EYE FOR AN EYE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 358, 19 May 1928, Page 1

EYE FOR AN EYE

City Cotmcirs Turn

BRIGHT TIMES AT COMMISSION

CROSS-EXAMINATION at the Transport Commission is proceeding on the “eye for an eye” principle, and counsel for the city are having their turn now at following the example set by the suburban bodies’ counsel in attempting to pull the evidence of witnesses to pieces.

examination was that of the Power Board chairman. In a fortnight’s time the Mayor of Wellington will be a witness. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, representing the Citizens’ Committee, said nothing was possible in Auckland under present conditions owing to the refusal of the City Council to confer with the outside bodies. In the. case of a board the city would be entitled to a large proportion of the representation on its population. The local bodies were not unanimous about either the representation, or the terms of taking over services, but they were about the principle of the board. A considerable portion of the afternoon yesterday was spent in examining the Metropolitan Board idea, and various aspects of it applicable to transport. REASON WHY Witness said one reason why smaller bodies were joining the city was that they had got into a bad financial state. Mr. A. H. Johnstone, counsel for the city, remarked that all the local

bodies would join up when their finances got bad enough. Mr. E. H. Northcroft: If they wait until their finances are worse than those of the city it will be a long time before they come in. Witness said he thought the city ratepayers should have a say before some of the amalgamations were allowed. “Do you think the Power Board could satisfactorily take over all transport and form a combined board?” witness was asked by Mr. H. M. Rogerson. “That is a hard question to answer,” replied witness. “We have never considered it. But seeing that the Power Board is practically a metropolitan board in a way, the idea might be worth considering.” Witness, in reply to a number of questions, and amid an argument as to whether his reply was recorded in the report or not, said that the Power Board, since the undertaking was removed from the restrictions it suffered from under the City Council, had made remarkable progress. He believed that the transport undertaking was in the same position, and that placing it under an unrestrict wu board, with a greater unified area, would result in a general improvement. AN ANOMALY “It does appear to us an anomaly that there should be a borough entirely surrounded by the city,” remarked the chairman, Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., and he asked the witness if he thought the increasing of the city by amalgamations would solve the difficulties. The chairman stressed the fact that this question, like others of the sort, were on suppositious 1 grounds, and the commission was j still of a clear mind as to what j it would eventually recommend. Witness said it might remove some difficulties, but in his opinion it would not have the desired effect. He did not see that the City Council or the local bodies were in any way bound to accept the findings of the commission against their own convictions, and to act loyally to advance the findings. WELLINGTON MAYOR COMING On the commission resuming this | morning, the chairman said he had i communicated with the Mayor of WellI ington, asking him to give evidence, I and asking his opinion on the state- ; ment that retention of smaller local ! bodies contiguous to the city tended 1 to economic administration. Mr. G. ! A. Troupe had replied that he entirely j disagreed. The chairman said he . | would ask Mr. Troup to attend as soon j as possible, and would ask him to ' come prepared to answer specified j questions. ! It was agreed to forward Mr. Troup ; a statement of the Metropolitan Board ‘ idea and its relation to the proposed Transport Board, explained by the j evidence of Mr. Holdsworth. ! The city solicitor expressed apprej ciation of the chairman’s action, j Mr. Holdsworth, continuing his evi- | dence, was examined at length on the ! question of amalgamations. He said that apart from domestic affairs he could not justify the island borough of Newmarket. The metropolitan scheme, which has been prepared in booklet form and contains a number of circular diagrams, led Mr. A. H. Johnstone to ask about “the merry-go-round and the horses.” "And what about these white e.lephants down here?” asked Mr. Johnstone, referring to sanitation, traffic control, etc. “Not elephants; horses,” remarked witness. Mr. Johnstone: I thought you referred to them as elephants. Witness: I did not. I have no obj jection to you speaking of the horses, J and flogging them as much as you like, j Mr. Johnstone: I would rather flog I the horses than flog you. THE DIFFERENCE ] “Where were you?” asked the chairI naan, his attention haying been dis-

tracted from his notes. “I’m here, and I’m all right. I was wondering where Mr. Johnstone was,” remarked witness. “The difference between the metropolitan scheme and your amalgamation scheme is that you believe in annihilation, while we believe in co-operation,” interjected witness during the examination. “Now I just want to have a quiet little discussion, not for publication, with you,” said counsel. Mr. H. M. Rogerson: Can’t I hear it? “Supposing you get a few of the bodies that refuse to join up?” asked Mr. Johnstone. “Well, they would have to be dealt with,” replied witness. “I suggest one way of dealing with them,” remarked counsel. “Wipe them out; good scheme?” —It is quite possible. Would not it suit your scheme best if they wore .aIL wiped out now? —Not at present.. Ultimately .you want that?—lt may bo desirable. . “POOR CLASS OF MEMBER” Do you think , you can retain local interest, and.get a good class of member if the local bodies only deal with roads* sanitation, -and that sort of thing, and have a policeman looking after the by-laws? ' Witness: That policeman is your idea, hot mine. (Laughter.) What sort of men would you get on the councils? —As good as we are getting' now. “You referring to men like Cr. Allum? (laughter.)—l was really referring to the outside bodies. The Chairman: The tendency would be to get a poorer class of men at the administration end. Witness: We are getting them now. Of course, I include myself in that. (Laughter.) “Don’t you think some result would be obtained by having a unified city asked Mr. Johnstone. Witness ©aid he believed it would, and added some qualification which was not audible: At 11 a.m., the chairman asked a question, whether Mr. Johnstone could finish with witness in a few minutes, as he had promised to adjourn at 13 a.m. Mr. Johnstone.: No, I want another hour or so. Witness: Mr, Chairman. I am clue in Wellington in about three weeks’ time. Is there any chance of getting away by then? The chairman said Tie thought «o. and the commission adjourned till Monday amid laughter.