Mangonui County Council Abolishes Riding Accounts

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1940, Page 9

Mangonui County Council Abolishes Riding Accounts

The Mangonui County Council on Wednesday decided to abolish riding accounts, with riding representation remaining as at present. The motion was moved by Cr. Hoskin, who said there was never a more opportune time for the pooling of accounts. The rates were collected in the whole of the county, and should be available for expenditure on roads wherever necessary. With one fund they would be better able to take advantage of grants made on a subsidy basis. Roads which could not be touched at present because the riding was not in funds, could be brought up to a proper standard, and gradually all roads could receive necessary attention. What he proposed had been adopted by 61 counties in New Zealand. Everything in Favour. It had everything in its favour and nothing against it. Riding accounts were wrong in principle. Sounder decisions would be reached if every proposal was considered from a county point of view. Cr. Matthews seconded and said the abolition of riding accounts would greatly reduce the clerical work, but the main purpose was efficiency and economy in carrying out road works. If they could pool their resources in these difficult times the belter chance they would have of coming through satisfactorily. Fairness Needed. Cr. Holder said he would support the proposal if it could be shown that it would work out fairly to all ridings. He was afraid some ridings would get mure than their share. Those who had spoken did not have very satisfactory riding balances. Cr. Vickers feared that the proposal would mean a scramble for expenditure, and that the backblocker would sutler. He was prepared to reserve judgment if the officials would undertake to bring down some scheme fair to all. Cr. Shaw said a definite injustice could be done by pooling. Cr. McKay: The motion gives us an opportunity for co-operation, and the Council as a whole is the best judge of where money should be spent Precedents Quoted. Cr. Hoskin: No county which lias abolished riding accounts has ever reinstated them. The clerk said he took it that the ratepayers would only elect capable and honest men to represent them, and it was very unlikely that any one district would receive attention to the neglect of others. Both of the late District Engineers were opposed to riding accounts. Cr. Vickers suggested that a programme be drawn up by the engineer, showing roads needing attention in the order of the urgency of the claims. Mr Torrie: That will be difficult, and unfortunately the revenue of the Council is not sufficient at present to maintain all the works. As far as Government grants were concerned, the scheme should work well. The motion was carried.