Travelling Expenses For Council Staff

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1939, Page 4

Travelling Expenses For Council Staff

Althougli the Otamatea County council at its last meeting decided to pay the outside staff 4d. peij mile travelling expenses when using their own cars to go to and from their work, several councillors were of the opinion on Wednesday that the basis decided upon was rather on the high side.

After a brisk discussion, it was decided to review the whole question in three months’ time, after the new rate had been given a fair trial.

The clerk read a letter from a county grader driver accepting the rate of 4d per mile. “Does the council know that the cost is 4d. per mile each way and that there is no limit to the distance that can be travelled each day?” asked the engineer (Mr. R. J. Baft). “I think we should pay a man for .the distance he travels for us,” said Cr. W. Litten.

“The only question is whether 4d. per mile is too much. With benzine at 2/8 per gallon, and the high price of tyres, wo have to remember that ft costs a lot to run a car these days.

“We might perhaps reduce the allowance over a certain mileage, and thereby do away with the tendency to run unnecessary miles,” said Cr. W. Preston.

“That aspect is being taken care of by Mr, BafT, who is organising the work in order to cut down the travelling” commented the chairman (Mr. R. Coates).

“At any rate/’ continued Cr. Preston, “the men should not travel in our time when we are paying such high travelling rates.” “That is in the award and we have to abide by the award,” remarked Mr. Coates.