ADMINISTRATION COSTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 450, 16 December 1930, Page 8

ADMINISTRATION COSTS

HARBOUR BOARD REVIEW A MOTION HELD OVER After the subject had been fully debated, the Wanganui Harbour Board yesterday decided that the time was not yet opportune for i revision of the Board’s administration, staff problems and wages. Mr Higginbottom had given notice f motion to move: “That a small committee be set up to go into the following matters and report: (1) The question of staff and expenses of cool stores; (2) lephones, motor cars, house allowance, etc.: (3) the engineer’s department; (4) the general staff.” The Mover’s Views. In. moving the motion, Air Higginbottom said that there had been a good deal of comment on the workings of the Harbour Board. 'Chat was why he was bringing forward the motion. It would do some good in the community. With regard to the Government stores it had been made apparent in the last month or six weeks that they would not get back those factories that had left. The factories that had left had supplied 45.7 per cent of the produce. They had to watch the position on behalf of the district. He found that in all there were 16 telephones, which cost £lBO. Most of the ’phones were necessary in view of an emergency, but it might be that one or two were unnecessary. They had also bought a

car for the cool stores. The house allowance could also come under review. They could go into the position of the engineer ami his staff. Air Higginbottom said that he wanted the Board to show the public that they were alive to the position. The public thought that they were doing a lot cf things that were unnecessary. He suggested that the committee should consist of the chairman, himself and one other. The committee would go into the position quietly. It was not proposed to do anything dra. ic. Air J. Patterson voiced his objection to the matter being dealt with by a committee, and not by the whole Board. Air Donald Ross seconded the motion. Be thought that it was a good thing. Chairman’s Statement. The chairman, Mr .1. 'l'. Hogan, dealt with the position in a very exhaustive maimer. He pointed out that there had been enquiries, and the setting up ot committees ever since the Board came into office. He then proposed to state all the committees that had prepared reports for the Board, and the reports that had been given at the Board’s request by the secretary and by the engineer. Th review occupied some time and dealt with many and varied subjects The speaker said he was sure that it was ample evidence that the Board was watching expenditure carefully. In view of all the reports and that it was practically a new Board he did not think that it was necessary at th present juncture, to go into tl[e expenditure and try to cut down costs. To his mind an enquiry might be necessary if they were successful with the loan. If they were not successful, then it might be necessary to cut down expenses. In his opinion it should be deferred for four months.

Air Donald Ross asked why the expenses were going up. The chairman, said that the expenses must go up with the revenue. He said that he would venture to say that they had now passed the turning point and the coming year would be a fairly good year for the Board. Any saving that could be made would be on a very minor matter. He would rather sec the matter held over until the loan had been cither sanctioned or turned down.

Mr Higginbottom's Reply. Mr Higginbottom said that he had no apology to make. It was his last year oh the Board, and he had decided that he would not tand for reelection next year. He was not vote catching. They should deal with the Board’s affairs as they would deal with their own. They should overhaul their finances and their working expenses from time to time: In view of the statements that had been made he thought that it was necessary for the committee to go into the matter. Afer a short round-the-table discussion, the mover agreed to hold over his motion until a future meeting, the date of its consideration not being fixed.