“Treated Like Children 99

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 7

“Treated Like Children 99

Tramway Committee Upheld GUNTER REPORT DISCLOSURES ALONG and heated discussion, not altogether lacking in personalities, occupied the City Council last evening when an explanation was sought of a report secured by the Tramways Department from R. W. Gunter, self-styled tramway expert, whose real identity was first disclosed by The Sun. Gunter himself was an interested spectator in the arallery.

T'HE discussion arose when Cr. W. H. Murray moved to the effect that the report stated to have been made on the City Tramways by one Robert William Gunter be presented to the council for its consideration, together with all documents and correspondence and a report showing the total cost to the council of the report and incidental expenses. Cr. Murray said he had frequently been pressed for information. 3-Ie wanted to set the mind of the public at ease. The rumour was that the tramway chairman, manager and city solicitor agreed to pay Gunter £125 for a report on the city’s transport. He knew that the report had never been presented to the council, but he did not know whether the account for it had been paid. Too much work was being done in committee, he said. He did not know whether the Tramway Committee even knew about this. Pie suggested that Mr. Ford was appointed as a tramway expert, and it should not be necessary to go to outsiders of unknown quality. . CHAIRMAN REPLIES “I desire to second the motion, because I would not like to see it lapse,*’ said Cr. J. A. C.. Allum, chairman. “Nearly a year ago Gunter called on the tramway manager, claiming to have been employed by the General Omnibus Company as an engineer in connection with their bus service,” continued Mr. Allum. • “He produced credentials, including a letter from Lord Ashfield, which appeared quite satisfactory. “I am advised by the expert officers that Gunter was conversant with his subject, and had a considerable knowledge of motor omnibus transport. As a matter of fact, it should be stated that he did make a number of suggestions which have been found to be quie sound and useful. The total cost of his services to the department was £125.

“Until after Gunter left Auckland the department had no reason to believe that he was otherwise than he appeared to be. Subsequently a cablegram was sent to the London General Omnibus Company, who replied that Gunter had been employed by them as he had claimed, but had also imposed on them by means of forged credentials. It must be admitted that a clever criminal lias imposed on the council, as he has unfortunately imposed on many others, both here and elsewhere.

“After giving this information, it does occur to me to ask why Cr. Murray has chosen thi£ particular method of obtaining_it. The material facts have, I believe, long been known to most, if not all, councillors, as they have been to many members of the public, including the representatives of the local bodies who appeared before the recent Transport Commission. Although the local bodies criticised and. condemned the council in connection with its transport administration, even they did not attempt to make any capital out of the incident connected with Gunter, and it has been left to one of our own members to attempt to injure the council in the eyes Of the public in connection with the incident.

“One cannot help wondering what motive has inspired Cr. Murray. It cannot be that he thinks there is any possibility of getting the money back again, or of doing anything that will in any way assist the council or the public generally. It appears to be taking the opportunity to make presonal capital out of an unfortunate incidnet, and all fair-minded people will value his action accordingly.” “I quite agree with the remarks of the chairman of the committee,” said the Mayor. “The tramways were taken in, as were many others; “Gunter is back with us. I see he is in the gallery to-night, with a stenographer, taking extensive notes. “I think that if Cr. Murray did more to help the council, instead of raking up this sort of stuff, it would be much more to his credit.’* He moved an amendment that the chairman’s explanation be accepted and the matter considered closed. “TOO MUCH STAR CHAMBER” Individual councillors had never known of the existence of the report, although members of the Tramway Committee apparently knew all about it, said Cr. G. Knight. “I want to know whether the £125 was paid out of the treasury account. If it was so, a great injustice had been done to the council, which knew nothing about it. A burst of applause in the gallery caused the Mayor to give a warning that he would clear the gallery if there was a repetition. Cr. J. A. C. Allum; Everything was done in proper order.

Cr. Knight: There has been too much of the. Star Chamber, and as soon as this sort of thing is put a stop to the better for the council. Cr. Alice Basten said that her quarrel was not that the report was obtained from Gunter, but that the

council was kept ignorant and had to get its information from the Press. “Councillors outside the Tramways Committee have been very shabbily treated, and have been regarded as little children/’ she said. Cr. Allum said Cr. Basten’s remarks were unfortunate. The committee had never exceeded its powers, and it was always anxious that all the information available should be given. “IT IS UNFORTUNATE” “I think it is equally unfortunate that we have been placed in this position,” broke in Cr. Paterson. I entirely disagree with some of the things that committee has done, and the sooner it stops the better.” Cr. A. J. Entrican thought the public ought to know all about transactions by the council. It was, however, impossible that all work could be done in open council, and certain classes of activities could only be performed in the several committees. These had full power to act. If Cr. Allum had reported at the time that Gunter was available, they would have employed him. Cr, Allum was not alone to blame for the bogus report, said Cr. M. J. Coyle. Cr. Allum’s report of explanation was a very excellent one. The committee was given wide powers, and when the council was “had” they tried to crush a man (Cr. Allum) who had done a lot for the city. “Because one or two members of the council have a deadly set on the chairman, we get this sort of thing,” concluded Cr. Coyle. “It has been stated that I brought this forward with a sinister motive, but it was not,” said Cr, Murray, in reply. The people had the right to know the details.

The Mayor’s amendment that the chairman’s explanation be accepted and the matter closed, was carried by 16 to seven.