"A Ratepayer” and the County Chairman.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 November 1904, Page 2

"A Ratepayer” and the County Chairman.

TO TIIE EDITOR. Sir, —In your last issue the County Chairman demolishes with a triumphant air my estimates based on figures given by councillors two elections ago, evidently not seeing that there is blame attachable to somebody when ratepayers have to rely on antediluvian figures—darkness indeed. £l,lOO for rates, gum, dog and vehicle licenses, with a five farthing rate and fields swarming with -diggers, is evidence of itself that ratepayers are losing hundreds of pounds. It is amusing to see the County Chairman unconsciously proclaiming the Tammany maxim of multiplicity of “jobs.” Tammany would appoint triends of its set to occupy its sinecures without even the semblance of giving outsiders a chance to apply and compete. But of course neither the Chairman nor the Council would be a party t-o such tactics. .

The Chairman fails to give reasons for his preference for three individuals, to do the work of one man. It cannot be efficiency, or real cheapness. Mr. Wilkinson knows he could not employ three men on his farm, each to give only onethird of his time (one to milk, one to plough, third to do sundry, jobs), and find them as cheap and satisfactory as one man giving his whole time to the duties as they came. For his salaiy the Clerk cannot be expected to do more than routine duty demands; for £l4O the Council does not get the rates and licenses properly collected, and so it is dear at the price; for £6O the Council cannot get the roads properly looked after all the year round, ana a report of requirements sent to each meeting—much of the work would still have to be done , by Councillors, is what Mr. Wil- \ ,f'~ \ / '

kinson wishes to avoid—and so is inadequate. For about- the same sum (£250) a wellqualified person, perhaps not a real engineer, could afford to give his whole time to the work. There are many men in New Zealand who have the requisite knowledge of road-work, and could do the clerking and book-keeping satisfactorily. Much of the ranger’s salary must be absorbed in travelling expenses, but his ex’s would be little more if road inspector as well. If the road inspector is anothet individual the ex’s would be greatly increased, and the Usefulness of reduced bjrong -'imagine, Mr. WilkjlTSufiT^ your ranger unable to deal with broken culverts, and your inspector unable to deal with unlicensed dogs and diggers he may discover! The duties of councillors scorn to require a general capacity even beyond the above, yet the Chairman informs us there is no one in the County fit to fill the above positions. If the statement were correct is it not a tacit confession of the impotence of councillors for their duties ? —a reflection on prospective members and a strong reason for advertising for a competent person as clerk, ranger and clerk of works ? It is highly probable he would have enough administrative ability to guide the Council where needed* and, haring a clear knowledge of accounts, could avoid “outrunning the constable.” As Mr. Powell owes his seat originally to his able advocacy of the idea of a road inspector to be clerk and ranger, it •wall be interesting to see If he stands to his guns now or betakes himself to the refuge of weak-kneed M’s. P.—absence, As the matter has been ventilated and will be settled immediately, I need wot allude to it again, and as for councillors, well, “ actions will speak louder than words.” Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for the valuable space occupied with the discussion, I am, etc., A RATEPAYER.