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Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1920, Page 2

The County Council hag made a further advance in the rate of pay to its employees. In this way the prevailing conditions regarding payment foy work is brought prominently under the notice of the ratepayers. Casual labour on and after the Ist. October is to be increased from 13 j- to 15/- por diem; bridge carpenters from 16/- to 18/4; and horse and dray hire from 23/- to 25/-. Increases are to be granted also to the roadmen and office staff. The rates .of pay are being made uniform with those paid by the Public Works Department, which wag ppcessary otherwise very* poor labor, if any, lypuld be offering at the old rate. These increases will mean an additional cost for administration, but they are inevitable in view of the general conditions affecting employment everywhere. Even at the new rate labor, will not be too plentiful, which means that many works cannot be proceeded with as expeditiously as is desirable. As a means to overcome the shortage of labor, and also to deal mpre efficiently and economically with the construction of works, there, was a preliminary proposal before the County Council yesterday to raise a loan up to £3,000 to purchase a roadmaking plant which could operate as far south as Okarito. On this question it is proposed to take a. poll of the ratepayers in November next. The question will rest, therefore, with the electors for final decision. The proj posal is one which deserves every consideration. Mechanical appliances are now being used very widely to cope with work required to be done, and local bodies, particularly in the more progressive North Island, are going in largely for road-making machinery to assist in road repair and construction work. In that quarter the local bodies are realising tlie benefit of the nia,chinory and are adding considerably ,to their plant. The proposed plant for Westland should be of offective use if obtained. For metalling over long distances horse teams are not only costly but hard to secure, and motors arc

proving fclrtir value for quick transport, A stone crushing plant would give bet- i ter material for metalling in the place ] of the ordinary gravel, so much of which washes away so readily. Finally, the road roller would be indispensiblo for setting the broken metal, as it is laid, the quicker to make a better road. This appears to be a modest and practicable plant, which it appears is recommended by Overseer Millner, and his opinions , are confirmed by the County roadmen in . the employ of tho Council. The next i question for consideration is the cost. This it is proposed to provide for by i loan, which woidd he repaid within ten years out of tho general revenue. A security rate for a small sum per pound would require to be struck, but according to the proposal is, not to be levied. The all-round saving which the road plant would in a short time effect, would go towards the redemption of the loan, and in any case the scheme from the monetary point of view does not not appear to be beyond tho resources of the Council. The proposal is a concrete one for the benefit of all parts of the County, and weighing the advantages at their face value, it rests finally with the ratepayers whether what seems a timely proposal should or should not be adopted without delay.