Amalgamation Question.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 610, 21 May 1891, Page 2

Amalgamation Question.

MORE LIFE IN IT THAN EVER. At the Harbor Board’s meeting on Tuesday night the question of amalgamation of offices came up. Mr Bright moved for a return of wharfages outstanding to date, with a list of manifests. He understood that the greater part of the Whatfinger's time was taken up through the system of credit, and that a host of credit accounts were kept. Mr Shelton seconded the motion. There was a discussion as to how this system of credits came to be allowed, and the opinion might be summed up with Mr DeLautour's remark that the syatem had been drifted into. Mr Bright said he laid no blame whatever upon Mr Witty. As tn amalgamation the Chairman thought the County had virtually shelved the question, but Mr Bright said as the Board were the original movers they could not well withdraw from the matter at (hat stage. Mr Arthur spoke against amalgamation, and Mr Joyce repeated hie former declaration. Mr DeLautour thought the matter ought to be decided that night. The County might be left out of consideration, judging by their attitude as indicated in the newspapers, and in regard to the Borough it did not matter which body moved first. Ho moved—- " That applications be invited for persona wishing to undertake the office of Secretary to the Board, applicant to be allowed to undertake the duties of Town Clerk it appointed. Applications tn ba sent in by next meeting. The whole time of applicant, if appointed, to be given to th'e duties of the office, except in the case of his appointment to the office of Clerk to the Borough, where he may as heretofore conduct the two offices of Secretary to the Board and Town Clerk, subject to such additional duties ae Secretary as the Board may see fit to impose upon him. Secretary to ba responsible for all moneys payable to the Board, whether from ra’a% dues, wharfages collected, or from any other source. Secretary to ba guaranteed in some Fidelity Guarantee Company approved of by the Board, to the extent of £500." lit necessary, he said, there could be an ajustment of the position as to wharfinger, etc. They did not require officers in distinctly different departments. x Mr Shelton thought they should defer de. ciding on the matter of position of offices. He favored amalgamation especially on account of the check system, and said that all experience was in its favor, and every experienced man to whom he bad spoken wee in favor ot the proposed re-arrangement. A system could very well be es'ablhhod by which the chances of defalottion could ba minimised. The local bodies had never before had such an opportunity, and time should be given to carefully consider the matter.

Mr Sievwright said that the advantages to be gained by amalgamation were so great that he would be inc’lned to wait ana see what the County Council would decide. In reply to Mr Joyce, Mr Shelton said if there was a proper system the defalcations that had taken place could not have occurred.

Mr Bright had seen nothing in print or elsewhere to came him to give way ia hia opinion that amalgamation would be an excellent thing. The more power there was concentrated in one man the greater was tbe liability to fraud. There was no such thing in reality as that there were three masters—the body of ratepayers would be the master. A clerk would not be afficted by any dispute between the I odies. He had not heard a single good reason to weigh against the principle of amalgamation. As to the details there was a slight alteration necessary in regard to the salaries proposed at first.

Mr Arthur said he did not feel crushed. He thought they could have a system of check by which they could control the officers without ama'gimation. The Chairman thought the reasons given by County Councillors were very weak. They wished to retain Mr Warren's services on account of the efficient way he carried out his work, but they wished to do away with the chance of paying a good salary to a thoroughly efficient man. The local bodies had got on now since their commencement without di-putes of great importance. He strongly supported amalgamation. Mr Arthur said they had already had such experience. The Chairman said the late Secretary had matters all in his own hands.

Mr DeLautour favored amalgamation, but it did not seem from the attitude of tbe County Council that it would be carried. Mr Shelton sail he had since conversed with some of the Councillors, and heard that they had not thoroughly understood the matter, and be believed they would reconsider it, the same as the Borough Council had done—in fact he thought their action arose a good deal from the way the Borough had thrown out the question when the County bad agreed to take it up. Mr Sievwright said they wanted efficiency and economy, and they could beat gat that by amalgamation ; it ought to act much better than any attempt at “ cheeseparing." Mr Bright’e motion was carried unanimously, and Mr DeLautour's was withdrawn tor the time being.