HUTT-COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 920, 13 September 1910, Page 7

HUTT-COUNCIL.

A QUESTION OF AUDIT,

Tho Hutt Borough Council met last evening. There were present: The' Mayor (Mr, E. IV Buiiny),; Councillors Baldwin, Macaskill, Barlow, Hayes, ..Kcmptiiorne, Pearce, Hawthorn, Dr; Anson, nnd-Clere.

■ Mr. Riddiford wrote calling attention to certain fences, stating that they had not been repaired by tho contractor, nor had certain spoil been removed. It .'was resolved to notify tho contractor that if the spoil were not removed within-seven days 7 the council would,carry out the work and chargo mm with same.

iho Hutt Eire Brigade were granted the uf« of tho recreation ground for their annual competition on Labour Day. It was resolved-to deoline a request by the Hutt Cricket Club, asking for an installation of gas. ',■,'■ Four applications were granted' for drainage connections at Alicotown. A deputation from the Hutt Eire Bri-gade-urged that a dummy hydrant be put down on the recreation ground for the competition on Labour Day. It was agreed to. allow tho hydrant to bo put down subject to tho approval of the borough engineer.. '••.',-•

-The Hutt River Board wrote'in reference to tho outlet of Everest Creek culvert, stating that tho outlet was' riot in the right place, uccordihg to a plan sighed by the board's engineer and initiated by the borough engineer: Councillor Baldwin; said that the only way to settle'the matter was to appoint a committee 'h? moet the-River Board on the culvert outlet. This was agreed to; ..Councillors Haw-thorn, Clere, Baldwin and: the Mayor were appointed as a committee. ' Councillor Hawthorn moved: "That, in. view of the recent decision of the council, on tho motion'of Councillor Hawthorn, to dismiss tho whole of tho office staff, allowing any member to make application'for reiiistatenient, and in order thutthecoiincil may be in a position to decide .< equitably .on the "merits of each such .'.application, it is advisable, to secure the services of Mr.' A. T. Clarke,-chart-ered accountant; of Wellington (and; auditor of the Wellington City Corporation accounts), so. that' the' council shall have ■the benefit of expert' advice, both us. to the past and present, system of. keeping the municipal accounts and in regard to a . more satisfactory and economical method for future use." w . ' ■ '

Councillor Bai'low, '■■ in secontling. the motion,' thought, that, in .fairn'eas to. the town clerk, an. inquiry should -be held.. Councillor Baldwin asked what charge was. laid against; the council's■'. staff.

"We," coiltlnued the speaker, "have,', a public' 'auditoi', . and ' an ,' outside man would be only doing the same work over again," ■"'..' ■"..'■ .. ' .'■

', Councillor' Hawthorn: Councillor Baldwin 'wants to kripw'whdt iho'chai'gd is. There is' no 'charge.,,'./It, is, simply" a' question of economy. ;"I am only doing my.'duty." to ' the, ratepayers, '. and am simply following tip .'.my;,previous', motion.. ;. For. \ instance, the" Jast .report;'; and statement' of-.acc6unts; ; brought before the cmiiicil ;took',.n. Ipug time.'to'prepare; arid, there: may,'be/soine way!of, hastening up these .report*."-''",: ',';',';. /'■•■".-.•. The Mayor felt' sure <that Councillor Hawthorn had no. ill-feeling towards the council's staff. /Other local bodies had done the name, thing. Tho reference made; to the last, statement of, accounts and report for the. council, by Councillor i Hawthorn made it apparent that the Town Clerk should be asked for an explanation.- . ... ■"■." •>.. "Mr. P. Purser (Town/Clerk) explained that. only, two. days'- nptice .had been given to; prcpuro .the/.data in question, which, was .required:in detail., He..had instructed,-a,,clerk-to' assist,.the,- engineer yvitli'j- the/preparation',.,and; bo 'did riot Hiink.;that- i ;thoy,;lipd..takeri,.ai long-time in-doing.-sbV'' As..regarded .callingJn .an outside -auditor," lie .had..not' the/slightest:/objection. , :-..i; : ...; „ '■;■•■ ■'■ ■■. /(looucillor ;Pearce supported the /motion, and:; added . that, within. ..Hie .last few,-.years, book-keeping had':improved: It.' would be satisfactory ;to everyone;, if an outside auditor;were, called in; : ..Mr.. Bimny r-Mf/Purser has been .Town Clerk:.- for.- eighteen years,., and, as/ tre,a----surer-.,0f the council his -work lias'..been executedin an able, manner.., .•.-, .-:;.

'•riie- motion was-put and'.carried, with the ' following.;' addition —"Subject ; to varraiigcmeiits,' being made -.'satisfactory, ito 'the'" Mayor "'and-'"Councillor Hawthorn." iiGouncillor -Baldwin, voted"against the mPtioh; ! ;-■ . '; v v -. "2,"-'", The engineer reported;that the.Everest Creek : diversion, with all intakes,, manholes, and bad .been .completed with tho'exception'of the. mouth.; 'Estimated cost, ;J32600; ' expenditure -to datß,' : '*23oß-'18s; ■ 7d:''v Nine connections had- been 'made;'; with''.the'Water-: mains. Si*' riew" gas- s.ervices;had" been, installed since last;,report. •"'Work: 0 n; the eastern drainage"section/ had : been' coriipleted, as far as authorised." The old creek along Wakefield'. .Street- 'had been "filled;. up. as far' as material .would" go. /Metalling and. repairs ,to Park Avenue -and Main Hutt: Road were:in hand, and paths and. channels round Bellevue Head had been filled up. The 1 Alicetowri footpaths were comioted and ready for tarring.- "-Repairs were being made to Western Hutt Eoad, arid the 'fencing had, been removed from /up Recreation Ground.;