THE COUNTY OFFICES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 206, 13 June 1936, Page 6

THE COUNTY OFFICES.

Spy—Some months ago a statement was made by the then chairman of the Ashburton County Council, intimating that the Council were contemplating building new Council offices, to cost the modest sum of £I2,UUU‘, which by way 01 interest at 6 per cent represented only £6OO per year, a small item tor this Uounty. ‘l‘inie elapsed, and the Coun—cil proposed to cut the £12,000 for the white elephant down to £B,UUU' as about 95) per cent of the ratepayers appeared to he staggered at even £BOOO 101' new offices; quite a young elephant, and show or all trills and ornamentation. What for? is it pride or the County especially the roads~tlie Worst in the i’rovince everything considered; or is it pride of administration, as to mash up last year with a credit of £BIO7. surely it was a simple matter to create a huge credit when the rates for 1930-36 were 111 most cases 100 per cent. and more,

lugher than the previous year, yet anyone approaching lllcnlbers ol‘ the (loun(:11 for at little shingle on the wads, was told that lullds would 1101; allow it.

Most ratepayers were hoping, 101' a poll on tho mutt/or, and 1 21111 sure that n, would, have been lost by t) to one, but perhaps the nnqultous .big rate was struck so as to avoid a, poll and cer—tain disaster to this colossal scheme, which is in no respect economical. Could Councillors. ten us any County omces costing, £BOOO. 15y the wax; at a. Power Board election a, your or tWo ago many ratepayers were out to annihilate some or the. members of the board, due to Power Board’s extravagant expenditure, and

included in the protestors were some members of the County Council. It almost seems as though this was not warranted, compared to the County Councillors method of business, which has of late been done to a great extent “in committee,” and this surely is not fair to the ratepayers. Anyhow, those members of the Power Board who were to be exterminated will never need to blush when compared to some Oeunty Councillors, when it comes to extravagance and spending ratepayers’ money. The Power Board offices cost less than £4OOO and this amount should be ample [or County offices. I wonder how many Councillors had a re—valuation before the iniquitous 1935—36 rate was struck, but reference to the Irate-book would satisfy this. Will Councillors names be on the foundation stone of the small elephant and paid for by ratepayers, and will an extra caretaer be required to keep it clean, and with a “commissionaire" to open Uouncillbrs’ car doors, and take their hats and coats. In regard to the clerk’s residence, would it be impudent to ask if it will be of two or three storeys, as the estimated price looks big enough. I would like to remind Councillors that the average ratepayefls home does not cost £750, half the estimates of the clerk’s residence, and I know ratepayers who say that if they had a few pounds to spare, they would add one or two rooms to their small homes. One man said he could paint his own house, doing the work himself, with the extra he paid in rates for 1935-36. These remarks are in no way of a. personal nature toward the clerk. Suppose we

had at any time a clerk, who was single occupying a house costing £ISOO. If a county clerk gets £6 per week, or more, why not let him provide his own housing, which might save the Coun—cil’s funds, as no renovations or up—keep would he required. Maybe the Government will grant the honour to Councillors of the prefix “Hon.” to their names, for their Hitlerised meth ads of spending . B UN K El’. ED .