THE MAYOR’S CAR.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20454, 6 November 1934, Page 13

THE MAYOR’S CAR.

Allegation of Improper Use. HEATED COUNCIL DEBATE. There was a heated discussion at a meeting of the City Council last night on a proposal by Councillor A. E. Armstrong that a general public inquiry be held into the council’s administration. Councillor Armstrong’s motion was as follows: “That a general public inquiry be set up for the purpose 1 of deciding whether the ratepayers’ money is being spent in the most economical manner and to allow of any citizen to inquire into any detail of council administration.” After a discussion, which became heated at times, the motion was lost by eight votes to seven. The motion was seconded by Councillor E. 11. Andrews, who said he thought some kind of inquiry into possible economies would be a good thing. Specific Questions. There were certain questions that might well be the subject of inquiry, said Councillor T. Milliken. He claimed that the staff of the Works Department was too large and the question of reducing it could be the .subject of in- , vestigation. He also would like to know why the second lowest tender had been accepted for the supply of coal to the Municipal Electricity Department. It had been stated that the second lowest tenderer paid higher wages than the lowest tenderer, but it had been definitely proved that the lowest tenderer was paying equally as good if not higher wages. Therefore he suggested that there was another motive. “I would also like to know,” Councillor Milliken continued, “where the Mayoral car was on the day following the last council meeting.” Other matters Councillor Milliken said he would like to see investigated were the employment of relatives of members and the question of employees of the council being approached for contributions towards the Labour Party. They were matters he would like to see investigated, and if there was nothing in them so much the better. “Insinuations.” Councillor J. Mathison said that allegations, insinuations and innuendoes were not sufficient to justify the passing of the motion. In view of the fact that there was a municipal election next 3 r ear, he added, half of the criticism seemed to be of a definite political nature. (Labour “hear, hears.”) If specific charges of maladministration were made they would be fully investigated. He suggested that the allegations were made solely in an attempt to belittle the Labour Party. "Councillor Milliken descends to the lowest depths of shabbiness with his insinuations,” declared Councillor J. S. Barnett. Councillor Milliken: There is no insinuation against the Maj*or. “ A Privileged Class.” * Councillor G. T. Thurston said that Councillor Milliken had referred to the employees of the City Council as a privileged class, but they were no more privileged than they should be. Regarding the lowest tenderers for the supply of coal for the M.E.D., he de- ( dared that they were the greatest . enemies the working people of Christ- , church had got. It was quite incorrect, he said, to say that that firm paid the same wages as the second lowest tenderer. < The reference by Councillor Milliken , to the Mayor’s car was described by , Councillor Thurston as a shabby , afction. ] “ That I take as a dirty insinuation against myself,” said Councillor Thurs- • ton, referring to Councillor Milliken’s reference to the employment of rela- , tives of members of the council. , No Aspersion on the Mayor. Councillor W. Hayward, M.L.C., said that Councillor Milliken had not cast any aspersion on the Mayor. He explained that at the previous meeting of the council the conversion scheme was dealt with, and every vote counted. It was rumoured that Councillor Thurston wanted to be in Timaru the following day, and he was induced to stay in Christchurch because of the importance of his vote. On that occa- , sion it was arranged that a council car should take him to Timaru the next day. _ j “ There’s the rumour.” Councillor Hayward added. “It is that one of the council cars went to Timaru with Councillor T hurston.” Councillor Thurston: That’s perfectly correct; it was not the Mayor’s car. Councillor Haynvard: At whose expense ? Councillor Thurston: The councils expense. I insisted that if I was to be present at the council meeting I was to be taken to Timaru and back. Councillor Lyons said he thought an inquiry could be held to ascertain whether the council was doing its job as cheaply as it could do it. Councillor Thacker: Could you suggest a tribunal ? Councillor Lyons: I should say Professor Tocker and two public accountants. Party Feeling. Councillor F. T. Evans said that in the four years he had been a member of the council it was the first time he had seen such a display of party feeling. “It just shows the futility of having parties 'on the council, said Councillor Evans. Councillor Armstrong, in reply, refer red to the parties on the council as twe gangs of political fakirs.