WHO ORDERED IT?

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 13

WHO ORDERED IT?

METAL AT NORTHCOTE COUNCIL CONFIRMS PURCHASE A quantity of metal dumped in Clarence Street, Northcote, engaged the attention of the borough council for some considerable time at its meeting last night. Apparently no official order had been given for the materfal, yet it had been supplied from the Mount Eden Gaol. The mayor said that he wished it to be clearly understood by all members of the council that any ordering done should be done through the proper channels, and not by any individual members. While he condemned the action he wished the council to confirm the purchase, and thus close an unpleasant incident. Cr. Weaver considered the action should not be confirmed until an investigation had been held to discover the person who ordered the metal. Further, he said, that to pass this over was allowing a very dangerous thing to creep into the borough administration.

Mr. Munn, who notified the carrier that this metal was needed, said that he w'ould like to clear himself of having anything to do with the actual ordering of the metal. He read a carbon copy of the letter that he had sent to the carriers in question, in which he said that the metal was warited, and for them to get into touch with the gaol and then notify tho borough foreman. “What I would like to know,” said Mr. Munn, “is why that metal w r as not ordered before. The work was of a very urgent nature and wanted immediate attention.” Mr. Johnstone supported the mayor’s motion. No good purpose could be served by holding an investigation, and as the metal was wanted urgently nothing more should be said. Mr. Fraser jumped up and strongly opposed anything of the kind. He said that the metal did not belong to anybody and there was nobody’s purchase to confirm. Neither the mayor, the town clerk, the foreman nor Mr. Munn had ordered it —that is if Mr. Munn’s carbon copy is correct. (Laughter.) The Mayor: Cr. Fraser, I must ask you to withdraw' that statement. Mr. Fraser: Very well, your Worship, I withdraw my statement; nevertheless I trust that his carbon copy is correct. Mr. Munn: You can’t dispute a carbon copy. Mr. Fraser: As I said before, seeing that there is nobody’s purchase to confirm, we should return the metal to where it came from, the gaol—and the man who ordered it. (Loud laughter.) Ultimately the council confirmed the purchase of some person un-kno-.m,