Retrenchment Run Mad.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 71, 24 November 1887, Page 3

Retrenchment Run Mad.

•• A PENNY WISE," Ac. At the County Council meeting yesterday the following discussion took place on the question of fixing the salaries and duties of the officers :— / Or King would like the question of salaries to be left over until Councillors were made aware of the financialposition of the Council. They did 'riot want to interfere with the salaries .at the present time if it could be Cr Twohey thought the question ■honld be dealt with as soon as pocjible. Cr Wallace considered the salaries ought to be defined at once, also that the estimates be ma le out. He proposed that the salaries remain as at preset. j Cr Stubbs seconded, paying a high .tribute to the abilities of Captain "Winter and the Countv Clerk. • Cr Twohey propose! a? an amendjrient, and Cr King seconded, that it£e question stand over till next meeting. Th* amendment was lost. Cr Twohey then proposed, as a further amendment, that the Engineer’s

salary be reduced by £lOO, and the Clerk by £5O. He thought they were paying these officers too much, looking at the Council’s financial position. Cr King said, looking at the times, he would second the amendment. dr Stubbs said the condition of the Council was unabered from last year. It would be noticed that two Road Boards were being merged, and more w. rk would have to be done Mr Warren had great responsibility. He had never met anyone who had the local acts at their finger ends, ns Mr Warren had, and the Council had much to thank him for. In one instance Mr Warren had saved about £7OO to the Council.

Cr Wallaee paid a high compliment to both the Engineer and County Clerk for the manner in which they had fufilled their duties.

The Chairman, while agreeing with Crs Stubbs and Wallace, said in the present financial position- of the Council he Would have to support the amendment.

The amendment was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.