PUBLIC ACCOUNTS INQUIRY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3661, 24 October 1912, Page 5

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS INQUIRY

YESTERDAY’S SITTING

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, Oct. 23. The Public Accounts Committee resumed its inquiry to-day into the allocation ol' loans to local bodies. Mr Corkwell, who was chairman of the Remuera Road Board in 1911, stated that the Board anplied 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. Water and drainage systems were then absolutely necessary, and but for the raising of the loan and the prosecuting of 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 J. Findlay’s election committee. On one occasion the latter addressed the men while rain was pouring in torrents and he (witness) was asked if lie 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 J. Findlay would pay for the holiday. He had no authority from Sir J. Findlay to suv lie would pay. He understood that the wages for 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 it would be advisable to have that Government in power and have cheap money.-—Replying to Mr Lee, -' witness said that in addressing the men he had 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 that being so that it would bare Influenced the election if some of this loan money was supplied shortly before a general election ?

Witness: No, it would have no influence whatever. do Dr Newman witness said: I swear emphatically that no Ministerial influence was used in regard to this loan.