The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1883. A PENNY-WISE POLICY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1048, 18 June 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1883. A PENNY-WISE POLICY.

At the last meeting of the County Council a letter was read from the clerk of that august body, prefering a request that his salary should be allowed to remain at £BO per year. He pointed out that £SO of that sum had hitherto been charged to the general account, and £3O to the Hospital; bnt, as the County had relinquished control of that institution he thought it necessary to bring the matter of his salary before the Council for consideration. It was stated that even without the Hospital work the amount of the “ screw” was not more than sufficient for the time occupied by the Council’s business. The letter was discussed, and one councillor proposed that the salary should remain at its present figure. Another proposed to give £SO and another £65, the latter agning that by doing so the clerk would be receiving a “ rise ” of £ls. This view was adopted by the majority, and the salary was accordingly fixed at £65. We venture to think that this parsimonious policy with regard to the servants of the Council is a mistake. If the Council desire to have their work done efficiently, they must pay something like a decent amount to keep a competent man ; and with all due respect we do not think £65 a year is sufficient for that purpose. There js really a great deal of labour involved in conducting the county affairs, far more perhaps than Councillors are aware of. Latterly the work has been well attended to, in spite of the muddled state of the books when the present clerk took charge, taken the circumstances favourably into account, and allowed things to remain as they were. We venture to suggest that at next meeting the matter should be reconsidered. Otherwise we feel sure that the post of clerk will become vacant, and there will be a difficulty in filling it. In justice to Mr Horner we should like to say that our remarks have not been prompted through any communication with him. We have heard the matter discussed by others, and the general opinion seems to be that it is a pity to risk further complications in County affairs for the sake of a few pounds. We know the Council as a body is “hard up;” but as almost all expenditure has ceased, their position must be improved before long, and they are daily becoming better able to afford payment for services rendered. There is another thing that we should like to mention while we are about it, and that is the present uncared-for state of the roads. Although the ConhciF cannot afford to maintain regular daymen to look after them, we think something in the shape of inspection might be attempted. If the chairman could be induced to pay occasional visits of inspection, and authorised to employ labour to make absolutely necessary repairs, it might be the means of saving a large sum of money to the County, We are not yet through the winter and a good deal of wet weather will be experienced before spring. At any time, therefore, slips may occur, and unless somebody becomes aware of them officially, and prompt steps are taken for their removal, there will be a risk of accident to life and property which is not pleasant for travellers to contemplate. We mention the Chairman, because at present no Engineer is employed, and the head of the Council to a certain extent must be looked to. At any rate, we think the suggestion worth considering.