Secret of Gunter's Report to be Aired

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 1

Secret of Gunter's Report to be Aired

AUCKLAND TRAMWAYS CR. MURRAY’S MOVE The fact that the now notorious Mr. R. W. Gunter supplied the City Council, or at least its tramway department with a report, before the sitting of the Transport Commission, is to be aired at the next meeting of the City Council. Cr. W. H. Murray has tabled a motion on the subject. That a report was supplied, and stopped at that, is no secret to a great number of people in the city. It was at one time intended to use the facts in cross-examination by the local bodies’ side at the Transport Commission, but counsel decided that no good purpose would be served in opening the question, the city authorities having acted in good faith on excellent credentials. It is stated that Gunter was paid over £IOO for his report, and this provided his saloon fare to Sydney. However, Cr. Murray has now given notice of motion as follows: That the report stated to have been prepared for and supplied to the Auckland City Council, or to the Electricity and Tramways Committee, or to the chairman of that committee, prior to the setting up of the Transport Commission, by one Robert William Gunter, be forthwith submitted to this council for its consideration, and that there be attached to that report the file of papers, correspondence and documents evidencing the business relationship (if any) that has at any time existed between Gunter and this council or the said committee or chairman in its or his official capacity, and that a return be attached to the report, showing the total cost to the council or to the tramways department of and incidental to the report and its preparation. Arising out of a recent decision regarding the availability of certain documents to members of the council, Mr. Murray has tabled another notice of motion as follows: ‘‘That on and after the passing of this resolution all official municipal documents, correspondence and other record's in connection with the Civic Square and leases be made accessible to each and every councillor on request to the town clerk at any time during business hours at the Town Hall.”