THE WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1770, 3 June 1895, Page 3

THE WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMARU HERALD. Sin, — What strange mortals we sometimes are ? What a depth of truth and wisdom in that saying — " We strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." The Waimate County Council's clerk asked his Council, a few weeks ago, for a small increase in his salary. What a straining we, the people of Waimate, have had in trying to swallow this gnat. How we have twisted and turned, and squirmed, and wrung our hands in despair, at the awful extravagance of such an application ! A few people have advised that

an indignation meeting be held to stop such a waste of public money. Yes, sir, we are making fearful straining to get this gnat down, yet somehow we let the camel slip down, and we scarcely screw up our faces a bit, although we often feel very uncomfortable after, and never think of blaming the camel. "Oh dear, no," nothing but that gnat we had such difficulty in swallowing is the cause of all our serious affliction. We, as colonists, agreed only the other day to pay between two and three thousand pounds annually to a man to look after an institution, which we became deeply interested in. We were also paying to seventy or eighty gentlemen yearly £150 each for an average of about three months' work, or equal to £600 a year. They asked for an increase of pay (about 60 per cent.), £240 for about three months, or equal to nearly £1000 per annum. Of course we agreed to let them have it. It was truly marvellous to see how easily the camel slipped down. I have always looked upon the funds of County Councils as a subscription by farmers, or those who are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to own a piece of land. They subscribe an amount of money called the county fund, and appoint gentlemen as trustees or councillors to instruct and supervise in the expenditure of this money, in making and maintaining roads to give access to these farms and holdings, and paying officers to assist. Although I have not been long in the Waimate County (having gained my experience in these matters in another county), I will venture to say that, if the Waimate County Council i take £99 out of every £100 of such funds, and ask the contributors of the £99 their opinion on the clerk's application, the following dialogue would be the result :— Farmers.- -What salary do you pay your clerk ? Councillors.— £2oo per annum. Farmbrs.— How long has he been in your service ? Councillors. — About thirteen years. Farmers. — Has he carried out his duties in an honest, accurate, and satisfactory manner? Councillors.— Yes, he has been very honest, accurate, industrious, and courteous. Farmers.— And how will the extent of his duties compare with those of clerks employed by neighbouring Councils ? Councillors -Our clerk's duties are equal to, if not greater than, those of most other counties ; in fact, out of the seventy-nine counties in the colony there is but one, the gross amount of rates (which it is the clerk's duty to collect) exceeds ours, and in addition to the duties pertaining directly to the work proper, we have placed recently upon him the clerical work in connection with large irrigation works, which we have recently taken in hand. Two separate banking accounts served for the Council's work originally, but our clerk has now to keep no less than ten. such accounts. Farmers— What was your total expenditure for, say, the year 1894 ? Councillors— About £11,000. Farmers— How many Councils among the 79 have in proportion to their receipts and expenditure, their clerical work done less or equal to yours ? Councillors— Not one. The total receipts of the 79 counties are about £360,000 ; the expenditure in management is £41,700, Our in management is £649, or about 50 per cent, less than the average. Farmers. — And how does your clerk's salary compare with those paid by neighbouring Councils. j Councillors. — We are not paying as much. The Waitaki Council pay tneir clerk £300 per annum, Geraldine £250 (speaking of last year), Ashburton £225 and house, Selwyn £300. ! Farmers.— Will you tell us why you hesitate to reward services (which you acknowledge are honestly and accurately performed) in a manner consistent with remuneratiin given by similar bodies? Councillors.— We are afraid of an hornet's nest about our ears if we do such. Farmers.— lf the fear of such would prevent any of you from acting properly towards a faithful servant, you are quite unfit to administer the trust we placed in your hands, and you . will please permit us to suggest to you that although times are hard and money scarce, honesty and accuracy (which you acknowledge are characteristic qualities of your clerk), are equally scarce, and permit us to also suggest to you, the advieableness of acting towards this official, as a private gentleman or firm would act, fully recognise the implicit confidence you can place in a responsible officer. I am, &c, . Fairplay.