The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 182, 6 January 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877.

We can fairly congratulate the new County Council on the start that they have made, and also on the good sense exhibited by a large majority of the Councillors in bringing the whole Act into operation; instead of being a body without a soul as it wore, a corporation without vital power. That matter is. we are glad to say. settled, and does not need further reference. 'Hie next matter for consideration is. however, when fair work may bo expected to set in. As a matter of course before this can be expected an official staff must be in fair working order and this cannot bo gathered together at a moment’s notice. As things stand at present a Secretary, Treasurer, and Collector, the three offices embodied in one person, only, is provided*for, but at the same +ime the Road Boards are to bo asked to pay a share of the cost of an engineer. This is only fair, and we should think they would gladly contribute to the maintenance of a competent officer of the kind- Hitherto they have either paid extravagantly, or not paid at all, and in all cases have been somewhat slovontly served. Such a result might be expected when officer's are detached To what d 'sJep-iO’ia expressed as t; a

divided duty,” and it is to bn hoped that the Hoad Boards will cordially co-operate with the Comity Council, in procuring the services of a first-class professional imiu to take charge of all works, major or minor, as the case may be. On the appointment of Secretary, a groat deal will depend, for on him really the chief administrative work will fall. The Council in this department are determined that their officer shall not be idlo. They have resolved that he shall bo Clerk, Treasurer, and Collector —quite enough to employ any man’s time, especially as far as the last-named office is concerned. In future issues wc shall have much more to say on County affairs, but in the meantime wo can conscientiously say that the new Council has made a very good beginning, and promises to be a most effective and useful working body. As will be seen iheir next meeting will take place on the 6th of February next.