LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 134, 24 October 1912, Page 8

LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

THE COMMITTEE RESUMES. By Telegraph—Frees Association. Wellington, Wednesday. The Public Accounts Committee resumed the inquiry to-dav into the allocation of loans to local bodies. Mr. Corkill, who was chairman of the Remuera Road Board in 1911. stated that the board: applied for a loan of £85,000 in March or April last year, and the loan was provisionally approved in May. No political influence was used in regard to the loan. The water and drainage systems wete then absolutely necessary, and but for the raising of the loan and the prosecution of the works, there would, in the opinion of the Health Officer, have been a loss of life in the district. He was a member of Sir John Findlay's election committee. On one occasion, he addressed the men while the rain was pouring in torrents, and he was asked if would give them a holiday. He told the foreman to do what he liked, adding "They are men, not dogs, and the best thing you can do is to give them a holiday." He never suggested that Sir John Findlay would pay for the holiday. He had no authority from Sir John Findlay to say he would pay. He • understood that the wages that day had been paid by the board. Sir Joseph Ward: When you addressed the men, did you advise them to support the then Government? Witness said he considered it would be advisable to have that Government in power ,and to get cheap money. Replying to Mr Lee, witness eaid that, in addressing the men, he suggested that if the then Government went out, the Massey Government would do away with the State Loans Act.

Mr Lee: Do you think that being so, that it would have influenced the election if some of this loan money was supplied shortly before the general election? Witness: No. It would have no influence whatever.

Replying to Dr Newman, witness said, "I swear emphatically that no Ministerial influence was used in regard to this loan."