HUNTER ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1928, Page 6

HUNTER ENQUIRY

(By Telegraph—Press Association). CHRISI CHURCH, October 15. - The Works Committee of the City Council;'of Avhich ; Councillor G- RHuntler was formerly chairman, furnished its report to the Council tonight of the inquiry into the cipeum-. stances of Cr.‘'’.Hunter’s resignation from tlie Trading' with the Council, in' respect 'to coaf supplies and the use of a certain truck were the matters for the inquiry. The following was the order of reference: —■ (1) The? aliegedfitting of contracts (2) In what way or manner the alleged breach of the Municipal 'Corporations Act occurred ; mitted J^oWftgl^T4^tb" r what extent were the Council’s officers involved; (5) to what extent was the AVorks Committee involved.

The findings .oU the. Committee were:. (1) That in somtf. insahees/ for £2O worth of goods were given without calling for tenders, but (a) the officers involved were under the impression, that .they, were authorised to place susiC-orders in' special cases, and (h) not ‘infrequently ' three . quotations were obtained- before, placing the orders. The method of/ purchase, of sup-, plies, however, is the same as that which has obtained for many years. - (2) On the evidence submitted at the enquiry ,it was not proved- ’that any intentional breach of the Act was committed. (3) This is answerable. by the answer to.-Question .Nqv ;2 j M (4) The evidence, exonerates the officers of the Council from the slightest suspicion in connection with the matter. " • • (5) The- AVorks Coinmittee transacted the business' of purchasing coal in exactly the same manner as had been .customary for many years. The buying of the-Goal-was-left to. the officers, with a general instruction that the most suitable coal for the Council’s purposes should be purchased at the lowest price. The evidence showed that this instruction was carried out.