HIS OWN MOTION LOST

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1935, Page 11

HIS OWN MOTION LOST

CASTING VOTE OF CHAIR BIDING ACCOUNTS RETAINED. DECISION FOR OHURA COUNTY. A proposal to abolish riding accounts with a view to striking an even general rate over the whole county was lost at the Ohura County Council meeting on Wednesday on the casting vote of the chairman (Cr. J. Caird), who had himself moved the resolution that the council pass the necessary special order, which would require to be confirmed, if carried, at the next meeting of the council and would have come into force at the beginning of the next financial year. There was considerable discussion, which near the conclusion led to a passage between the chairman and Cr. Denison, a former chairman. The chairman said the idea was to institute road accounts,'so as to itemise all expenditure. He considered that the proposal was a reasonable one, as it would bring the general rate over the whole county on an equalised basis, as was the case at present with the special and hospital rates. He did not consider the proposal would entail any hardship. It was a safety first .resolution because now that there would' be three ridings it would be possible for two ridings to put their heads together and increase the general rate in the other riding. That was not likely to occur, but the danger was present. ; Cr. Denison could not see any material benefit in the proposal. The chairman said the Kaitieke County Council, which had converted and consolidated its loans, was taking the course he suggested. Cr. McKenzie, in seconding the motion, considered that to the consolidation and conversion of the loans the present suggestion was a natural corrollary. Cr. Renner considered it was strange that the proposal had only been brought forward since the formation of the new riding. ONE ACCOUNT FAIRER. The chairman said that from the point of view of highways it would be fairer to have only one account. For instance, in the Matiere riding there were only seven miles of usable highway, whereas in the Ohura riding there was considerably more. „ Cr. McKenzie: There must be 50 miles in the Ohura riding. . ' .

Cr. Romayne said that, while perhaps at one time there would have been serious objections to the proposal, he did' not see that there. could be much objection now that the loan consolidation had been carried. That would mean an even special rate over the whole county while for some few years the came‘general and hospital rate had been paid over the whole county.lf necessary the council could later revert back to the riding account system. The chairman said he had . received legal advice .that there .was no provision for reverting to the old system once riding accounts were abolished, except by local legislation. ' . Cr. Denison said that up to the present nothing had been said in favour of the proposal. Though there might be no harm in the change as suggested, he was opposed to the,numerous changes that had taken place in the county since it had been formed, the number of ' ridings which had first numbered nine, haying been changed on numerous occasions. The council had got on very well under the old system. The only reason he could see for the change was that it was said that it would simplify the book-keeping but as far as he could understand now. it would, increase the work. Moreover, if carried the change would.be irrevocable, so that before ' agreeing .. to the proposal, he would require to. hear a great deal in its favour. Cr. McKenzie supported the proposal but Cr. Renner strongly opposed it. The latter pointed out that the ratepayers of the Matiere riding were always well ahead of the Ohura riding in regard to the payment of their rates, and therefore were entitled to more consideration in regard to expenditure. ■. Lake Cr. Denison, he would have preferred to see the county remain in two ridings but there had been no option. Keeping separate road accounts would entail so much additional work that the council would have to restore the county clerk’s salary cut. Before making such a drastic change, they should exercise every care, because as the chairman had stated, once made, it could not be revoked later. ’ . , , Cr. Fauchelle said there might be something in the scheme, that the chairman knew better than the councillors, but from what had been said that day, he could not see anything to be gained by the change. Cr. Romayne asked whether the position was effected in. any way by the consolidation and conversion of the loan. The chairman said it was only the completion of the good work effected by the consolidation. His proposal was being received in a very lukewarm manner by some of the councillors, but he was strongly of opinion that it was the proper thing. With one general fund account and every ratepayer paying rates according to his rateable value, there could be no fear of the ratepayers in any one riding ever having “to carry the baby.” He agreed that as far as the general rate was concerned the Matiere riding ratepayers paid up well, but that did not apply to some of the special rates, particularly Upper Ohura Road, where there was some of the best land in the county. Personally he could not understand the argument that the Matiere riding would not benefit by the proposal, as the ratepayers of that riding were finding £270 annually for the maintenance of the Te Kuiti-Bulls highway. Whereas, if riding accounts were abolished the ratepayers over the whole county would have to contribute. That should be a strong point in favour of the Matiere riding members supporting the proposal. If the proposal were not carried that meeting, it could not be brought forward again in time to be enforced next financial year, so that voting against it was equivalent to rejecting it for at least one year. CHECK ON EXPENDITURE. Replying to Cr. Romayne, the clerk, Mr. McClenaghan, said that the change would mean more work but it would enable the expenditure on the roads to be kept in check, as the amount expended and the amount received m rates from each road would be known. Though it meant more work to him, he considered it would be much more satisfactory. On Waimiha Road, in which there was very heavy expenditure, very little rates were collected. On the other hand, in the Ohura riding, the Main Highways Board assisted with the maintenance of a considerable mileage of main highways. Cr. Renner to see how under the abolition of the riding system the Ohura riding would be assisting Matiere with the payment of £270 maintenance on the Te Kuiti-Bulls highway. If he thought that was the case he would vote for the proposal. If the council went in for the proposal it should further restore the clerk’s cut. Cr. Romayne wished there had been more time to consider the proposal, particularly as it would be irrevocable. Replying to Cr. Renner, the chairman said that in future loans for any proposal would be a charge on the whole county. Loans would only be raised to the extent of £lOOO and the Local Bodies’ Loans Board would have the sole authority

