The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1923. COUNTY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1923. COUNTY MATTERS.

On Wednesday, throughout the Dominion, the various County Councils elected their Chairman for the ensuing period. The task of selection is left to the members of the Council, and not as in municipalities, to the electors. It is interesting to noto that in many quarters there is a demand that the Borough Councils should elect tlictr Chairman or Mayor, rather than that the municipality should bo put to tlio cost of an electoral contest. The County Councils, however, are not demanding a spv.ial poll for tlio County Chairman, so that it would appear, selection by the members is most favored. Tlio local contest on Wednesday resulted in the selection of Mr Duff, who was opposed by Mr defines, the retiring Chairman, and the Hon. Griinmond, “the father” of West Coast local government. Mr Jeffries put in a useful year and won the praise of the members and but for tlio unwritten rule that the position should “go round the table”, would probably have been re-elected. Mr Duff has occupied the position on three previous occasions, and so may be expected to do lull justice to tho post. This will bo an important year, and the Chairman’s time will be called upon a good deal. In addition to the Exhibition and the Jubilee of the Province, there is also tho royalties investigation of special moment to tho Council, and Mr Duff from his long connection with the Council, should be familiar with the whole question.

At the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Murdoch pleaded for the appointment of a judge of the Supreme Court, to deal with the royalties question. The issue is a complex one, involving legal issues, and in that respect legal ability is essential if due weight is to he given to the full representation of the case for the local 'bodies. Tho local authorities are very much concerned over the matter, because a very largo sum is involved. The ratepayers do not recognise this perhaps, but Mr Murdoch, to whom nil credit is due for working up the matter for the local bodies emphasised the financial side very strongly and gave cogent reasons whv a person of a trained legal mind and without bias, conscious or unconscious, should deal with the matter. The Government has been very tardy in preparing to give the local bodies a fair deal. Through the Crown Daw officers, Ministers must bo aware of the legal position and what is at issue. When the Government held its own enquiry’ into the matter, the proceedings were strictly private. The position was adjudicated upon by three Ministers, two of whom are eminent in the legal profession, but no statement of fact was given to the local bodies. What is there to hide? M hy tho secrecy if all is above board? These are matters which will be brought out at the Commission, and it can well be understood why legal knowledge is necessary. Although encouraged by the reports of the County Overseer, the Council failed to go the length of securing useful road machinery to deal with maintenance work. By a bare majority the Council resolved to confine itself to a stone-crushing plant ortly. and the road roller which would be a most effective part of a general plant, was turned down. This is rather to be regretted as the late Council was disposed to consider a more complete

plant. However, the stone crusher will be a useful beginning, though a road roller seems to be the natural complement, if the most effective results are to bo obtained from the use of broken metal. The road roller operating in the Grey County Is said to be giving very satisfactory results. The main Grey road has been put in most improved order by the free use cf the grader ami roller, and the authorities state a great saving is in sight as a result of the use of the implements referred to. With the increasing volume of motor traffic, an improved road surface is essential not only in regard to maintenance, but also for the comfort of users of the roads. Without a roller broken metal cannot be utilised to full advantage and so many complaints and demands are sure to arise that, really, the postponement of the purchase of a roller can hardly he for long delayed if full justice is to be done to the roads. Tho southern representatives made a set against the purchase of the plant on the ground that it would not lie used greatly in the south. This seemed to bo rather a short-sighted view to take, as the more economical the administration is in any one part of the County the greater the all round benefit. There was again a suggestion for differential rating, but all the revenue of the. Council is not derived from rates, and each Riding should in justice lie treated according to the money it finds. On this basis, whether by direct taxation through tho rates. or by royalties and hotel lees, each Riding lias a fair claim for consideration. 'Taking that fur consideration, there must he very little to choose between the finances of tho three Ridings. Tho southern Riding is of course growing in importance, and tile time is approaching when its representation will require consideration. The south will advance rapidly when the settlers have more ready access to the Last Coast markets and by the time the next County election conics round, tho matter of representation will require to be reviewed, and no doubt either increased representation accorded or a todivision of boundaries made to secure to tho south a greater voice in tho administration of the Council. In other respects the north has never sought to treat the south unfairly. On tile contrary, a helping hand has been fortliconi ing a 1 ways.