OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 3

OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM

. THE HUTT ROAD. At yesterday's meeting of the Makara County Council the chairman (Mr. F. T. Moore) moved: —"That whereas all efforts on tho part, of this county and adjoining local bodies to obtain information regarding the cost of widening the Hutt lload have failed, Mr. Herdman, M.P., be asked to move in Parliament for a return showing tho total expenditure on this work at March 31, 1910, the proportion of such outlay that each local body affected shall bear, with the full details ( of all contracts for the supply of spawls and broken metal; the amount of compensation paid each laud owner for spoils and metal, and tho cost per yard of handling, the various materials... used in this undertaking." •_ ' • ; Speaking to his motion, Mr. Moore said tho work had also been utilised in enabling football teams to supplement their ranks. -It had been held out as an inducement to players: "There's a job for yoir on tho Hutt road." It was a "feather :, bed" they were told, but could not verify it, that spawls and metal were being obtained at a ridiculously high price, and that tenders 20 per cent, below ruling rates were being refused. He had decided that tho only way to. get information was to get a member of Parliament, who was not a Government "siippbr.teiv'to move in the House for a return snowing details "of all that had been done.

Councillor Haggerty said he could not support the motion'. Eight local bodies were concerned,'' and Makara Count}was least alfccted of all.

■ The chairman' said th.it possibly Mr. Iteidman might ! not. get-this information. but then the" public could judge. In his (the chairman's) opinion, the. Government were shielding their officers in the matter. The latter if dealt with could retaliate. They had been , asked to find .labour under such conditions that the Government dared not find fault.. The motion was agreed to.