FRAUD RUMOUR DENIED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 2

FRAUD RUMOUR DENIED

SIGNATURES ON NEW LYNN PETITION COMMISSION RESUMES A suggestion that signatures to a petition asking that New Lynn be constituted a borough were obtained by pressure, and on fraudulent representations, was flatly denied before the commission dealing with the petition this morning. Objections raised by Mr. H. Green, a ratepayer, caused the unexpected resumption of the commission. Mr. Green asserted that he represented several objectors, and said the roads in the Kelston area were not as good as those in New Lynn, and that the town district was not getting the service it should now. Mr. TV. R. McKean, S.M., chairman, said he could hardly accept Mr. Green’s bare statements. He neither produced the objectors nor any written authority from them. Mr. J. G. Haddow, acting for the Town Board, said that it had been suggested that the petition for a borough had been signed by ratepayers under pressure, and on fraudulent representations. Mr. Green denied any suggestion of fraud. Mr. Haddow said he had taken this view of Mr. Green’s remarks, and so had the Press. The board flatly denied the suggestion. There had been a typed and entirely fair statement of the advantages attached to each petition form. Mr. Greenslade, town clerk, said Kelston had an unimproved value of £IB,OOO. It public debt was £5,000, of which £1,300 yet remained to be spent. From New Lynn’s point of view, its financial position was excellent. The borough inspector, Mr. T. M. Culpitt, explained that he got signatures for a second petition, this being due to the fact that signatures gained by volunteers had frequently been irregular. He had no authority to promise reductions of rates, and denied doing it. He worked in the board’s time, and in his own. The commission adjourned, and will report to the Minister. In the event of the commission recommending improving the status to that of a borough, the ratepayers will have the final say at a poll.