MAYOR’S HONORARIUM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19451, 28 March 1933, Page 6

MAYOR’S HONORARIUM

REDUCED TO £225 PER ANNUM. In accordance with notice given. Councillor G. Benstead moved and Councillor H. J. Mathers seconded, at last night's meeting of the Timaru Borough Council: "That the annual allowance to the Mayor for the two years term of office commencing on May 10th. 1933. be £225 per annum." Prior to discussion on the motion, consideration was given to a clause in the report of the Finance Committee which recommended that the Mayors’ honorarium be reduced to £225 per annum. Councillor W. H. Hunt said that h* desired to move that the clause be referred back for further consideration, with a view to still further economy in the matter. The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite) : “That is coming up later.” Councillor Hunt: “I did not expect to have a surprise like this sprung on me." The Mayor. “Have you read your reports?" Councillor Hunt: “Yes." The Mayor: "It is coming up in the notice of motion. You can deal with it then, or in the report. That Is fair enough." Councillor O. Benstead said that the clause was only a recommendation, in order to show that the committee agreed with the notice of motion. Councillor Hunt said thgt he would move an amendment that the clause be referred back. He probably would be defeated, but it would not matter. Two years ago he had moved that the honorarium be reduced to £2OO. but he was defeated. They did not know who would be the n<": Mayor, so it could not be said that he was striking a blow at anyone. Seeing that times were so bad. he thought the alloWi ance should be brought down to £2OO. The Mayor: "Will you move an i amendment to the notice Of motino?” Councillor Hunt: “Yes." The Mayor: "You can vote on the matter to-night. I brought it up at the last meeting of the Finance Committee. and you can do what you like with it. Everything is fair and above board.” Councillor Hunt: “I did not say anything about that. I am here in th« interests of the ratepayers.” The Mayor: “We are all here for that.” - „ Councillor Hunt then moved that the clause be deleted from the report. Councillor Benstead said that he was not in favour of the report being adopted with the deletion of the clause. The Mayor explained that the Act required notice of motion to be given to put the matter in order. Councillor Benstead: “It doesn't matter whether this goes through or not. The notice of motion is the thing." He said that he had given the matter a good deal of thought, and he was not going to stultify himself by voting against his notice of motion. The Mayor again explained the reason why notice of motion had been given, but Councillor Hunt did not withdraw his motion, which was lost by six votes to two. only Councillors Hunt and Mason voting for it. The motion moved by Councillor Benstead and seconded by Councillor Mathers, that the Mayor's allowance be reduced to £225 per annum was then carried. Councillors Hunt and Mason again voting against. Councillor Hunt: “If you get a good thing behind you, go ahead." The Mayor: "What’s that?” Councillor Richards: "If you had to pay out for this and for that, how would you like it?" There was no further discussion.