COUNTY OF OTOROHANGA.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1243, 16 May 1922, Page 5

COUNTY OF OTOROHANGA.

THE INAUGUKAL MEETING.

MR LURMAN ELECTED CHAIRMAN*

(Own Correspondent)

The first meeting of ted Otorohanga County Council was held in the Town Board chambers, Otorohanga, yesterday morning. The returning officer (Mr S. J.. Fortescue) presided, and having announced the result of the poTi. declared the following, elected as the Council:— Wharepapa Riding: Messrs J. B. Teasdale and J. T. Young. Mangaorongo: Messrs H. A. Lurman and J. B. Cooper. Waipa: Mr W Irvine. Honikiwi: Mr B. Budden. Te Rau-a-Moa: Mr F. Potts.

The councillors having taken their seats nomination for the chairmanship were called for. Election of Chairman.

Cr. Cooper proposed and Cr. Budden seconded, that Cr. Lurman be' appointed chairman. Cr. Teasdale proposed Cr. Potts, stating that he (Cr. Potts), had had gome twenty years' experience in county matters, and had also been their representative on the Hospital Board. Cr. Young seconded this. On the matter being, put to the meeting Cr. Lurman was declared elected and took his seat as chairman. Financial Matters^

It was decided to have one member from each riding to form a legal and finance committee. Therefore, Crs. Teasdale, Lurman, Budden, Potts, and Irvine were appointed. It was unanimously resolved' that the Bank of New Zealand be appointed the County Council bank. It was further decided that any two members of the Council be empowered to sign cheques conjointly with the secretary. Office of Clerk. The appointment of clerk, treasurer and returning officer to the Council was next considered, Mr S. J. Fortescue having retired from the room. Or. Potts suggested £3OO as a salary to be offered for secretary, and £l5O for typiste. Cr. Budden was of opinion that the salary should not necessarily fixed, and that applicants should be asked to name the amount required

Cr. Teasdale thought that a straight out salary to the clerk to include every branch of office work should be offered. He thought £350 N would cover this.

Cr. Young deprecated cheeseparing in the matter, and Cr. Budden supported this sentiment. The matter was held over to allow of the appointment of a solicitor to the county, and this resulted in the selection of Mr F. 0. Phillips. Mr Phillips, in reply to questions, stated that he thought they must have both a good clerk and a Capable typist. This should mean a salary of £3OO or £350 alone. Cr. Cooper moved that applications be called for the position of clerk, returning officer, and treasurer, at a salary of £3OO. Cr. Budden seconded the motion, which was carried. iMr S. J. Fortescue was appointed temporary clerk, and he resumed his duties at the table. Engineer. The appointment of an engineer was next discussed, and after a lengthy criticism of the financial position. Cr. Budden moved that applications be invited for the position of engineer to the county, applicants to state salary required. This was not seconded, and on Cr. Cooper's motion it was resolved that the position be offered to Mr Gould on a half-time basis, he to be free to keep his present position with the Kawhia County. Mr Gould is to be asked to attend the next meeting of the council to discuss the matter; in the meantime Mr Gould to carry on, as heretofore in connection with the road boards. Works in Progress. It was decided to arrange with the Waitomo County engineer to carry on and finish the Taihaia Soldiars' Settlement road and drain, and also to 1 supervise the work in connection with the groin on the Waipa River road; also that the Waitomo County Council be asked to draw the subsidy due on the deviation at Walker's. , General. i The monthly meeting of th? Council was fixed for the third Monday in each month. The offer of the Otorohanga Town Board for the free use of the Board's chambers for the purposes of the Council's meetings—until the County found offices' of their own—was accepted with thanks. The solicitor was instructed (1) to go into the matter of by-laws; (2) to take the necessary steps to make the Otorohanga County Council a registration body in regard to motor cars, etc.; (3) to draw up special by-laws in regard to heavy traffic, bearing especially in mind those appertaining to heavy motor traffic and timber and shingle carting; and (4) to confer with the County Council in regaYd to the adjusting of the liabilities 'Between the two counties, and also the two road boards.

The legalising of the Paewhenua - Waipa River road was left in the hands of the solicitor.

It was resolved that authority be given to any of the councillors of any riding to spend £lO in cases of emergency work. It was resolved that the present foremen and surfacemen be instructed to carry on until such time that an engineer be appointed, when permanent arrangements would be made. . It was decided that the council join the Counties' Association. Bating Values. ' The question of rating was fully discussed, the majority of the Council appearing to be in favour of rating on unimproved value rather than on the capital value. Cr. Budden spoke strongly in favour of the unimproved value rating which he considered the fairest and most just. The chairman was of similar opinion. Cr. Irvine was not quite sure that it would suit the back-blocks man. The matter was left in abeyance, as it was a ratepayers' question