CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8068, 27 March 1906, Page 3

CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES.

THE MUNICIPAL PRUNJNG . KNIFE.

Tke ttiueli-vcxed question of municipal retrenchment was responsible for 11 late sitting of the New Plymouth Borough Council 011 Monday night, the meeting concluding about 11.15 p.m., or exactly an hour after the failure of Crs fining and Wilson to secure an adjournment of the Council to Friday croningyiext, the Councillors evidently being determined, as Cr Stohr advised " to stick at it, and get the job done." There Was a good attendance of - the public at the meeting. The Mayor set the ball rolling, and outlined a scheme of staffing, which lie advocated as follows, moving its adoption: I'£ s d I Town Clerk, Bate collector. Borough Solicitor, and . Treasurer .325 0 0 Cadet 70 0 0 Typist ... 40 0 0 Engineer and Sanitary Inspector 200 0 0 Reservoir caretaker „. 104 o.' 0

739 0. 0 skowing an estimated saving of £539 per annum ou tho present staffing arrangement. Cr. Collis seconded.

Cr. Brooking moved as an amendment, "that the Council first define what officers are required to carry on the work qf tke borough, and afterwards decide what the salaries shall be." -

Seconded by Cr. Monteatli, and lost. Cr. Brooking moved a further amendment, that the Town Clerk bo rate collector (to sue for rates, etc), valuer, and treasurer, and find his own office staff at a salary of £'3oo a year. In seconding,(Cr. Monteatli pointed to .jthe yery satisfactory manner in ■wliich the harbour and county rates were collected without legal assistance. Cr.. Hutjekfn objected to the Xown Clerk acting as Borough solicitor. The Mayor said tkat Mr Samuel was the Council's legal adviser now , and coiild still be retained. The amendment was lost.

Cr. Ewing moved a further amendment lo give the Town Clerk £350 011 same liues as Cr. Brookings scheme | Cr. Brooking seconded. Cr. Webster could not sec any sense in cutting down a good man's salary. Cr. Monteatli said the Clerk's was lightened now tkat tke loan expenditure was "about done: " ■- -

Or. Collis differed. Keeping the electric light- accounts would more than compensate for that. The amendment was lost.

Cr. Hutchen moved .that the Town Clerk be appointed at a salary of £3OO. to be rate collector, valuer, and treasurer, but net Borough solicitor. Seconded by Cr Ewing, and carried. I Cr. Wilson .then moved to add the words, '( that the Town Clerk advise the Council on such questions as may be referred to him by the Council," He considered Mr Bellrlngei' nioro ablq than any other gentleman in Now Plymouth to "advise the Council on municipal law. The Mayor seconded. . Carried by 7 to 3. : Cr Ewing's scheme to the offices of Borough engineer, sanitary engineer, and electrical engineer, it a salary of LSOO a year drew from Cr Collis the remark that if a man of such extraordinary ability existed at all lie tfas probably gettihg L2OOO or L3OOO a year, ■ The amendment was losl,

The item " Borough and sanitary engineer, L 200," was scouted, and in ifs place was put " Borough and sanitary engineer at L3UO per annum," tins being eventually csjrpjpjL A resolution was subsequently carried, to give notice of termination of the engagements of the officers affected. The reservoir cafetaker's salary was fiwd at £2Hs per week of seven days, Mr Black ■was appointed electrical engineer in full charge of the electrical works, to report direct to tile Couueii, at £225 Mr annum, and the electrical staff is otherwise unchanged. ' -f£e salary tjf theToftn Hall caretaker was increased' from £7B to £B4 10s pep annum. It was decided jo reduce the expenses at the municipal baths,