The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1925. BOROUGH ADMINISTRATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1925. BOROUGH ADMINISTRATION.

Af'l’lNti on the lead given by the I’tllilic Works Coinmitlee.s. the Hokitika .Borough Council i- settin<r about the reorganisation <;t i lie maintenance stall'. The Chairman ol the Finance Committee' nave it out as a reason for the retrenchment proposed that tile* state of the funds were the cause, but the Chairman of the Public Works Committee who follow cM spoke to the effect that value "as not being received for the expenditure incurred. It was remarked tit the t cuncil meeting that the state of several footpaths at presnt were 1 never in a worse condition. If that he so it is the duty of the Council to provide the means ol maintaining at least the main thoroughfares for public traflic. The whole matter turns in effect on administration and the control of the staff. There appears to lie ample men engaged for ordinary upkeep, hut there has been a slackness. It is the duty in the first instance ol • the Works Committee to -ec tie* instruct ions of the Council carried out to the best effect. Probably there has been some short-comings there, and if not there, then the volume of work actually carried out has not been commensurate with the outlay. The proposed rothe staff will give the opportunity for a (lose overhaul, and it is to he ho; ed the ratepayer.- will derive some benefit from the change. At the late meeting the nee. ssity for sonic important works was broached, and this taises at om-e the ouostion of "ays and means. There v.as the suggestion to defray the cost of the work- out of revenue, hut earlier it had been said the shortage of money necessitated retrenchment. The O' unci! wisely asked for an estimate of the cost involved before committing itself to the outlay for the works. At the same time it was mentioned there »u- still £IOOO of the authorised loan to raise. which could be used for essential works. Drains laid down in ]>ernianont material seem to l>e a fair charge against loan money. and the new works, if to

lie undertaken, should lie financed from that source. Already there i- a long list of works authorised, awaiting attention. These l are works of more or less magnitude and it will lie ini possible to carry them out if later works are deemed more urgent, and are earmarked from revenue. The revenue made some in: reuse of late, hut tic to'n has grown of late, and new rm:d- and loot paths are being extended. and other works carried out. which add to the maintenance obligations of the Council. If the Council is to discharge its duties satisfactorily, and to the comfort and convenience of the ratepayers, more income must lie forthcoming. Besides, there is always a contingent liability against the Conn il in the upkeep of its water supply. A break rr other d'feet may at any moment impose a enn.-'.dcrahle expenditure. and the finance should he strong enough to meet t oat invencies of such a nature m a reasonable extent. The Council's policy it must It confessed is of a somewhat spasmodic character. Enough fordh.mg'it: does not appear to he shown in planning the works for the year, and s', providing revenue for the programme provided. Too many works seem to lie attempted (or at least authorised) fur the money in sight. There is the necessity for more coordination let ween the two principal committees ol the Come il, and certainly n.i work should lie authorised till the cost is estimated, and it is ascertained whether the money will he available within a reasonable time to do the work. It should lie possible to do nmeii work with the mainlviiauc ' staff under pro] er direction, and here again from week to week or meeting t<> undine, iisto . n-ordinat ion i■e. , i—snry • o that the workmen will haVi a regular icuiine of work under a system 'hick placed on reioril by diary returns, will leave no doubt as to work perf: rincd. A system requires establishing, and cllicietitly directed, should result very quickly in removing the numerous i nu-es ol i'iilil|ilaint about the streets and tnotpaths and Borough work generally.