COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 July 1925, Page 2

COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

IS THE COST UNDULY HIGH? At Saturday’s meeting of the Horowhenua County Council a letter -was received from the President of the New Zealand Counties Association pointing out that the statement was being made that tlie cost of administration of County Councils was extravagant, and an effort was being made by the Motor Associations to seek the appointment of a commission of enquiry. The writer believed that the percentage of administrative cost was apparently high, because in many counties items were wrongly charged to administration that did not really belong to that account. An illustration was given where £4OO legal expenses had been charged to management, thereby giving quite a wrong percentage of management costs. He asked for certain Information that would enable the relation of administrative cost to revenue to be ascertained. The Chairman moved that the information be supplied. A move had been made by certain people in Wellington who said that County admintration was much too high, averaging 9 per cent, of receipts as against 5 per cent, in the Public Works Department. He believed the idea was that there should be‘larger local bodies or that the Counties be merged into some other conncern. He had gone into the position of the Horowhenua County with the Clerk, and found that there were certain matters that, in accordance with the Government schedule had been retained under the administrative heading which should properly be charged to maintenance, and not management. There was insurance for instance £IBB. What was really wanted was a new form. Tlie present form was filled and sent to the Government, who published the percentage in the statistics and the Automobile Association, who were moving in the matter simply took it from the book. “We don’t mind this criticism a scrap,’’ said the chairman. In answer to Cr. Catley. The chairman said the Horowhenua County’s percentage of administrative coot to rates was given at 9.11. The Boroughs were comparatively low because their areas were compact. Cr. Catley said .some of the County percentages went, up to» 34 per cent, and the Rangitikei County was down as low as 34 per cent. The Chairman: Yes, but we don’t know how their return was filled in., Cr. Catley considered such criticism should not he stifled. These were times when tlie strictest economy was necessary and prodigality of expenditure should be prevented. He would even ask the critics to go further and show where savings could be made. The Clerk said it would happen that a low-rated County would show a high percentage oif administrative charges' to revenue and a county with high rates and bigger revenue com u out with a low percentage.