COUNTY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 278, 24 November 1939, Page 5

COUNTY COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

Wellington Branch of 1 County Clerks Confer YESTERDAY’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE Tho annual conference of the Wellington district branch of tho New Zealand Institute of County Clerks was held in Palmerston North yestcrda3'. The president, Air. A. K. Drew (Afanawatu), was in the chair, and the following members were present:—Alessrs. ’ F. 11. Hudson (Horowhenua), H. H. Richardson (Rangitikei), N. I. Neilscn I(Kairanga), J. C. D. Alackley (Alasterton), J. Hutton (Pahiatua), W. L. Hesr seltinc (Kiwitea), A. E. Orgias (Polianj £i n &), G. Darbyshire (Wanganui), E. W. Eunson (Akitio), H. H. Hardinge ! (Feathcrston) and E. T. Beaven (Wairarapa South), and the following associate members:—Alessrs. S. L. Orr j (Alanawatu), S. 1,. Kent (Alanawatu), I G. L. Challis (Alasterton), A. V. Brown . (Rangitikei), J. A. AlcCool (Alana- . watu), L. L. Jones (Rangitikei), K. AI. Miller (Alasterton) and B. E. Beaven j (Wairarapa South). Alembers from I other branches present were: Alessrs. jJ. W. Harding (Ilawera), F. T. Robinsoil (Gisborne) and J. AI. Graham (Woodvillc). Apologies were received from Alessrs. A. Alabbott (Waimarino), W. N. Richardson (Eketahuna), G. J. Broker (Patea), J. L. Campbell (Stratford), K. E. Power (Alasterton), R. E. Barnes (Alasterton), O. Grant (Featherston), W. Broadhead (Waitotara), F. Nicol (Rangitikei), R. AlcKenzie (Rangitikei), F. Jones (Rangitikei), A. W. E. Bragge (Cook) and H. Pickford (Makara). Alessrs. J. A. AlcCool (Alanawatu) and B. E. Beaven (Wairarapa South) were elected associate members of tho institute.

Air. J. Hutton paid complimentary reference to tho manner in which the president, Air. A. Tv. Drew, had carried out his duties during tho year. Air. 11. H. Richardson complimented Air. Drew on the comprehensive report ho had presented to the meeting and said that J Mr. Drew took a livo interest in the affairs of the institute and. its members. His personal contact with tho various heads of Government departments was of value to the members as it gave him valuable information. "The past year has been one of difficulties," said Air. Richardson. "For some years wo have always had new matters brought before us, but during the past year they have been accentuated. Those who remember the last war know that a great responsibility will rest on the shoulders of the executive head of a local body." Air. F. 11. Hudson, tho Dominion president of the institute, supported the remarks of previous speakers. Air. Drew thanked the speakers for their kindly reference and said that it had been a pleasure to him to assist tho work of the institute. A paper was presented by Mr. J. C. D. Alackley, of Alasterton, dealing with "Public Contracts" as they affected local bodies. A very full paper was presented covering a wide variety of contracts affecting local bodies and proved of much interest to members. Luncheon was held at the Rosco tearooms, at which Mr. W. R. Hopcroft, chairman of the Ivairanga County Council, was present and also Air. T. 11. Crosby, of the Valuation Department, Wellington. Following tho luncheon the conference continued in tho afternoon, when Air. Crosby gave a talk on matters dealing with the Valuation of Land Act and how it affects local bodies, particularly county councils. This was the first occasion on which an officer of a Government department has addressed the institute. Air. Crosby was listened to with interest and some useful information was obtained on both sides during a discussion which followed his talk. The president thanked Air. Crosby for attending the conference and expressed the hoxie that this would be the forerunner of many more talks by officers of Government departments. President’s Review The president, Air. A. K. Drew, said he wms pleased to welcome all to the conference, particularly visitors from other branches, somo of whom had come long distances. "Your interst, co- '

operation and enthusiasm speaks well for tho future of tho institute," said Air. Drew.

In referring to the war, Air. Drew said that all the love we havo for honour, justice and our heritage of liberty and freedom once more called us to war. Now Zealand had answered that call and stood shoulder to shoulder with the old land. A number of local body officials had already joined up with the forces and many more would do so. In the days which were ahead, local body officers would be called upon to undertake extra duties, in fact a largo number were already doing so. "In whatever spliero we find ourselves we can all serve and I feel sure that members of this institute will give their wholehearted support in carrying out any national duties required of them. Wo must remember that these duties tako first place in our life," he added. During the last year it had fallen to the lot of members of tho institute to assist in the compilation of records and other matters relative to our Centennial celebrations. Although this might have entailed an expenditure of long hours and hard work in some cases, ho was sure that the experience and knowledge gained had been beneficial to those carrying out tho work and that their efforts had assisted materially in bringing beforo tho public the large part rural government played in the life of the community.

