PETROL FOR MEETINGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 22, 27 February 1942, Page 5

PETROL FOR MEETINGS

SMALL ALLOWANCE FOR COUNTY COUNCILLORS DECISION OF CONTROLLER At this week's meeting ci' the Whakatane County Council a communication was received from the Counties' Association advising that in response to representations made for a supply of petrol to enable County Councillors to attend Council meetings the Oil Fuel Controller stated that in view of the seriousness of the petrol situation, all requests and applications for the issue of such petrol licenses had been declined. . It had been represented that in a number of cases, country members were now debarred from attending meetings owing to the lack of transport facilities. The Hon. Minister of Supply had therefore agreed to the issue of reasonable allowances of petrol to those members who could show that it was impossible for them to attend meetings Avithou t the use of their private cars. The licenses would be issued only in the names of the County Clerks who would issue to Councillors the minimum amounts required to> enable them to attend each meeting. The Oil Fuel Controller stated that In notifying County Councils of this decision, their co-operation should lie sought by their endeavouring to arrange meetings so as to allow country members to make the best possible use of existing public transport facilities. The Association asked that the following be observed; —- 1. Tnc Chairman and County Clerk should investigate the needs of each County Councillor. 2. Each case should be treated on its merits, even though some Councillors living at a considerable distance from the County Office will need more petrel than others. 3. Councillors from a distance should "pick up" as many Councillors as possible en route to meetings. 4- Every endeavour should be made by County Councillors to conserve petrol. The County Clerk reported that travelling expenses were being paid as follows: — Living expenses works committee meeting, 7/6 per meeting; Council meeting and Finance Committee meeting 5/- per meeting; Car mileage 8d per mile both ways, viz:— Cr J. G. Cliff-McCulloch 7 miles, 0.4; Cr F. J. Burt 17 miles, 22/8; Cr H. C. McCready 6 miles, 8/-; Cr W. A. McCracken 12 miles, 16/-; Cr D. W. Spence 14 miles, 18/8; Cr J. L. Burnett 23 milec, 30.8; Cr R. F. Wardlaw 19 miles, 25/4;, Cr L. W. Luxton C,y 2 miles, 8/8; Cr' C. T. Smith 12 miles, 16/-; Cr T. G. H. Cawte 47 miles, £3/2/8; Cr A .F. McGougan 13 miles,. 17/4. It was resolved that no aplication be made meantime —that benzine be applied for in the cases only of essential special meetings. The chairman stated that members were being allowed sufficient petrol to visit Whakatane each week and he suggested that they should in the meantime make use of that allowance to attend the meetings.