THE BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21643, 13 May 1932, Page 8

THE BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —With reference to Mr A. E. Stewart’s letter of the 10th inst., I would sav that section 61 of the Power Boards Act means that there shall be payment to the local authority for the use of its staff, which is already paid by the county. The county is under no obligation to make any additional payment, I understand the Act to he the same-as applied to tlie Post and Telegraph Department, which received a commission for extra work put upon it, but the staff docs not receive a penny bonus for the extra work performed by it, . , Mr Stewart mentions extra ■work, which seems to be a new name for bonus. I just wonder how much e^ tra work the ratepayers had to do ;to - find the £9320 rate that was collected for the Power Board? It is quite evident that Mr Stewart docs not realise the soie straits of a great many ratepayers, tins “ extra work stunt ” has got a good hold in the Bruce County office the last few years. The county clerk is paid £ls ~ a year for testing motor drivers and £26 13s 4d as Power Board commission.. With regard to the £320 profit mentioned by Mr Stewart, a business man would put it in his pocket. It should not he so in the case of the council, but should. revert back to the ratepayers, to whom it belongs. It is only lost to the ratepayers if it is paid to the clerk. 1 can assure Mr Stewart that my sympathy ; s w ith the unfortunate ratepayer who has naid the £9320 Power Board rate, and not with the county clerk. —I am, etc., One of the Unfortunate Ratepayers. May 11.