, j Napier, Feb 3. What is known as the "pickings" question in connection with the Napier Borough Council continues to be much discussed. One feature of the matter discussed at last night's meeting cf the council is that some councillors who- have supplied goods to the Council have apparently received payment by cheques drawn in favour of persons in their employ. Both local papers comment on this, and one says it indicates that the councillors m question knew they were breaking ihe law, and the' point is raised whether . more councillors should: not follow the > examplo of one who has already resigned;

A Napier correspondent of the ' 'New Zealand Times" states: "As things begin to come out it seems that it '"s not only in Napier, that the gospel < f ''municipal pickings" is firmly .believed in. I have* recently heard of several instances in other boroughs, and one of them is worthy of mention. In 1908 a municipality's printing, contract was let to a Napier firm. The council apparently looking upon the contract as not concerning it, gave various orders for printing to a councillor, and this councillor rendered the account in his son's name. Not bad, is it? In another instance the council had to hire some vehicles. It hired them from a councillor. When the bill came in it was found that the person claiming-for the hire of the. vehicles was an employee of the councillor in question. Coming back to Napier : Investigation has shown that councillors have employees as useful as those referred to above. One begins to wonder how many, if any, municipal items could stand the light of day upon this question of disregarding contracts apd of the practice of obtaining supplies from the employees of councillors."