“DUCKS AND DRAKES” WITH COUNCIL RATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 4

“DUCKS AND DRAKES” WITH COUNCIL RATES.

BRIGHTON ESTIMATES ARE SENT BACK TO COMMITTEE.

When the New Brighton Borough Council's estimates for tlie year 1928-29 were recommended by the Finance Committee to the whole council last evening for adoption, a “ bombshell" was delivered to the council (using the words of one of the councillors! when the chairman of the Finance Committee (Mr E. A. M. Leaver) declared that the first time he had seen the estimates was at the last committee meeting. He had not been consulted in any way and as chairman of the Finance Committee, he was responsible for an increased cost of administration. He was under the impression that the estimates had been rushed through. He moved that the estimates be referred back to the committee. Councillor E. Smith: 1 am surprised that Councillor Leaver has been overlooked, and I will second the motion. Councillor J. E. Scott: I think it is a bit of a slur on Councillor Leaver. The Mayor (Captain A. W. Owles) : For my part I was under the impression that all the councillors had seen the estimates. There must have been a misunderstanding. It is unfortunate that this has happened, especiallv when the Town Clerk is away on his annual leave and will not be present at the next committee meeting. Councillor Smith; In that case I will move as an amendment that the estimates be referred back to the first committee meeting of the council after the Town Clerk's return. Councillor F. D. Muirson: It is a pity that Councillor Leaver did not bring. this matter up at the meeting of the Works Committee. If the amendment is carried it will mean that the estimates will be held up for a month, and apparently Councillor Leaver wants to revise them. Councillor Leaver: Last Thursday evening I said that this was the first time I had seen the estimates. I told the Town Clerk that I was available any time and all he had to do was to ring me up. In previous years I have always been consulted, and one j-ear when Mr Eames was Town Clerk he even brought the estimates to my home in one evening for my perusal. The Mavor: That was when Mr Eames lived almost next door to ’-ou. Do vou think that Mr Middleton should have rang you up to come down and peruse the estimates?” Councillor Leaver: Most certainly 1 do. We are the custodians of the ratepavers’ money and we cannot play ducks and drakes with it, and 1 will not be held responsible for certain increases in the; cost of administration. Other councillbrs expressed surprise that Councillor Leaver had not been consulted, and eventually Councillor Leaver withdrew his motion in favour of the amendment, which was carried.