TRAMWAYS ADMINISTRATION.

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 14

TRAMWAYS ADMINISTRATION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Your report of the committee meeting of the Dunedinkßatepayers’ Association throws light on a practice adopted by officials of the tramways department which calls for the fullest inquiry and searching investigation by the council, and the public should he acquainted with all the facts pertaining to the case under question. _ It is quite apparent that tyres are discarded by the department when in quite a sound condition, and as these are the property of the citizens it behoves the City Council to be quite sure that the ratepayers' are getting full value for their money. To think of rival passenger buses, not mere motor ears-, getting 5,000 and 6,000 miles out of discarded “citizens’” tyres creates one of two suggestions. ' Either the “expert ” who decides the fate of the tyres is not too well qualified, or the action of the official who sells the tyres requires the most searching investigation by the council; and it is to be anxiously hoped —nay, requested—that this inquiry will take place without any delay, and that the council will place its cards on the table for the ratepayers to make their judgment. I would suggest that the chairman of the tramways department advise your readers as to: (1) When and hy whom were the tyres sold? (21 On whose authority were they sold? (.'!) Do the department’s ledgers record the transaction? (4) What became of the last set of tyres taken from the Nash car? Who got them? From whom?. For what price? (5) What is the council’s attitude on these matters ?

An allegation of mismanagement of its tramway department is laid at the door of the council by your report of Wednesday evening, and a searching inquiry is imperative. Whilst on this matter, would the City Council declare its policy on the uses of its departmental cars, and how it compares with the fact that certain of these have invariably been seen on Sundays within and sometimes well beyond the city boundaries with passengers (women and children) who are not employees of the Dunedin City Corporation? The cars in question, I believe, are the only cars of the council's fleet which bear no indication of being municipal property, and I submit that the city coat of arms which adorns the tramcars should he boldly engraved or transferred to these motor cars to prevent their misuse. Some time ago the town clerk of Dunedin, in criticising the noble efforts of the poor unfortunates who had to seek a living on the unemployment relief works stated that the City Council did nob receive value for the money expended. His statements were criticised by a correspondent, under the pen of “Aotcaroa,” who challenged him to prove that the council was getting value for the money expended on its higher-salaried officials. Surely now the time is at hand for an immediate investigation, even to the extent of having to deal with its officials. The members, or rather some of the menu hers, of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Assn ciation arc to be commended for their courage in ventilating pernicious practices, and it is to be hoped that their efforts to promote civic welfare will meet with paramount success. A great deal more could lie said, and I would suggest that any inquiry should include a representative of the workers, who should he guaranteed against vie timisation, and a representative of the Ratepayers' Association, in order to frustrate any attempt at camouflaging.—l am, etc., W.M. C. Mu HU At'. February 21!.