COST OF HIRE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3279, 23 June 1943, Page 7

COST OF HIRE

COUNTY ANGLE-DOZER RATE FIXED BY COUNCIL AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE USE The question of the rates to be charged private people for the use of the county angledozer was the source of a lengthy and at times cc. : sial debate at the June met <... the Coromandel County Counc... The engineer, Mr A. H. Benham, produced figures- charged by the Public Works Department, Messrs Odlin and a private owner in Tauranga. He also gave a full statement as to the cost of running the ihachine, including capital expenditure, fuel‘and oil, repairs and depreciation without the driver’s wages.

After a thorough discussion it was proposed by Cr, Jackson, seconded oy Mr C. C. Rae, that the hire rate for the angledozer be fixed for three months at 25s per hour, including driver’s wages for the actual time the machine is working and that the driver’s time only at 4s per hour be charged for the time spent servicing and travelling to and from jobs. It was proposed -by the chairman, Mr Rae, seconded by Cr. C. S. A. Geard, “that the travelling- time of the machine and man to a job be charged at the same rate of 25s per hour, subject to review at the end of three months.” —Carried. It was proposed by Cr. Jackson and seconded by Cr. A. Watkins, “that the accounts to be rendered to the McKenzie Sawmill Co., be reduced by 25 per cent, of the amount charged for working and servicing hours. It was pointed out by several councillors that it was hardly fair to charge the full amount for the job when the driver was new to the machine and was learning to use it. The job would have taken less time had the driver been experienced. An amendment to the motion was proposed by Cr. H. C. Bull, seconded by Cr. A. J. Denize that the account be reduced by 20 per cent. On being put to the meeting the chairman declared the amendment lost, Crs. H. C. Bull, A. J. Denize, E. M. Minifie and C. S. A. Geard voting for it. The resolution was then put to the meeting and declared carried on the casting vote of the chairman, Crs. J. E. Jackson, A. Watkins, T. E. Simpson and C. C. Rae voting for it. Cr. J. G. Strongman did not record his vote.