COUNTY COUNCIL CARS.

Shannon News, 14 May 1926, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL CARS.

ARE THEY USED PRIVATELY? "PIGS IN THE POWER BOARD'S LORRY." On a report being presented to the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday that a car had been purchased for the ranger at a cost of £l7B, Cr. Broadbelt asked if any action had been taken to ensure that the car should only be used for County work. They had a terrible lot of these motor vehicles running about now. The Engineer: There is no abuse_ in regard to any of them. Cr. Ryder said the Ranger was not a permanent employee of ihe Council and he knew the risk of doing anything like that. He did not think the ranger would abuse the car. Cr. Jensen: I take it that he will not make any private trips in it. The Engineer: There is nothing of that done to my knowledge. Cr. Catley: It seems to me that the o-eneral impression is that the County's cars are being used for purposes outside the work. U I am returned to the Council 1 shall ask the-Works Committee .to enquire into it and bring down a report on the matter, because it was serious. The Chairman: There is no charge made and therefore nothing to defend. I have heard the same things as the councillors.

Cr. Broadbelt said he had just suggested the taking of precautions against misuse. The County had a lot of motors and if they were running round the country without check it would cost a lot of money. Gr. Barber asked whether the Power Board cars were treated the same as. other cars? Did they pay a traffic license? The chairman said they did not us they were local body vehicles. Gr. Barber: Are they used' by the power Board only. . I happened to see one, of their lorries with a load of pigs on it the other day. (Laughter). The Chairman': I am not here to defend the Power Board to-day, but there is an explanation of that, Ihe power Board spld two of its lorries and it cannot compel people to eraac , the name from them. I will deny emphatically that the Power Board ha\e carried anv pigs. (Laughter;. Cr. Jensen asked whether m case of accident in which the Council's vehicles were involved, the Council would be responsible or the dnver The Chairman said the owner o the car was always responsible and hot the man. The County's cars were covered by insurance, however. This closed the discussion.