NO CONTRIBUTION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 243, 3 June 1932, Page 6

NO CONTRIBUTION

iNSPECTOR'S SALARY SUPERYISION UNDER NEW TRANSPORT LICENSING ACT. "GLARING MIS-STATEMENT." Strong oxception to the attitude of tlie 1 varisport Department in refusthe Coua-ii's request to contribute Loward au increase in the Borottgh ; Tralhe Inapector's salary as a return ; for the additional work entailed thvougn iussp action duties under the Traasipoit Licensing Act, was voiced by ihe Mayor, (Mr. T. Jackson) at Wednesciay evening's meeting of the Rotorua Borough Counci when a leng thy letter was received from the Department statmg that on the score of economy, the suggested contribution could not be maat. At the previous meeting of tne Council, the Department wrote suggesting that the Council permit ics mspector to act as inspector under the new regulations. It was pointed out by the Mayor, however, that considerabie extra work would be entailed, and in view of this fact, and also the loss sustained by the Council through losing heavy traffic license fees under the Act, it was decided to request the Department to contribute toward an increase in the ispector'n sa'lary. In the course of the letter received at Wednesday evening's meeting, tlio Department contended that the national and district benefits accuring from the new transport regulations would more than compensate the Council for any loss it had sustained, and stated that owing to the restricted finances of the Department the suggested contribuion could not be entertained. Glaring Mis-Statemeni. "I would like to say, gentlemen, that for a glaring mis-statement of the positon, I have never seen the equal of this letter," said the Mayor (Mr. T. Jackson) when the letter was read. Cr. A. Smith: I think so, too. Mr. Jackson described as "absolute balderdash" the statement that the supervision under the Act would improve the collection of heavy traffic licenses. The Council's inspector had always exercised that supervision, and in any case the purpose of the Act was to cut down traffic licenses. The statements in the letter were contradictory. "I consider that in view of the fact that this Department has confiscated the fees accruing to the local bodies from traffic licenses, it should be called upon to shoulder the responsibility for its own administration," said Mr. Jackson. "I do not think that the operation of the Act in this district at least will make any appreciable difi'erence to the wear and tear on the ; oads." County Attitude. Cr. G. Urquhart expressed the opliaon that the Council should ascertain he attitude of the Rotorua County rouncil in the matter. The inspector • as engaged on country work for a •air proportion of his time, and~he con jidered the Council should be in har-

mony with the County Council on the matter. "Anyway, who is going te pay for all these Transport Boards and this Appeal Board that has been round? That is where our fees are going," concluded Cr. Urquhart, The Mayor: I know it is. That is what I object to. Cr. Smith suggested that the Council should again represent the facts of the case to the Department, and on ihe suggestion of Cr. O. H. Coleman, agreed to incorporate in a motion to this effect a recommendation that the attitude of the County Council be aseertained. The Mayor said that the D'epartment incorrectly claimed that the Main Highways Board subsidised the wages of the Council's inspector. Actually, the County Council received this subsidy, not the Borough Council. The inspector had a number of duties to perform, and was entitled to an increase in salary for the additional work that would be entailed in the transport supervision. It was finally decided to adopt Cr. Smith's suggestion and make further representations after rst aseertaining the attitude of the County Council.