PWD Scandal in F [?]
p. 128 · Read in the full issue
Report Published And
Culprits Sacked
A SERIES of malpractices had continued for years Fiji Public Works Depai was inquired into by a speciaj mission some time ago,” sa Auckland correspondent.
“What happened to the n Was anyone punished?
“The general belief is that all smothered up and hidden by the Fiji Government. W*' not have added to British C!
Office prestige if the faults hai frankly acknowledged, andl culprits fully punished, in thv of the public?”
There was more to the same; It is alleged that, under the PWD, certain people enjoyedl favours, such as the repai overhaul of yachts, overhs engines, making of furniture, of cheap materials and fitting so forth. In so many words, said that the PWD was a firs “racket” in which a varu public servants took part.
We sent the statements to for inquiry. Here is the ansv “Over the years things ce did get very slack in the Works Department; but mostd trouble was cleaned up whi Committee of Inquiry sai Director of Public Works “ and a number of the people in ately concerned in the malpr revealed by the inquiry were “There was a very st; tightening up. For a time, stance, it was impossible to g the Public Works Departmen at Walu Bay without a forms and for a pass you had to go h ally to the Director of Public; himself. This was an inevits action to the results of the and things have begun to gi; to normal again.
“It is absurd to suggest tl whole matter was hushed uj inquiry was held in publi although it was a long times the report was published, the tion was being straightene Action had already been take; the report was made public.
“I do not know of any ini tion. I am certain that thi no question of threatening anybody who gave evidence., the Governor himself who the inquiry and his attitui that he wanted to get at thu He certainly would not havr ated any victimisation f»: moment and that part of the is quite absurd.
“As the writer says himii was on his way to New I while the inquiry was beim He probably does not kno: the people concerned were and the report published.”