BOROUGH CONTROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 7

BOROUGH CONTROL.

GENERAL MANAGER SCHEME ADOPTED. MR. F. T. BELLRINGER APPOINTED. The general manager scheme was further discussed by the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. Cr. Clarke moved and Cr. Hayden seconded that the report of the committee be adopted. The latter supported the proposal on the ground that it was a step in the right direction. In regard to the objection that it would lessen the interest of councillors in the business of the borough, he thought that the opposite would be the result, and, further, the council would be in a better position to deal with the larger policy problems which should come before it. His experience of council business satisfied him that it was a good move. In reply to Cr. Hill, "it was stated [that the engineers would be responsible, through the general manager, to the | council. The manager would have no power to amend reports made by the | engineers, Cr. Short was of opinion that unless the councillors had a knowledge of the details of matters brought before them they would not be in a position to take an intelligent interest in these matters. Only the chairman of each committee, with the general manager and the | engineer, would be aware of the details which would enable an intelligent conclusion to be arrived at. He thought if the scheme was carried there would be no need for more than the Wire's councillors who would be the chairmen of the three committees suggested. It was pointed out that all the committees would do would be to bring down recommendations for the council's consideration, and the council would then have to fully consider the whole question, A question was asked as to the cost of administration under the scheme, and, while it was admitted that the [cost might be increased, there would be greater efficiency, and that would in time result in an economy of expenditure. It was further pointed out that much of the work which was proposed to be undertaken by committees was, under the present system, done by the Mayor alone. * The voting on the motion was as follows:—For, Crs. Clarke, Hayden, (Brooker, Parkin and Collis; against: Crs. Short, Hill, and Griffiths. The engineers stated they approved the appointment of Mr. Bellringer as general manager, and assured him and the council of their whole-hearted cooperation. Mr. Bellringer thanked the council for approving the scheme and appointing him to the position. Ho wished the council had been unanimous on the matter, but he hoped the co-operation of councillors would be given li'im. The change over would take a little time,' but lie was sure the system would prove satisfactory, though it, depended upon the ability of the general manager to keep liia end up. He assured the council that he would not spare himself in the endeavor to carry the scheme to a successful issue.