COUNTY OFFICERS’ SALARIES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 787, 18 May 1877, Page 3

COUNTY OFFICERS’ SALARIES.

(to the editor of the dunstan times.) Sir, — Some time since I remarked in your columns on the wisdom of being liberal in the matter of salary to the Secretary and Engineer of the County, particularly the last named. It must be evident to all that an' Engineer of competent ability, experience, and integrity can very easily save the ratepayers a much larger sum than! the salary allotted by'the Council, even in a single contract ; and it should be evident that the services of such a man, cannot bo ■expected to be retained for such a salary as that at present given. In 'this matter' liberality is the truest economy, for nothing 'is easier than to throw away the money many times over in unnecessary works, or works badly executed from the want of pro;per supervision. ■ We have seen many instances of this under Provincial administration, and wc fondly hoped that we had seen the last of it; but we have no right to lay this flattering unction to our souls while wo pursue such a “ penny-wise and pound-foolish ” policy as I believe wo are now doing. lam well aware that some think the salary already too large ; but no wise man who knows that, when needed, a good article is never dear, will think so. The question is not so much spending a quantity of money, which the merest fool can -generally manage, as spending it well, and this can only be done under the strictest and mosit competent supervision for which wo must be willing to pay liberally.—Yours, &c., C.