COUNTY AFFAIRS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 197, 6 September 1937, Page 11

COUNTY AFFAIRS

Our Own Correspondent.)

WAIPUKURAU MEETING

(.From

WAIPUIvUEAU, Last Night. The monthly meeting of the Waipukurau County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. L. M. Monekton (dejJuty-chairman), M. Tansey, A. W. Elliott, VV". T. Edgecombe, J. A. F. Swinburn, H. T. Wright, and P. F. Wall. The clerk-engineer (Mr E. E. Price) was in attendanee. In ' the abvsence of the chairman, Mr A. 0. Russell, through ill-health, the aeputy-chairman presided. The Waipukurau Chamber of Commerce forwarded a letter of appreciation of the improved condition of the Lower Gorge road, stating that the attention gi.ven to this matter by the council had been favoarably commented on by members. — The advice was appreciatively received on the actingchairman -'s motion. A councillor observed that the Chamber had evidently changed its tune a little. An application for exemption came from Messrs John Winlove and Sons, Waipukurau, in respect to the weight of the sheep erates on trucks, in relation to the bare weight of vehicles, on exi'sting vehicles at least. It was stated that the iirm had written by reason of advice received from the Transport Board, which could give no such exemption as a general rule. On Cr. Tansey 's motion, seconded by Cr. Edgecombe, it was decided to grant the desired exemption as applied to present trucks. It was agreed that each such application should be dealt with on its merits. Rata Subsidy. "This council for a number of years has been urging upon the Government that the present basis of subsidy in general rates collected is grossly unfaii\ inore - especially to the larger counties, but up to the present our representations have uot borne fruit, in order that first-hand infoi'mation may be obtained each county in New Zealand is being communicated with to ascertain particulars regarding the general rates collected for the past three years, viz., to June 20, 1937, and as to the subsidy collected for each year." This intimation came from the Southland County Council. — The clerk stated that the minimum subsidy was £500 and the maximum £2500. In the caae of large Counties the eft'eet was an adverse one, Southland being thus involved. A councillor: An argument against large counties and amalgamation. On the motion of Cr Tansey it was agreed that the desired information be supplied, Question of Wages. In a letter dated August 19, thje Department of Labour, Napier, advised that the "^question had arisen as to the' amount of wages payable by .virtue of the provisions of eection 17 (3) of the Finance Act, 1936, as concerning two employees. It was stated that the District Inspector of Factories had fixed the rate payable as fpm July 1, 1936, at 1/10£ per hour. This rate will need to be proportionately increaised for the computation of the arrears from September 1, 1936, when the shorter weeL came into operation. Tbe clerlc-engineer showed, that there had been various complications in respect of fixing the wages payable during recent years. The amount involved for the two men was about £25, at 15/- a day. He had referred the matter to the chairman, being advised to go into the back-pay aspect. It had. been found that there were some 25 weeks concerned and the arrears were duly paid. Un the motion of the acting-chairman seconded by Cr Wall, the chairman's action was confirmedl The clerk stated that about £106 had been disbursed iii staff back-pay. and several councillor s pointed out that the call for such had been tlie result of tbe council' s origiual generosity in not reducing tbe wages of its stafi in 1931, when the general wages-cut came into operation througlxout tlie Dominion , The cost of the council' s work, stated the clerk-engineer, had been increased in consequence of the award of recent date. He pointed out that there were various costly restiictions imposed. It was his opinion that the adoption of the contract system would result in considerable saving. Road Safety. In a circular letter tlie Transport Department, Wellington, stated that the Government viewed with concern the still high casualty rate in connection with road accidents. For the 44 months ended July 31, though less than for the correspondiug period of last year, 77 persons had been killed, 250 injuVed seriously and 1232 in a minor degree. It was held tlia-g the statistics demonstrated tliat the great rr.ajority of these accidents coukl have been avoided if the road users had been uware of, and liad observed, the principal rules governiug traific. Tlie council was asked to iudicate the typo oi' poster, of i'our available, favoured for display purposes. — The matter was left in the hands of the clerk-engineer.

Metalling Tenders Tondors called in respect of a metalling contrast on a detailed schedule basis, covei'ing the whole county, wero considered by the council, the clerkcngmeer stating that it might be desirable for a small committee to be set up i'or the purpose of a closer exnmination. Average liauling distances were shown in tlie schedule, on a per mile scale of cost. He pointed out that one general contract was preferable ■ to sectional contracts. After close deliberatjon the lowest tender, that of C. Cassidy, Waipukurau, was accepted. There were four tenderers. Tlie contract extends till March 31, 1938. , The employment of a tally-man, aa

usual, would be necessary, stated the engineer. He would be usefully engaged on tbe roadway concerned in the interim. He expected a saving of £300 to £400 for the balance of tbe year. Tlie appointment of a grader-driver, at award rates, was made by Price being reappointed on a permanent basis.