CITY AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 223, 20 September 1928, Page 18

CITY AFFAIRS.

ADMINISTRATIVE ALLEGATIONS

■FECIAL COMMITTEE MEETS

REPORTS TO BE FURNISHED.

It was a case of Hamlet without the ghost when a special committee of the Auckland City Council met yesterday afternoon to further discuss allegations in connection with the administration of the Auckland City Council, as Mr. W. H. Murray had finally decided to have nothing to do with the continuation of the inquiry. The chairman of the committee (Mr. •T. Dempsey) said that the investigation had been long drawn out, and there seemed to be no end of it. At previous sittings of the committee witnesses had given evidence in an irresponsible manner. The City Council had asked for a Government inquiry, but without result. A number of the allegations were against officers of tlie council, and it was necessary that the inquiry should proceed. It was imperative that a number of matters should be cleared up. It was necessary to sift the charges thoroughly in regard to the insinuations made. Mr. Murray had written stating that he would not attend the inquiry. The speaker took it. to mean that Mr. Murray had retired from the committee, and he moved that Mr. Murray's resignation should be accepted. By resolution the committee accepted Mr. Murray's resignation. Mr. E. «T. Phelan said that Mr. Murray, after having broadcasted the poison, proposed to retire. A Councillor: You can't compel him to come. The chairman said that it was proposed to ask the City Engineer to report on a number of the allegations. Mr. J. B. Paterson: Can we put them on oath? The Chairman: We have not the power. Mr. Phelan said that there had been allegations of a valuable wire rope left near Titirangi in all weather, and bitumen found at the bottom of the Grafton Gully. The chairman said that if there had been any slackness they wanted to find it out. They did not profess to be the acme of perfection. Mr. G. Davis said that he was surprised at Mr. Murray's attitude. In fairness to the people involved he should have assisted to sift things. It seemed to be a matter of advertisement for Mr. Murray. The Mayor said that they should tell Mr. Murray that the City Council was not satisfied with his attitude. Mr. Murray had stirred up a lot of dirt, and should help to clean it up. It seemed that Mr. Murray had looked for a way out after he had been egged on by others interested. A Member: There is no way to get at him. Mr. Paterson moved that the town clerk be authorised to obtain reports from all council officials and outside suppliers concerned, the same to be furnished on affidavit; further, that the Town Clerk have authority to summon any person concerned before the committee. "Too sweeping," said the chairman. Mr. Paterson: Ihe allegations were made, and surely the people concerned should dear themselves. Mr. Paterson amended his motion to apply to council officials only, and in that form it was carried.