TRAVELLING EXPENSES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1925, Page 3

TRAVELLING EXPENSES

GOVERNMENT AUDITOR’S REQUESTS. WESTPORT. February Hh Mr Clair, Government Auditor, interviewed the County Council at its meeting on Wednesday and asked members to'furnish him with details concerning travelling allowances paid them I v the Council during the past twelve months. The Auditor stated he would like to know just how the amounts were involved. There was no specified allowance. according to the Counties oct, but each councillor was entitled to claim for actual out-of-pocket expenses. The Department would not stand for anything" that was unreasonable. CT- Griffiths said he was losing 61 a day and had to pay a man Ids to work for him, while he was away. Then there was his train fare and dinner. Mr Gair said that the Act allowed gravelling expenses only, and did not allow wages. Cr Griffiths persisted that the items mentioned came under “out-of-pocket” expenses, but the Auditor would not count them as such. Speaking on the expenditure of the local body, Mr Gair said it was necessary for each Riding to live within its I means. Councillors would be held responsible for anything beyond the amount specified. , Hon. Mir Mclntyre said the Buller Countv Council was in the unfortunate position of not being able to carry on according to the Act. It would be, necessary to ask the Government to make a' variation. At the present •dime the .excess expedSture involved £ Councillor in a sum of £900! The Auditor then withdrew and the Councillors discussed in general terms their respective expenses, and loss involved in attending the meetings of the Council.