Continuing, Air. Drew said he would like to stress one point recently made by the Alinister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, regarding rural government, when he stated that it was becoming increasingly evident as time passed that the history of local government in the Dominion was being gradually lost and that, if in tho future an authoritative histoiy of local government was to be written, then those who have responsibilities in administration should be in a position to supply authentic records for that history. Ilis suggestion that all papers and documents in which the history of each individual county is found should bo carefully guarded, will, he trusted, receive hearty support. In referring to tho Exhibition and our Centennial celebrations, Air. Drew said he strongly recommended members to support them in every way possible. During tho past year district committees had been set up in county areas to carry out tho provisions of tho Physical Welfare Recreation Act. "Jt is recognised," said Air. .Drew, "that

urban local authorities have definite functions in relation to tho social lii’o of the peoplo within its jurisdiction. If this was so, surely the inhabitants of counties, who comprise one-fifth of the population of New Zealand, should also have similar facilities provided for them. Although it may be difficult to get going in some areas, it behoves all of us to co-operate in this movement so that the peoplo in districts controlled by our respective local authorities should have available amenities compatible with those provided in cities and fowns."

“In conversation with a member of our instituto the - other day, he expressed the hope that the Rural Housing Act would come up for .discussion

at our meeting. I doubt if time will permit to-day, but as it is an important measure it will certainly furnish the ground for an interesting discussion at a future date. The powers given under the Act to county councils to assist farmers to provide housing accommoda- | tion on their properties was, in his opinion, a step in the right direction, and it will be interesting to follow tho trend of application."

During tho past year local body officers had gained experience in tli6 operations of awards, said Air. Drew, and, generally speaking, he thought it could bo said that no great difficulties had been experienced. It was with regret that the association had to record the resignation for health reasons of Colonel Pow as secretary to the New Zealand County Councils' Industrial Union of Employers. He had always been a tower of strength to the union, and in his dealing with county officials his co-opcration and assistance had been most valuable. All joined in hoping that ho would speedily be restored to good health. It was pleasing to record that at the biennial meeting of the institute held at Wellington in July last, Air. F. H. Hudson (Horowhenua) was re-elected president of tho institute and, on behalf of this branch, Air. Drew extended congratulations. The remarks passed by members eulogising the work he had done for the instituto must have been some small recompense for his labours. He also wished to express to Mr. H. H. Richardson the pleasure at his being unanimously rc-electcd as a member of the executive committee. His ripe experience and sound judgment was invaluable in guiding the destinies of the institute and they can ill afford to allow him to retire yet. There was no need to say anything about the conference, as members have all been furnished with a report, except perhaps to say that it was one of the most successful and well-attended conferences yet held and that Wellington district was well represented. Air. Drew said lie was pleased to report that tho membership of the branch had increasd by one, the roll now standing at 16 members and 17 associate members. He urged that office assistants should become associate members of the institute. At tho present time there were a few assistants who had not done so. Tho large number of associate members who attend meetings indicated that they recognise that benefits were t-o be derived by their attendance both from an educalional viewpoint and also by seizing the opportunity to rub shoulders with others occupying similar position. At the last conference tho past president brought forward the suggestion that meetings of the branch bo held half yearly. The suggestion met with approval and an attempt was made to arrange a further conference to coincide with a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay branch at Napier. Unfortunately, it was not possible to carry on with this idea and after consideration tho executive decided that, as the biennial conference of the institute was being held in July, tho proposal be dropped for this year. Air. Drew said he wished

to thank the vice-president, Mr. J. Hutton, and members of the executive for their support and co-operation during the past year, and especially did ho wish to thank the secretary, Mr. J. C. D. Macklcy, for the valuable work be had done for the branch. “The energy and enthusiasm he puts into this work is an incentive to nil our members,concluded ,the president. Electicn of Officers The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr. A. K. Drew; vice-president, Mr. J. Hutton; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. ('. I). Macklcy; hon. auditor, Mr. G. Darbyshire; executive, Messrs. A. Jv. Drew, J. C. D. Mackley, W. Hcsseltine, A. E. Orgias and H. H.