COUNTY ECONOMY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1931, Page 7

COUNTY ECONOMY

AWATKRB COUNCIL’S MSCDSSION Lengthy discussion as to ways and means of effecting economies without reducing wages, was given by the Awatere County Council at a special meeting at Seddon recently. Amongst the decisions reached was one favouring suspension ot sinking fund payments by all local authorities for a. period of two years.

Complaint was made that in some cases the county was not getting value for expenditure on road maintenance, fn connection with hired lorries paid for by the day, it was decided to let by the day in two separate contracts the work at present being done by these lorries, the work to be under the

supervision of the inspector. A decision was reached to pay the men operating the planers a further os a day if they would employ an additional horse. The opinion was expressed that this would dispense with the necessity for frequent spells and increase efficiency. The council decided not to part with its two-horse planers, the feeling being that the day was far off when the horse would bo displaced by the motor. Instead of paying employees time for travelling both to and from work, it was decided to pay them for time taken in returning home only. They are to start work at 7.30 a.m. and he hack in camp at 5 p.m.

On the motion of the chairman (Mr •I. B. Dick) it was decided to approach the Main Highways Board and circularise all county councils with a view to having all capital work of any kind put ofF until conditions again become normal, the money thus saved to be apportioned among the county councils as subsidies on maintenance work. The chairman said the time was not opportune to go i,n for 'any capital expenditure, and if’ the work was not necessary it should be cut out.

With reference to hospital costs, it was decided to request the hospital hoard to study economy in every possible direction. highway costs. On. the motion of Mr Murray a resolution was carried to the effect that all local bodies should be subsidised b\ the Highways Board in proportion to local rates collected, or valuation, in lieu ot the present system, with a view to tremendously reducing Highway Board costs of administration, as well us avoiding extravagance in unnecessary works being undertaken. The mover stated the upkeep of roads was costing the country roughly £8,000,000, and it was time someone took a band. It might he possible to get tin; Government to apportion the money collected Jfv the Highways Board among the various councils. The Highways Board, by giving £2 for £1 subsidy, had caused a lot of unnecessary expenditure, as the councils had got work, which was not really necessary, done cheaply, when, without the subsidy, they would not have expended money on the work. It was in the bands ol the councils to stop unnecessary expenditure, and if the councils had the money collected for road maintenance proportioned fairly, then they could derate, n.s they would take to carry the same job out under the Highway Board regulations. If the Awatere received the 1-TB3 part j of the total money collected (some £8198), it would he. far better off than under the existing arrangement whereby it received a tithe of that sum.

SUSPENSION OF SINKING FUNDS. In the course of a report of county finances, the county clerk (Mr ,T. H. Woolley) suggested, in view of economic conditions, that efforts lie made t*, obtain the suspension of payment of sinking funds, wholly or in part; if in part, the acceptance of half-payment for two years and the repayment extended one normal year to compen. sate. Tt was shown that suspension for two years would enable a reduction to be made of £675 10s in the rate levy. The report stated the ,council's annual interest bill was £1799 Is Od, in addition to the sinking fund payments of £075 10s. The council decided to send the Prime Minister n request that, owing to the depression, all sinking funds payable by local authorities be suspended for two years.