COUNTY CLERKS MEET IN CONFERENCE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7008, 18 November 1932, Page 8

COUNTY CLERKS MEET IN CONFERENCE

Exchanging Views and Ideas DESIRE TO HELP LOCAL BODIES Tho annual conference of the Wellington district branch of tho New Zealand Institute of County Clerks was held in Palmerston' North yesterday, Mr. F. H. Hudson (Horowlicnua) presiding. Also present were Mrs." F. M. Baker (Danncvirkc), Miss K. E. Martin (Danncvirkc), and Messrs. N. 1. Nielsen (Kairanga), A. K. Drew (Manawatu), J. W. Harding (Hawera), A. Mabbot (Waimarino), H. W. Martin (Inglewood), A. E. Orgias (Pohangina), IT. Broadhcad (Waitotara), F. L. Nicol (Rangitikci), It. McKenzio (Rangitikei), E. T. Bcaven (Wairarapa), G. Derbyshire (Wanganui), F. Cowlam (Elcctahuna), 11. Nicholson (Rangitikci), S. L. Kent (Akitio), A. R. Carley (Akitio), C. Frcchtling (Horowhenua), R. E. Barnes (Masterton), K. E. Power (Masterton), F. A. Jones (Wairarapa South), L. Orr (Masterton), D. Crooks (Weber), W. L. Hosseltine (Kiwitea), W. M. Richardson (Pahiatua), J. M. Graham (Woodvillo), and J. C. D. Mackley (Masterton), secretary. “Since our last meeting,” said the chairman in addressing the meeting, "a good deal of water has run under the bridge of county administration and its difficulties. Nevertheless, I trust we shall meet in the same spirit as at our last annual meeting —that is, in a spirit of cheerfulness and optimism. In our work we come in close contact with the primary producers of the country. We realise the difficulties through which they are passing, and by the nature of that experience I think wo are becoming endowed with the quality of kind understanding and considerateness.

“I take it that at no time in tho history of this Dominion before have local body officials been called on to exercise greater care and considerateness in tbe tasks to which they have been called. We are expected to study very closely the difficulties of tho ratepayers, and I take it that our calling is more of a co-operative task, rather than the mere attending to duties during office hours. If we are to be successful, it i 3 incumbent on each one of us to consider tho standard of work which is done by us in our respective counties. Wliat I mean to say is this: In the general economic stress we must see that our methods are economically sound; that they are efficient; and that they are the best to meet the needs of the times. In that sense it is therefore necessary that we should have meetings of this kind from time to time in order that we may exchange ideas and, if necessary, bring ourselves to a realisation of the fact that there may be better methods used in various places thau we havo been adopting. That is the idea of the institute.

“We realise the difficulties through which the country is passing, and desire to do our part in the solving of the financial troubles and difficulties of our respective bodies and of tho Dominion as a whole, and to strike a note of optimism and hope for the future. I think we have to realise in our minds that, however difficult the times may be, it is not helpful if wo are pessimistic and downcast, and if we can’t see a faint glimmer of hope in the future. If we tackle the job in that spirit, I am sure we will bo of great service.”

Concluding, Mr. Hudson tendered a cordial welcome to the members and expressed pleasure at the attendance of representatives from outside of the Wellington district. He particularly welcomed Mr. Harding, the general secretary of the institute. Reporting in connection with tbe proposed Local Government Officers Bill, Mr. Harding said there was every possibility of it coming before Parliament during the present session. The bill had been drafted by tho institute in a very comprehensive form and covered all sorts of local body officers. AVitb amendments, it seemed that then was every chance of it becoming law, Road maintenance costing was the subject of a lengthy discussion, following tho presentation of a suggested method by Mr. Beaven. No decision was reached, and the matter will be further considered at a conference of county clerks, county engineers and departmental officers at an early date.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr. Hudson; vice-president, Mr. Richardson; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Mackley; auditor, Mr. Hutton; three members of tho executive, Messrs. Derbyshire, Bevan and Drew; branch representative on tho executive of the institute, Mr. Richardson. Tribute was paid by various speakers to the work of the officers, all of whom were re-elected.

The taking of land under the Pub lie Works Act was raised by Mr. Mabbot.

After discussion of certain particular cases, it was decided to recommend that the Public Works Act be amended on the lines of the English Act, so that the adaptability or suitability of a certain site should be taken into consideration when assessing compfensation. On the motion of Mr. Mabbot it was decided to reaffirm the desirability for the Native Lands Department to advise the Valuer-General and local authorities of the occupation by lease or otherwise of native land by Europeans. . The basis of the valuation of land

for tlie purposes of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act was raised by Mr. Derbyshire, and comment thereon was taken in committee. Mr. Drew brought up the matter of bank account's for loans, saying that tho Audit Department now insisted that a separate account be kept in the bank for each loan. This meant that there would be additional charges to pay. It was decided to ask tho institute to seek authority for the keeping of all loan money in one account. Before tho meeting concluded the chairman tendered thanks to the members for their assistance, saying that benefit accrued not only from tho discussion's, but in the fraternising of members. He wished all seasonal greetings. Mrs. Baker and Mr. Richardson reciprocated the chairman’s wishes. On the motion of Mr. Drew the City Council was thanked for courtesies extended to the visitors, and it was decided to make a grant of £2 to the Mayor’s Telicf fund. GOOD WISHES RECIPROCATED MEMBERS AT LUNCHEON A short toast list was honoured when the members sat down to luncheon, Mr. Hudson presiding. In proposing tho health of ‘‘The Visitors,, the chairman congratulated Palmerston North on having risen to the status of a city. A very line civic spirit tvas in evidence in Palmerston North, and one could not be blind to the fact that it was going to become a very large city; it had all the make-up to that end. The people took a very keen interest in their city, and its beauty was undeniable. Apart from that, Palmerston North had many civic enterprises which were of benefit to the people and were run on very sound lines.

Mr. Hudson regretted that Palmerston North found the times difficult, just as other parts of the Dominion. The members of the institute recognised that the problems of the towns were harder than those of the country dwellers, but the institute hoped that before it met again the present troubles would have passed. • The speaker apologised for the absence of the town clerk (Mr. J. It. Hardie), who had been called out of town, and extended a welcome in his stead to Mr. J'. P. McDavitt, assistant town clerk. The friendliest of relations existed between the Town Clerks’ Association and the Institute of County Clerks, and he trusted that the same feeling would continue. Both organisations desired to serve their respective local bodies to the best of their ability, and to take every opportunity of increasing their knowledge and ascertaining methods which were for the betterment of their employers. A welcome was also accorded by the chairman to Mr. E. G. Fuller, district audit inspector, Mr. Hudson saying he was thankful to be able to say that the Audit Department was always helpful to county clerks. He was sure that it was the desire of the department that clerks should not be slow in asking for help. In the course of his response, the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) Said that conferences such as that being held that day must bo of inestimable value to county clerks and must result in better working of the counties, particularly at a time like the present. He trusted that the country clerks’ stay in Palmerston North would be an enjoyable one, and that as a result of the conference they would bo ablo to surmount the difficulties that confronted them. He hoped that tho'se members who had not been to Palmerston North before would carry away happy recollections of their stay here. Mr. McDavitt congratulated the county clerks on having such a line organisation as the institute, which was not only helpful to its members, but to the country as well. Mr. Fuller said he hoped his association, with the various local body clerks would be as pleasant as it had been in other parts of the Dominion.