DUAL POSITIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 35

DUAL POSITIONS.

DISCUSSION BY WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL. Shortly after the meeting of the Waihemo County Council last month Cr Ross sent in notice to the county clerk that at the eicxt meeting he would move: “That the positions of clerk and engineer be dissociated, and that separate applications be invited for the offices of clerk and inspector.” When this motion was reached on the order paper on Saturday, Cr Rosa said that before going on with his motion lie would present a petition from the ratepayers in Bushoy Riding, which ho represented. The petition, which was largely signed, contained in effect a request that the motion about to bo brought forward should not bo carried, and pointed out the amount of useful work which Mr Butt, as clerk and engineer, had done for the ratepayers. They viewed with alarm any attempt to separate the positions of dork and engineer, because, apart from other considerations, it would mean extra expense to the ratepayers. Cr Ross said he looked upon that petition as an insult. Ho had been on the council for 20 years, and had always been allowed to use his own discretion in regard to any questions that came before councillors. Ho noticed a clause in the petition that since Mr Butt had occupied the dual position of clerk and engineer he had filled it with credit to himself and profit to the council. Ho wanted to know how this statement could lie reconciled with the Tact that during the time Air Butt had served the council in hia present positions some of the items set down against the administration of the council’s affairs had increased perceptibly. In three items alone there was an increase of £B3 15,s 9d from 1909 to 1913. During 1912-1913 law costs amounted to £2O 8s 3d, printing and advertising £62 6s 3d, and incidental expenses £6l 4s 3d, or a total of £146 18s 9d. Jn 1909 the total cost of those items was £63 3s. “ Now,” said Ur Ross, “ I want to know what caused this difference?” lie then moved his motion, and ‘said it would bo apparent to the ratepayers, if they took any interest in county matters at all, that there was a “screw loose” somewhere, especially when it was remembered that their rates had been increased from 3d to Id in the pound during the last two years. The roads wore in a worse condition than he had previously seen them during his term of office, and the office expenditure was still increasing. Some people might say that he had a “set” on Mr Butt . Ur O’Connell : Everybody knows that 1 Cr Ross: You have no right to speak until 1 am finished. Continuing, he said that to show that he had no “set” on Mr Butt, ho would remind councillors of the dispute which arose between Mr Butt and a contractor, which came before the council. On that occasion he moved that the council could not interfere between the engineer and the contractor. Cr Ross said that a few weeks ago a Govorr/hient engineer had visited the county for the purpose of ascertaining the grants necessary for different parts. He was driven to Bushev Riding by a surfaceman. Ho wanted to know why Mr Butt was not there. Ho did not know the reason. Air Butt: Yes you do. I told you my mother was dangerously ill. Cr Ross said that the next day he drove the Government engineer to Shag Point. That was the first time in the history of the county that he knew of that a surfaceman was sent with a Government official who was ascertaining what was needed in (lie way of grants, and it was not right. Reverting to the subject of the petition, he said ho had a shrewd idea where it originated and who wore the prime move's in its circulation. Cr O’Neill: Are they ratepayers?

Cr Ross : No. Cr Bayly : Give the name. Cr Ross said he did not care a snap of his fingers for the petition, and he considered it an insult to him. Cr O’Connell: It shows want of confidence in vou. Cr Ross-r If there was an, election next week 1 would receive the support of the ratepayers in :nv riding. Cr Bay ly: If you will resign I will contest the seat with you. Cr Ross: You are trying to put me off niy argument. Continuing, he said that Mr Butt could not attend to the duties of clerk and engineer. More supervision was necessary outside. Cr Pilbrow seconded the motion. He said ho did not want to endorse what had boon said by Cr Roes. He had maintained all along that the ratepayers would be served better by the positions being separate. Ho would not say that he might not be wrong. Cr Clark, referring To Cr Ross’s remarks concerning the increased expenditure, pointed out that some heavy works had been carried out and it was' only natural that the expenses would be greater than when only small works were being gone on with. f l ho Chairman produced a petition from the Goodwood Riding similar to that received by Cr Ross. Ho said ho took exception to the petition, as ho considered it took away his legal rights. He would use his own discretion in this matter, as ho did in other matters. Ho was of the opinion that two distinct officers would bo better than one. He might be wrong, but it would have to be proved that he was. and ho would not give in before it Mas proved. He did not support the motion out of any antagonism to Mr Butt. Cr O’Neill opposed the motion, and said that the increased expenditure mentioned by Cr Ross Mas due in a measure to the number of Government grants they had had to deal M-ith. In connection with some of them they had had to secure legal advice before the money could bo expended. Not one of the councillors Mould back up Cr Ross’s j assertion that the roads More in a worse condition than they had been formerly. On the contrary, it Mas admitted that the roads were never better than at present. There had been more gravelling contracts lastyear than there had been in 10 years previously. Cr O’Connell pointed cut that in connection Mith some work in the riding represented by Cr Ross the engineer had saved the ratepayers £IOO. Cr MT.cnnan said that at a meeting of ratepayers held in his riding a resolution In favour of Mr Butt had been carried by 14 votes to 3. Therefore, ho \«cis going to vote in accordance with the wishes of the ratepayers. Or Rond all expressed the opinion that the ratepayers would be better served by having a man for each position. He considered that the petitions were an insult to tho members. In supporting the retention of the present system, Cr Bayly said lie could not believo that any councillor Mould vote against the wishes of the ratepayers. The council was about £BOO better off than 'ifVas in 1910-11. and in addition a great deal of work had been carried out for the benefit of the ratepayers. lie had the utmost confidence in Mr Butt's ability to serve the ratepayers well. Cr Ross having replied, the motion was defeated on a division as follows:—Ayes; Crs Roes, PilbroM-. Renclall. and the chairman. Noes: Crs Clark, M’Lcnnan, Bav’v, <1 Neill, and O’Connell.