MOSGIEL BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18763, 17 January 1923, Page 6

MOSGIEL BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —Tu recent issues “Perplexed Ralepayer" and “Watchdog” ventilate (heir dissatisfaction with the management of the municipal affairs of Mosgiel. Since ratepayers elect Mayor and council, the logical conclusion is that faults (if any) He with the ratepayers, The Mayor is managing director of a town or borough, and for his services receives a salary which, like that of an M.P.. is euphemistically styled an honorarium. 'ibis ns a rule accurately reflects the value of services rendered. Tire canny Scottish and Irish burgesses of Mosgiel annually vote their managing director (the Mayor) the munificent honorarium of £3o—sum equal to about a fourth of what a cripple would earn selling papers or running a pennv pic-stall. For this sum they expect him to manage all their municipal business affairs with wisdom and in addition preside on their behalf at all public and social affairs. Quite evidently “Watchdog” and “Perplexed Ratepayer” consider he should also be a live hustler. At the price, I cannot see it in the picture. The law takes good care that uo “pickings” accrue from the position. If Moseiel ratepayers want, business ability they must, like other towns, pay for it. The present honorarium would’ not meet claims made on their representative for public- and private subscriptions. They should raise it to £IOO or £l5O per annum.' and call for suitable applications for the position, when they will be justified in asking value for their money. Cheap service as a. rule is poor service. Mosgiel is tj first-class concern which has been inefficiently managed for many years. Its rates have been frittered away on nonpermanent work Wisely spent, the same rates would have kerbed, channeled, and asphalted the whole of the borough. Recently the council appointed a first-class man as foreman and inspector at £3OO per annum —a man who could, and would, bring the borough out of (ho slough of despond and give ratepayers good value and permanent, improvements, if only the council would sanction and direct- that the work bo performed. Instead of this, wo find tnc chairman of works asking him to got on a lawnmower and mow the grass on the streets, which in a week would be as abundant, a crop r.s before. If worth doing at all. this is a youth's job at, 8s a day. Your correspondents “will find many to agree with them, but growling will not mend matters. Change will come only bv the intelligent, active co-operation of all ratepayers in the. management, of the borough's affairs, by the initiation oi a progressive policy of development and by (he wise spending of the borough funds on real permanent improvements Mosgiel has water, drainage, and electric light—all he. advantages of a «ty. In addition, for the bona fide home-builder, it is the lowest-rated town in Now Zealand With a good service to cater for town workers, it would become the favourite suburb of Dunedin To effect this -atopavers must pull all together, work for measures, and leave personalities alone. -I arr etc.. Reform-Extand. Mosgiel, January lb-