to say,whether it should be.raised. As far as rating could .be fair, he. thought the only 'fair way of rating was according -to the rateable value. Improved reading benefited the settlers by, cheaper transport. He understood that ■ cream cartage was now one. penny less than a few years ago. He himself had paid £3 10s for cartage from Ongarue arid to-day received free delivery. That benefit more than offset any rate. The only way', the backblocks settler, could get metal was by consolidation as there would be no difficulty in the county borrowing £lOOO which could be repaid by one penny rate , over the whole county in one year and would make. £5OOO available for expenditure. He considered that the proposed system would , remove considerable discontent from the minds of ratepayers, who would know at a glance the position •of any road. It meant a simplification of accounts. Cr- Denison: Multiplication. The chairman: Multiplication with simplification. ' Cr. Romayne said that in the event of a disaster - overtaking any district, the whole of the county would be available, to repair‘any damage, which would riot fall, so heavily on the riding. There, had been several instances, as for instance the harbour rate, which some wished to be spread over the whole county. Could that be dorie? The chairman said that he had gone into the matter, as far as he could and had been, notified that the whole scheme of consolidation and conversion was a scheme for equalisation of responsibility and he. had been informed that the Audit Department -would pass any accounts that the council might pass in that direction, out of the county funds, such as the maintenance . payment on the Te Kuiti-Bulls highway , and the New Plymouth' harbour rate'. The clerk'state^ that at present, the harbour rate was ®sing paid out as it.was collected.

The chairman said that if the resolution were carried that day. further information could be obtained and if necessary the council need not confirm the resolution at the next meeting. • . As the chairman was about to put the resolution to the meeting,' Cr. Denison remarked: “I would like to remind you, Mr. Chairman, that it is customary for the chairman to give his, casting vote to leave things as they are.” The chairman: “I don’t require any assistance from you, Cr. Denison, in regard to conducting the council business. I don’t know that my casting vote will be necessary.” On a vote being taken, Crs. Caird, Romayne and McKenzie voted in favour and Crs. Denison, Fauchelle and Renner against. The chairman gave his casting vote against the resolution. Cr. Denison: I think a lot of you for that, Mr. Chairman. I think I spoke, out of my turn and I apologise. The chairman: I think that it requires an apology. I don’t want that sort of remark. . . .

Cr. Denison: That is the first, time you have given your casting vote against a proposal. The chairman: I have always given my casting vote to leave things as they were.