CIVIC INQUIRY ADJOURNS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 234, 22 December 1927, Page 1

CIVIC INQUIRY ADJOURNS

MANY MORE WITNESSES RESUMING ON JANUARY 20 ROADING METAL AGAIN A T a late hour last evening the special committee dealing with Cr. W. H. Murray’s charges of engineering waste decided to adjourn until January 20. Mr. McLiver indicated that he had 36 more witnesses, but might be able to condense his case in the meantime.

The evidence yesterday afternoon and last evening reverted to road metal. John A. Cox gave evidence of metal being loaded for Cr. Donald at Old Mill Road, and one for Cr. Coyle. The trucks were private ones, and he considered the metal would have been useful for the road. . Harry Tainton, a city employee, saw the loading, but considered the metal, part of a wall, was unsuitable for use. Patrick Tuohey, also a city employee, said the stone sent to the two councillors was superfluous. Witness said he saw that he got correct measure in loads delivered to him.

Two witnesses on prices for kerbs and pitchers, N. Vilis and P. Anach, deposed to tendering at 7id and 8d and lid and getting no reply. John D. Adlam gave evidence of carting, and had occasionally seen scoria of wrong specification delivered. N. Letessier said unsuitable kerb stones were delivered. John Edgar, a Point Chevalier resident, complained that he had received no attention on a complaint. Mr. Melling, assistant town clerk, said he had received, no personal complaint, which lead witness to make some remark about the waste-paper basket. Mr. Melling: I resent very much the suggestion that I put council documents in the waste-paper basket. They are on the file, dozens of them. The only personal complaint I have had from you was about somebody’s straying cows. Witness said he had written dozens of letters to the City Council. His rates had doubled in four years. He complained of neglect of provision for storm water in Harbour View Road and of rough metal on several roads.

Fruit Guarantee. —The Cabinet yesdecided to increase the Government fruit guarantee from 10s a case to 11s a case for the coming export season. The Hon. O. J. Hawken, Minister of Agriculture, stated the guarantee of 10s did not provide sufficient finance to work upon.—Press Association,