Notices of Motion.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4707, 7 February 1884, Page 2

Notices of Motion.

The following notice of motion, tabled about three months back by Cr Bagnall, then came on for consideration:—-"1. That [" from Ist January ult." was afterwards interlineated] separate accounts be kept of the receipts and expenditure of each riding of the County. 2. That the permanent charges for interest, salaries, office expenditure, travelling expenses, and advertising, except such as should be charged to any of the ridings, be a first charge on the gross revenue of the Council, and be charged pro rata to each riding. 3. That no expenditure be incurred in any riding until it is shown that there is a balance to the credit of such riding after all deductions are made according to the preceding section. 4. That the whole of the profit of the water race be applied to the payment of the bank overdraft. 5. That the Treasurer prepare a statement showing the receipts and expenditure of each riding and the profits of the water race from the commencement of the pre» sent financial year' as a basis to work from."—The mover said the object of his resolution was to enable the Council to in future keep its expenditure within the limits of its receipts, which, nnder the present system it was impossible to do, because grants were not made to the districts in accordance with the revenue coming from them. He explained at length the working of the proposed reform, showing that by setting aside the receipts from the water race for the purpose, they

would soon have the overdraft cleared,

and be able to divide the race receipts among the districts.—Cr Porter seconded and spoke in favor of the project, wbjch, he considered, would put the County's finances on a much sounder basis. There had been too much in the past of each Councillor securing for his own district what he could, which gave rise to discontent, if one district had more spent in it than the members of other districts

thought it entitled to.—Cr Thorburn complained that the works promised for the Hastings riding when the overdraft was increased some two years back had not beeu carried out, and he expressed himself in rather strong terms as to the neglect in the carrying out of pledges.—Cr Deeble agreed with the proposals in the main,

but did not think it was fair that a dis

trict should be shut up, and no money allowed to bo spent, because at the time it had not a balance to its credit.—'The

Chairman expressed a similar opinion, but both he and Cr Bull thought their districts would not suffer by the innovation.—After some further discussion, the first and second sections of the resolution were carried, the remaining three being withdrawn.

Cr Bagnall then moved, as per notice,—

"That no further payments be passed for contracts under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act until the Government Engineer has inspected and approved the works." He said complaints, both verbal and in writing, had been made of the way in which contracts were being carried out, and as they had already paid two-thirds of the contract money, it would be best for a Government engineer to examine the works, as if the County engineer passed it, and the contractors were paid, and the Government official did not think the specifications had been carried out, some bother would be caused. He had no intention of the motion being taken as a vote of censure on Mr Aitken, County Engineer, aud it was with that gentleman's approval that he had moved the resolution. Cr Porter seconded, and Cr Murdoch spoke in favor of the resolution, which was carried.

Cr Bagnall then moved—" That the special rates in the Ohinemuri and Totara special rating districts be not collected for current year, and that the debenturea falling due in March next ensuing be paid out of the County fund.." Both he and Cr Porter, who seconded, spoke in favor of the resolution, the Chairman.' and Crs X)eehlo and "Murdoch opposing.—The motion was negatived on the voices. This was all the business.