LAKE COUNT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 31

LAKE COUNT.

! July 20. — Lake County Council hekl its ordinary monthly meeting last Wednesday, furnishing once more ample proof of its capacity for how-not-to-do things, at which it has been for so many years an adept. Besides the ordinary business with regard to loads and bridges nnd slaughteryards and so forth, the subject of road maintenance by contract once more cropped up after every body thought it had been finally dihposed of. For many years past the council h<is been debating the advantages of day labour v. contract for road maintenance purposes, recently amving at the conclus on that the contract system was thoroughly bad, and it was condemned accordingly. The contractors receiving notice that their contracts would terminate next meeting of the council (17th ins>t.), they made their arrangements accordingly When next meeting came :t was discovered that the next following months were the worst of the year for roads and tracks, and forthwith the counc.l rescinded its former decision, deciding that the system which they had condemned as wc-thlebs was good enough for the worst and most dangerous pai-t of the year, and extended the coutract system for two months, because, perhaps, they might save by it. This shows clearly the queer perception eoun/illors have ot the duties devolving upon them. The convenience and the interests of the ratepayers and general publi count iot nothing with them — if they think they see a chsuice of saving a few pounds ; the dangers and discomforts to which they expose travellers doesn't count with them for anything. The following motion was proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Cr Cockburn . "That this council invite applications for the position of clerk and treasurer at JEISO per annum, the engineer's salary to be reduced to £300." An amendment w.as then put by Cr M'Dougall, seconded by Cr M'Kibbin • " That unless the various works in abeyance during the last three years be overtaken in four months, Mr Black be asked to show cause why he should not be called upon to resign." The amendment was carried by six votes to three, Crs Reid, Lambie, pnd Co:kburn agarfst, the remainder of the council for the amendment. Here we have another example of how wonderfully and fearfully the council is made. Tacitly admitting that for three years at least they and their clerk and engineer had neglected then duties, they threatened the unfortunate clerk, who is much more victim than culprit, w th extinction if he does not set things right in four months. Is one not entitled to ask, Is this the proceeding of sane men? Six out of the nine councillors subscribed to this view of the situation. The unfortunate clerk and engineer has been tlie scapegoat or stumbling block of the councillors for a long run of years, and seems to have got used to the tender treatment of the council, though one would think he has good reason to cry . " Heaven save me from my friends! " The gist of the trouble is that nobody, either inside the council or out of it, really knows what the shortcomings complained of aa - e, or where they may be discovered. The clerk and engineer has protested that there is nothing wrong, whil° councillors persist in asking him to put things right, without indicating what they want to have righted. If they know that anything is wrong why don't they point to the spot where the cvii is, and let the ratepayers judge for th emselves. Ratepayers had better look forward to the next elections, and work a radical change ii. the council, seeing that neither critici&m, nor frost, nor dredging disasters, nor eaithquakes h»ve had any effect upon the intelligence or business capacity of the majority of the present council. A motion, proposed by Cr Lambie. seconded by Cr Cockburn, for striking a five-farthing rate for year 1901-1902 was carried, an amendment by Cr M r .Kibbin, seconded by Cr Butson, for a four-farthing rate being lost by six votes to three.

Appointment. — Mr J. S. Collins, of Maori Point, Shotover, has been »ppo:atpcl a Justice of the Peace. The appointment w". be a great convenience to a large section of the residents m the neighbourhood.