LUCKY TOWN CLERKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3064, 8 December 1908, Page 7

LUCKY TOWN CLERKS.

Speaking at. the inaugural dinner -of the Local Government Clerks' -Association atSvdnevlast week (says | the "Daily Telegraph"). Mr J. D. Fitzgerald cited the multitudinous \ duties of town clerks, and showed an intimate knowledge of the calls made -upon these officials. Apart from having a olose acquaintance with the provisions of about a dozen Acts of Parliament, it required at least sixteen separate ofFcials rolled into one tu properly constitute a 'town clerk. He must firot be an expert in local government, then a lawyer—able to elucidate at a moment's notice any knotty point in connection with the Local Government or any other Act. He must <be a bookkeeper, an accountant, and ; a correspondence clerk. His duties as sanitary inspector pre-suppose a sounJ elementary knowledge of ; chemistry analysis, and a special knowledge of Kosher meat. Again, he must be a valuator, and a rate collector whose cheerful smile can coax from reluctant ratepayers any amount of arrears, while his frown can portend the inevitable \j legal remedies which attend delinquents. Also he must be the registrar of voters, the returning officer with the unwelome casting vote, and the pubfic prosecutor. His "spare time" can be utilised by his ' work as road superintendent, gas engineer, and collector, poundkeeper for stray cows and goats, and caterer on occasions of mayoral hospitality. Added to this he is expected to be the guide, philosopher, and friend to the Mayor, aldermen, and the citizens generally.