WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1629, 16 December 1881, Page 2

WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL.

AUDITOR'S REPORT. To the Chairman and Members Westland County Council. Gentlemen -I have the honor to report for your information that I have examined and audited the statements of accounts for the half-year ended 30th September, 1831, and" compared the same with vouchers and other documents, and have found them to be correct.

I would wish to draw the attention of the (Joimcil to the amount paid to Councillois for attendance at meetings. The sum of 30s is voted to each councillor attending ordinary meetings, whether he be resident in the town or otherwise. I have carefully studied the Act aiid the Amendment Act, and I can find no clause warranting such an expenditure. The only expenses a Councillor is entitled to be allowed are those of travelling expenses,- which must be reasonable. The sum of Is per mile is voted to each Councillor when travelling to or returning from meetings, and this amount I consider to be reasonable in itself and sufficient to pay all expenses incurred by Councillor < but when this amount is added to the 30s above mentioned, I venture to suggest to the Council that the amount becomes unreasonable; take, for instance, the case of a Councillor from Boss or Kuniara attending meetings. He first receives 30s for attendance, and. secondly, £2 for travelling allowance, making a total of £3 10s j whereas the actual expenses need uot he over 30s at the very most. I would also wish to draw the attention of the Council to the fact that one of the Councillors, who is a member of the firm of Sinclair and Co. has been supplying articles to the Council, which is contrary to clause G2, section 4, of the Counties Act, which states that such t'ouncillor is disqualified from sitting as a member. I have to express my appreciation of the clear and concise manner with which the Treasurer keeps the books and accounts of the Council. J have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, W. A. Spestce, County Auditor. Hokitika, loth November, 1881. MEMBERS' TRAVELLING EXPENSES. We are indebted to Mr E. J. Seddon for a copy of the schedule of amounts

paid to members of the Council as travelling expenses, from April 26th; 1577, to October 2Glh, 18S1. This schedule was embodied in a report of the Treasurer's, but the Council declined by six voles to three to allow it to be printed. The summary of amounts paid to members is as follows : _ _- . £ s. d. H. L. Robinson, 3 months ... 13 10 0 Coles, 2 years 36 0 0 Collyer, 2 years ... ... 51 10 Q M'Gaffin, 2 years ..." ... 33 0 0 Wilson, 1 year 25 10 0 Eielson, 2 years 55 6 6 Banks, 2 years 13 10 0 Beale, 2 years 61 15 0 Dale, 4£ years 254 12 6 Seddon, 4J years 284 4 6 M'Whirter, 4J years 277 9 6 Hirter, 4£ years 371 19 0 Sandle, 3 years 18110 0 Grimmond, 3 years 152 18 6 Lang, 3 years 91 3 0 M'Goldrick, 3 years 97 7 0 Jack, 3 years 120 3 0 Total £2120 8 6 Included in Crs. Jack's, Dale's, and Seddon's accounts are sums of £lO each, voted for attending conference at Greymonth, and £25 voted to Cr. Seddon for visiting the southern part of the connty. In addition to the above sums are the following for buggy and horse hire:— £ s. d. 1377 3 15 0 1878 ... 28 14 0 1379 .:. 45 15 0 1880 ... 43 13 o 18S1 ... ... ... 95 8 0 Total ... ...£217.50 Of the-.£95 paid in 1881, £27 12s 6d was for horse and buggy hire incurred in the year 18S0.