COUNTY COUNCIL WORKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 747, 20 February 1915, Page 7

COUNTY COUNCIL WORKS.

SUGGESTION FOR COMMITTEES. \ THE PROPOSAL REJECTED. The matter of appointing committees to assist in the administration of tbe County Council was brought before the Council meeting on Monday evening when Cr Jackson, in accordance with notice given at iaßt meeting, moved that a Finance Committee of four members, and a Works Committee of five be set up. Cr Potts seconded the motion pro forma. In speaking to the motion, Cr Jackson said he thought the time had arrived when committees could with advantage bs set up. The County waß a very big one, and he thought the working of the Council would be facilitated by tha appointment of committees. Such a step would alao tend to extenj tbe interest of the councillors beyond their own ridings, and lead them to a better knowledge of the work being done. Both committees were necessary and should work together. Under existing conditions the councillors were merely units who came together periodically and dealt with the needs of their own several ridings. The effect of committees, he thought, would be beneficial. The various schemes of roading would be better understood, and in the caße of loan applications these would be promoted on an equitable basis without the danger of any one district being overlooked. The chairman said he thought the proposal unworkable from the fact that the County waa so big, and it would take too much time for the members of the committee to investigate the works in the various ridings so as to he able to do justice to them. In the case of special loans, which was the big responsibility of the Council, the schemeß were entirely tbe responsibility of the settlers in the special areas affected. He did not see that the deliberations of a committee would benefit them in any way. Moreover, the settlerß who were paying for the work might resent the interference of outside councillors. He could not see any benefits to be derived from the proposal, and he could see a good many drawbacks. If committees were appointed the chairman and offiaials of the Council would not act in any matter until directed to do so by the committee, and delays would ensue. As /ar as finance was concerned, all payments Were governed by statute and all loan money had to be expended for the purpose for which it was raised; all expenditure of thirds bad to be sanctioned by the Land Board, and the only money used for general purpoßeß was that raised from the general rate.In respect that there were separate riding accounts kept and each councillor piactically had control o£ the expenditure in his own riding. He did not see what benefit it would be to the Council or to the settlers for any councillor to take a hand in directing the expenditure in another councillor's riding.

The Council voted on the motion which -was divided into two, the motion concerning the Finance Committee being taken first, Crs Jackson, Potts and Were voting for, and the rest of the Council against. For the Works Committee, Crs Jackson, Johnston, and Were voted lor, and the rest oE the Council against, bot h motions being, thus defeated.