CITY SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 23 May 1933, Page 8

CITY SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.

CR. ARCHER ASKS TO BE RELIEVED. Because of his many duties as Deputy-Mayor and as a member of several committees, Cr. J. K. Archer asked the Christchurch City Council last night to relieve him from his position as a City Sinking Fund Commissioner. When his resignation was accepted, Cr. Archer proposed Mr J. McCombs, M.P., for the vacant seat; but this motion was lost and the appointment of the commissioner was referred to the Finance Committee for a report Cr. Archer said that because of his many duties as a member of various committees, and on the Hospital Board, he would like to resign his position as a sinking fund commissioner. Cr. Lyons moved that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee for a report. Cr. Thacker moved as an amendment that Cr. Archer's resignation should be accepted. This was seconded by Cr. A. E. Armstrong. The amendment was carried. Cr. Archer then moved that Mr J. McCombs, M.P., should be appointed to fill the vacancy.

Fee of £SO. Cr. E. H. Andrews moved an amendment that the matter should be referred to the By-laws and Finance Committee for report. If the position was held outside the council, the holder received a fee of £ 50. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) said that apparently a fixed amount of £2OO was distributed each year between the three commissioners and their solicitors, Messrs Duncan, Cotterill, and last year two commissioners had each received £SO and the firm had received £IOO on account of extra work. Cr. Archer had received no payment. Cr. M. E. Lyons, seconding the amendment, referred "to Mr McCombs's frequent absences from Christchurch. He thought one of the commissioners should be a member of the council. The time was not far distant when the council might have to make a closer investigation of its sinking fund policy. The Mayor emphasised Mr J. McCombs's qualities and said he could vote whole-heartedly for the motion. The amendment was carried by 10 votes to seven, Crs. Mathison, Armstrong, Thacker, and Evans all voting with the Citizens' Association's group.