RETRENCHMENT BEGUN.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1075, 9 April 1921, Page 3

RETRENCHMENT BEGUN.

WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS,

At its meeting on Thursday the Waitomo County Council considered important recommendations from its finance committee. In introducing the matter the committee, in the course of its report, stated that after having regard to the present unexampled financial stringency, it is almost impossible to believe that ifor some little time to come it will be possible to float special loans, and that in consequence but little, if any, new constructional work can be done during the stringency. The Council should consider exhaustively the administrative branches from a financial standpoint. This desire is further confirmed by the realisation that the ratepayers will, having regard to the present market and financial conditions, probably be hard-pressed for money, and that the rates should in consequence be reduced to an absolute minimum having due regard to the proper maintenance of all past undertakings. The committee considers it obvious that when new works cannot be undertaken and when maintenance is reduced to the lowest economic minimum, the clerical work will be materially reduced accordingly. 'So, too, will'be the work and 'responsibility of the engineer and the engineer-< ing staff. Retrenchment Recommended.

For these reasons, continues the report, and not because of any lack of confidence in the staff or any lack of appreciation of the value of the staff's services, the committee recommends: —

(a) That the salary of the county clerk be reduced by £SO per annum. (b) That the salary of the engineei be reduced by £IOO per annum. (c) That the services of Messrs. Brown and Harrison, the assistant engineers, be dispensed with, after due notice.

Id) That the salary of the office assistant be reduced to £2 per week. The committee would po : nt out that its recommendation to the above effect is that the reduction in salary should be purely temporary and: should remain in force till better conditions disclose themselves, and so far as the reductions in the staff ars concerned, until there is reason to believe that by reason of the reductions there is a loss in efficiency. The committee further recommends that the engineer be instructed to make as little use as possible of the council's motor-car consistent with the efficient execution of his work. Expert Advice Wanted. In view of its conviction that administration costs generally should be reduced as low as possible consistent with efficiency, the committee recommends that an expert in county clerical administration should be employed to investigate and report on the past and future clerical administration of the Council's affairs. In doing this, it expressly-desires to state that it in no wise casts any reflection on the clerical officials of the council, but adopts the proposal purely in the interests of the ratepayers, and from a deeply rooted desire to see that the best and most economical system of clerical administration is adopted. There may be some possible difficulty in getting an expert capable of supplying a valuable report, but it suggests that possibly the services of Mr H. W. Wilson, lately town clerk of Auckland, might, be secured. Posits for (Enquiry. The committee suggests that the expert should report on the following points:— . 1. How the administration expenses (clerical) of the council can be reduced to a minimum having due regard to efficiency in the necessary undertakings of the council. 2. Whether the clerical administration in the past has been efficient and economical, and, if it has 'failed in either particular, where it has so failed. 3. Whether the present system of accounting and of keeping records is satis/factory, or whether, in either regard, an improved system could be introduced. 4. Whether generally anything can be done in relation to the clerical administration which would in any way improve it, or make it efficient or economical. 5. To report generally to the council on the past clerical administration in relation to any matters which should in the opinion of the expert be taken into consideration by the Council.

6. Whether the remuneration up to the present paid to the clerical staff is reasonable having regard to the volume and extent of the Council's undertakings and the work and responsibility involved. Works' Policy Affected.

Similarly, the committee for the same reasons and still without casting any reflections on the present

staff, recommends that an engineering expect be employed to consider and report to the Council on the following points:— (a) How the engineering administration expenses of the council can be reduced to a minimum having due regard to efficiency. (b) Whether the engineering administration in the past has been efficient and economical.

(c) Whether the present system of engineering accounting and of keeping engineering records is satisfactory or whether in either regard an improved system could be introduced. • (d) Whether the standard of past constructional work is satisfactory having regard to:, (a) the cost, (b) the extent of the probable use which such work will have to withstand and (c) generally. I' ' (e) Whether the standard of past maintenance work is satisfactory having regard to (a) the cost, (b) the financial means of the council and (c) generally (f) Whether any change in the present system of engineering administration is in any way desirable. (g) Whether any change is desirable in the method of carrying out maintenance work.

(h) Whether generally any future constructional work should be executed upon new lines, whether as regards irieithjod or material leaving regard to the financial means of the Council and the present and probable future needs of the district.

(i) Whether having regard to the volume of past engineering work: (a) The remuneration of the engineering staff has been adequate and (b) the engineering department has heen adequately staffed and (c) they should be in any way reorganised when the same volume of work again comes to be undertaken.

The committee feels that the expense involved in employing the ex-i pert suggested would be money weir spent and therefore recommends the expenditure despite its reluctance to countenance anything in the way of unusual disbursements. As in the case of the clerical expert, the committee realises that there may be some difficulty in procuring the services of an engineering erpert, but it suggests that if possible the services of Mr Mair of Hunterville be enlisted. The committee of course assumes that every possible assistance will be rendered to the expert by the members of the staff, and that all the books of account, records, and documents of the council will be available to them when desired.

Ifeed to Go Slow. The chairman said he regretted very much to have had to submit the report but the Council deemed it their duty to "go slow" in view of the financial strain existing. Mr Mora, the County Clerk, addressing the Council, said the decision of the finance committee did not surprise him. He had felt for some months past that something would have to be done to curtail ovei'head expenses and having the interests of the county at heart was quite prepared to accept the position. With regard to the appointing of an expert to go through the accounts to see if an easier and more satisfactory system could be adopted, he was of opinion that great good might result. The public and even the councillors could not realise the responsibility and work that was on the shoulders of the clerk with regard to the several accounts and he would welcome any expert suggestions for a better and more simple system than the one he had adopted. The Council had his sympathy in connection with their attempts to curtail the overhead expenses during this present era of finascial stringency. Mr H. C. Hogg, the engineer, spoke in similar terms to those of Mr Mora and said he thoroughly appreciated the position and agreed that the Council was right in taking the step they had to reduce expenditure. At the same time he trusted they would realise that the amount of work devolving in him owing to a reduced staff was more than one man should hate and he hoped they would recognise that under the circumstances they could not expect to have the work to be done carried out as quickly as formerly. The chairman s aid he was proud to hear the two officers speak as they had and felt sure the Council felt proud of them. Cr. Were having spoken similarly, the Council went into committee to discuss the report which was subsequently adopted.