"Semper Idem."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 437, 27 December 1918, Page 1

"Semper Idem."

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l note with much interest your report of the Annual Statutory Meeting of the Manukau Uounty Council, and find therein the usual annual self appreciation and backpatting amongst its members. The complimenting of the worthy chairman is quite in order, but you will notice it is awarded for the efficient manner in which he had conducted the meetings under his control during the year. This is as it should be; but from the passive manner in which the members glide over all difficulties and " pursue a policy of masterly inactivity," it does not require a very ferocious Chairman to keep order. It would have been mu<;h more to the purpose if they could have complimented each other on any one (or more) particular improvement benefitting the ratepayers in any one of the several ridings. Instead of this, when it comes to discussing hard facts, we find one live member asking why the arrears in rates due have increased from £l2l in 1916, to £l4l in 1917, and in reply he is put off with the old gag that it is the Maori rates mostly, and the solicitor is dealing with them. If the solid or is as sleepy a 9 itie Council it is time the solicitor was changed, and I feel sure the ratepayers would be interested to hear what part of the £l4l arrears is actually owing by white uieu ttnd not natives, and the actual amount ol the arrears reported to have now be. n Collected It is easy enough to evaUe the question and it the UuUucil cannot state these face after a tew minutes looking up of the books things are not up to date. Another live councillor (supported by the ditto before mentioned) asks particulars of the amount expended in the various Ridings and defies the Council to tell him how much has been spent in his particular Hiding, and further refers to " the unbusinesslike methods of the Council rtd»ptel in the expenditure ot its moneys" He might safely have touched upou the '' waste " while on the subject. I failed to rind any reply to this accusation, which is passed over in more back-patting—-for the staff this time. Go ahead ye live Councillors, and get jour house in order. There is too much talk without results, and instead of bragging about youv roads being better than those of the adjacent Counties (Heaven help us if they are worse), get to work, aud let your motto be " Deeds, not Words." There's enough wind in New Z 'aland without having it in our Council office, although a few breezos would do some good —I am, etc; ONLOOKEK.