CR. A. D. McLEOD RESIGNS.

Wairarapa Age, 13 March 1922, Page 7

CR. A. D. McLEOD RESIGNS.

CYEII 20 YEARS’ SERVICE A TALK ON COUNTRY FINANCE. (From Our Travelling Reporter), In presenting the statement on accounts at Friday’s meeting of the Featherston County Council, Cr. A. I). McLeod, M.P., said he much regretted to state, as treasurer, that it would he the last statement he would make, as he intended tendering his resignation as a councillor. Cr. McLeod said he placed his resignation for two reasons—firstly, that the many duties cast upon him as a Parliamentary representative rendered it extremely difficult for him to attend meetings: secondly, he felt that it would be necessary for some time ahead for councillors to give close and constant

attention to finances, not ouly in their particular ridings, but throughout the

county as a whole. He had been at tached to the council since its incep-

tion in 1902, and previous to that was a member of the Road Board The only remaining members of the first council were Crs. A. Matthews, J.

McLeod and himself. He accepted his full share of the high rates as they now found them. The boom times carried away public bodies as well as private individuals into the paths of extravagance, and he felt sure the time had arrived for them to retrace, their tracks and bring the expenditure tack to a point which the ratepayers could face. On the side of local taxation he wished to refer particularly to the cost of hospital and charitable aid, and how a halt could be called in regard to this expenditure. He thought the time had arrived when Hospital Boards should levy and collect their own rates and the Board members would then have to carry the odium attached to levying high rates instead cf it falling upon the shoulders of county councillors. He briefly referred to the position of the. county in three stages. When the county was first set up in 1902-3 the general rate amounted to £3060, the interest to £485 and the hospital and charitable aid rate to £585. The council was then joined with Wellington so far as hospital matters were concerned. This gave a total rate levy of £4130. The loan debt at that time amounted to £9850. In 1913-14 the general rate bad risen to £7500, the interest to £1220 and the hospital levy to £1060.. while the loan debt had reached £25,000. Councillors would see by this that the total rates of all kinds did not exceed £lO,OOO. Although in the meantime they had secured a severance from Wellington in the matter of hospital and charitable aid it would be seen that the levy up to 1914 d.d not exceed 10 per-cent, of the total rates From 1914 the rate levies for all purposes jumped ahead in an alarming manner until in the year 1920-21. it would be found that the general I rate in this year amounted to £18,200, the interest £3400 and the hospital and charitable aid lew £4,800, while the

total loan debt reached £60,000. Some £25,000 of this increased loan expenditure had been caused by Work men’s Homes £6OOO, machinery and plant £6OOO, Pahaoa bridges £lO,OOO, Lake Ferry buildings £2OOO, the balance going towards the re-erection in concrete of practically the whole of the important bridges. Unfortunately more money would be required for the Pahaoa bridges and with the completion of the Kahautara bridge the total debt should not exceed £BO,OOO, which, comparatively speaking to ether local bodies of a like valuation, could not be considered large. It was questionable if ratepayers would be better able to pay higher rates than in pre-war days, and economy must rot alone be the watch word of individuals but of local bodies. Cr. Me Leod claimed that with the late Cr. Martin he had prevented a threatened division of the county.

At a later stage eulogistic reference was made to the services rendered by Cr. McLeod, and it was decided to place on record the council’s regret at his resignation and its appreciation

of his past services. The chairman (Mr Q. Donald) said the Council could ill-afford to lose a representative of Cr. McLeod’s calibre and experience. However, they recognised that his time was greatly occupied in attending to the requirements of his constituency, and they must excuse him. Cr. A. Matthews said he had been associated with Cr. McLeod—first on the old Road Board and then on the County Council, and he knew of no local body member who ha-d expended as much time and energy in the service of the ratepayers. Cr. D. Cameron spoke in a similar strain. Or. McLeod thanked members for their kindly remarks. He believed that a perspn representing a district as wide as the one he did, where there were conflicting interests, should have an entirely free hand. He was probably anticipating the position more than he should do, and in November nexlt the people migfpt tell him they didn’t want him. He regretted extremely having to sever his connection with a council he had so long been associated with. The finances had to be closely watched, and he suggested the creation of a finance committee. If such a committee was appointed be would render it any assistance within his power. Cr. Matthews moved that the Coun- « oil regrets Cr. McLeod’s retirement and records it® appreciation of his services over a period of 25 years. This was carried by acclamation.