PUBLIC ENTERPRISE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 287, 26 March 1941, Page 4

PUBLIC ENTERPRISE

Sir, —Seeing the term of our City fathers has now been brought near its closing stages, it. would be an opportune time, to supply our local BEACON" with a free issue of oil„ so that it may so shine .its beams on matters of common interest to many ratepayers. Seeing in the past camera work has been going on with public money, let our local news service iioav reprint some of the films produced. If we as ratepayers are refused information, what is wrong Avith those Avho are placed around the tabic to look after our common interest. One very outstanding case of camera Avork took placc during the last few months. Let those Avho pay have some idea of the goods received. The folloAVing questions if answered might clear the Avay a iittle : Wage increases, or any other conditions granted during the last three j-earsr Borough Clerk, Borough Electric Engineer, Borough Foreman. Who did or Avill pay for (1) Road formation, (2) Kerbing and channelling as folloAvs : Soutcr's Salonika Street, LoA'elock Street. Let the light noAV shine. Yours etc., HARRY CARR, Landing Road.

(In view of the public nature of the above we have taken the liberty of submitting the letter to the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, who in a subsequent interview states that the council does not, as alleged make the practice of going into'committee,, as can be verified by the 'press.' Further he knows of no occasion upon which. Mr Cavr has been nofused information, which is always forthcoming to any ratepayer in response to a genuine query. The quoted 'outstanding' case of discussion in camera, Mr Barry says he presumed related to the recent rise in the salary of the Borough Foreman. This was granted by resolution of the council at an open meeting following a sub-committee's report. The motion is recorded in the minute book which is open to inspection by any ratepayer desiring to do so. As far as he (Mr Barry!) can recollect the only wage increases granted during the past three years were to the Borough Clerk, and the case in point, to the Foreman., There was also the Cost-of-Living bonus of 5 per cent which was extended to these men in common with all other award workers. The Borough is most fortunate in Mr Barry's opinion to retain the services of all these men, in the face of the higher salaries offering in other parts of New Zealand, and he can vouch for the fact that they have saved the ratepayers, the equivalent to their salaries time and time again. With reference to the roading costs he submits the following for the benefit of our correspondent: Soutar's Avenue, formation, tarsealing, kerbing and channelling paid for by Government in full, also concrete .footpaths, labour was supplied by the Borough; Salonika Street (presumably the extension) council agreed to pay 25 per cent with £250 as maximum, limit, the cost of forming, sealing, kerbing etc., Government found the balance which approximated threequarters; Lovelock Street was formed and dedicated road before any Government houses were built; it was tarsealed by the council conditional to the Government reciprocating by tarsealing Soutar's Avenue. Lovelock Street is not kerbed or channelled.

Mr Barry concluded by extending an invitation to our correspondent or to any other ratepayer, who feels he has a legitimate request to make» to do so either at the Borough Office, or at his (the Strand). I'n all cases he says they will be fully and properly answered. Ed.)