THE PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL AND RETRENCHMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14784, 17 March 1910, Page 5

THE PORT CHALMERS COUNCIL AND RETRENCHMENT.

Sir,—The Port Chalmers Borough Council tackled the question of retrenchment at its last meeting, but as two parties were equally divided upon several of the items.the Mavor, bv his easting vote, left the matter as it was, this being the correc/; tiling to do ,under the circumstance. As a ratepayer, however, and one who has a v «y intimate knowledge of the working of the borough, I venture to offer an opinion as to where a saving can. ami should, bo made. The item of £50 for the Mayor might be struck out until the outlook is better. The item Sexton £75 with free house, etc.," might- be altered, and ono of the corporation daymen could occupy tile house and do the necessary work at tho cemetery for one or two days per week. Tho balajicc of his time could bo very well employed on the street. A ? ery often a burial does not tako place for ?i m Jlorcovc r, the grazing rights on Mid Town Belt should bo let by public tender, and not be' made a perquisite of tho sexton. At least £50 per annum can be sated there. Then there is an item of!

£30_ for a valuer. It should lie one of the duties of »iie town clerk to perform the valuation work 1 . The sum mentioned is, in iny opinion, very easily earned money in ;i small place like Port Chalmers. Then ive come to the item "Forester, £138, and free house, etc." That position could very .easily be abolished, and tho work could 30 on just as well by putting one of the aymon in charge of Ihe reservoir and by making him water inspector also for the borough at, no increased rate of wages but for the fr oe use of house. A few hours a week would suffice to do tho usual work at the reservoir, and tiie balance of his lime could wei) be • emploved in Ihe borough. A saving of at least £100 could oo effected there. Another item is "commission on sale of water." As tho present water officer is paid £75 per year and commission, and the demand for water is on the down grade, the water inspector might include this as part of his duties, and another saving could be effected. Then we come to the combination of the offices of town clerk and inspector. This is a very good move, but there am difficulties in the way which need not be gone into here. -IJiCL'o are, however, no engineering diffi cu tics to contend with in Port Chalmers: only a strong, firm man is required, and Such a man could be got lor £200 per annum. There is to be no'saving if the iJ Vl' as statcd t0 bc ' £325 p* l ' ai,lu "»' ' will be necessary to have a foreman in <•-unite of the men and a cadet in the oiticc at £50 per annum. It was rather a mean 6tep to cut down the band's allowance by £10. Tho band sWuM bo encouraged in every way, as the present bandmaster has an uphill fight to keep his men nnl ol owing to tho uncertainty of work, ino Town Hall might, lx; mait to produce vevenuo instead of being a wl/to elephant. tho council seat it and provide a piano, so that it may be made available tor entertainments. Next, let the dog tax , mat * c Payable to the town clerk, and not oan omccr on a percentage basis. Port Chalmers should be, one of the nicest, cleanest, and most beautiful spots outside ot Duncdm. Can any other small borough Wt V rn T""* , of £lfll ° '» «nt such « ; j Lha i 'H's does? And . yet very little ; ., ne 7 » lak e the place attractive -to MSltors. A great deal more could be said as to how economics might bo effected by the council for a great deal of the revenue is simply frittered away in reckless waste. —1 am, ctc., March J. S. M.