NO ONE TO SUPERVISE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 607, 8 March 1929, Page 11

NO ONE TO SUPERVISE

TAUMARUNUI’S UNIQUE POSITION REDUCED COUNCIL PROPOSED (From. Our Oven Correspondent) TAUMARUNU I, Thursday. Affairs have not moved with serene calm in the Taumarunui Borough Council of late, and at the last meeting several important matters discussed showsd that there is a strong current of opposition to the present order of things.

A notice of motion by Cr. G. F. Thompson, that the constitution of the council be reduced from nine councillors and the Mayor, to six councillors and the Alayor, was defeated, though the Mayor, Mr. G. E. Manson, gave it bis support. Opposition also met a proposal of the Alayor’s, that steps be taken to appoint a borough engineer at a salary of £364, rising to £4OO in four years. It was finally decided to refer the matter of appointment of borough officials to a special committee, consisting of the Mayor and Crs. S. R. Dryland, C. A. Boles and G. F. Thompson. This committee will also overliaud the whole question of reorganisation in the borough, which is at present in the unique position of having no inspectors, engineer or foremen to carry out supervising work. At the same meeting of the council a letter was received from a ratepayer, Air. R. D. Lee, alleging an illegal action against Cr. D. M. Simmons, in that the latter was said to have received a payment for certain council insurance business in excess of that allowed by law. In view of the importance of the matter it lias been referred to the proper authorities for a decision.