COUNTY ECONOMIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 15

COUNTY ECONOMIES.

DECISIONS AT WHANGAREI. STAFF AND MACHINERY. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT."! WHANGAREI, Friday. Further economics wero dealt with by the Whangarei County Council to-day. The number of surfacemen in the various ridings was fully discussed and it was decided to dispense with the services of one and ration three others to 5 days a week. This will effect a saving of about £250 annually. The question of rationing another two surfacemen is to bo considered. Members expressed regret at the necessity for the step taken but held that the ratepayers had to be considered. Mr. L. Webb, the chairman, said " if we hope to reduce rates we must cut down the expenditure of the council." Ilegarding the council's machinery, the chairman said it should be the policy of the council to give preference to contractors using their own plant and machinery and that the council should sell several of its crushing plants. A motion on these lines was carried, and the chairman and engineer were authorised to deal with the number to be sold. It was pointed out by the chairman that the annual maintenance of the crushing plants was £IOOO. It was also decided to dispense with the services of a permanent overseer for the work being carried out by the unemployed, and to nominate a member of each gang to carry out these duties.