THE COUNCIL DIFFERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9826, 20 March 1923, Page 2

THE COUNCIL DIFFERS

MOTION FOR APPOINTMENT. A PRINCIPLE INVOLVED. CONSIDERATION DEFERRED. The Borough Council last night discussed at considerable length a motion by Mr H. R. C. McElrea that the office of Borough Engineer be offered to Mr George Guild. Members were in agreement concerning the valuable services Mr Guild had performed during his many years connection with the Council. They were divided, however, on the vital issue before the meeting, with the result that the motion was defeated by an amendment by Mr W. H. Woods that the consideration of the matter be deferred until the incoming council had been elected. In moving the adoption of a recommendation by the Works Committee that the position be offered to Mr Guild, Mr McElrea dwelt at very considerable length on the qualifications of the officer mentioned. The time had arrived when Ashburton should have a Borough Engineer, though, of course, it had not yet reached the stage when it could engage l a highsalaried man—a man who was more or less a specialist. But their opportunity was here to engage a practical man, one who would make _an excellent all-round Borough Engineer. Unless they offered him the position it was likely the chance of getting his sendees would be lost, as, in view of the Power House being taken over from the, Council, he would be seeking fresh fields, and doubtless other places were seeking good men. Mr McElrea claimed that it was highly desirable that the office of' Borough Engineer in Ashburton be created. Apart from actual work, it was necessary to have a man from whom the Council and the people alike could seek advice. His duties would, naturally, include the supervision of all plant, buildings, painting, and buying and selling of goods, valuing of material for sale, supervision of the abattoir machinery and all other machinery, clerk of works, building permits officer, water works, reticulation and repairs. There were important works ahead of the Council. The position should be offered at a salary not exceeding £390. The Finance Committee could go into this question. Mr Guild, said the proposer, was a conscientious, capable servant, and every inch a practical man. Mr F. Z. D. Fertriman seconded the motion, and endorsed all that had been said in Mr Guild’s favour. Mr W. G. Hillier, who made it clear that he had nothing but admiration for Mr Guild, considered that the committee was a little too previous in its action. Mr Guild had not handed in his resignation, nor had he been given notice. Before anything could be decided, the Council should have before it a proper schedule of duties, so that all might know exactly where they were. In any case, according to, the understanding with the Power Board, that body had to be; consulted before any changes of staff, which would affect them, were made. The Council had, in effect, pledged l Mr Guild’s services to the Power Board for a time, at least.

Mr W. _H. Woods moved that the consideration of the matter be deferred until the incoming council had assumed office. To take Mr Guild from the power-house now would be interfering with the Power Board arrangements. The understanding between the council and the board must be respected. To take the action suggested would not assist the council nor the board. The plant at the power-house would probably have to serve the community for seven or eight months yet. Mr Woods said that in any case he was not satisfied that, the appointment of a Borough Engineer at the immediate juncture was desirable. The council had been waiting some time now for certain appointments to be merged. The time for this, however, had not arrived. It would be necessary for them to have an inspector of public health, and he would have to be a sanitary plumber. Mr Guild was not a registered plumber. A sanitary plumber was necessary, not only for inside work, but for outside work as well, and to have two men would mean duplication, which was not tending to economy. A good foreman of works was all that was necessary in the meantime. Whether the position

suggested could be merged could not be decided until such time as the council decided what was going to be done regarding the sanitary drainage, water inspection, and health inspection. His reason for deferring an appointment of engineer was merely on the score of economy. The merging of offices would mean a big saving. Mr Woods agreed with Mr McElrea as to Mr Gill’s capabilities as a mechanical engineer, and paid a tribute to his work in connection with the water and lighting sei'vices. The residents had enjoyed an uninterrupted service for some years, for which they had to thank Mr Guild. There was a big principle involved, however. That was that they were offering the nosition to a man who had not previously had experience in a similar position, nor had he been in 1 the same department. It was wrong on principle that they should offer the position to anyone who had not been engaged in the particular department without first advertising the position. A position of such importance should be advertised, calling for applications in the proper manner. The council was nearing the end of the financial year. There might be a change in the personnel of the council, and the adoption of the motion would mean a change [of policy in the dying hours of the | council’s existence, which new policy would be put on the shoulders of the incoming council. He thought that the matter should be left over until such time as the appointments or otherwise of the public health inspector was made either by the council or the Health Department. He moved an amendment—“ That the matter be deferred- until the incoming council was sitting at this table.” Mr J. W. Bowden seconded the amendment. He failed to see how any man could carry out the duties outlined for £390 a year. The position should be advertised. Mr Bowden asked if Mr Guild had been interviewed about the position. Mr McElrea : Yes, he has been since the Works Committee meeting. Mr Bowden: I am very much averse to the position being offered at this particular juncture. Mr Hillier again emphasised that in opposing the motion he did so not

because of any lack of appreciation of Mr Guild, whom he admired, but merely to make the council’s position safe. They must first have before them a schedule of duties and other information. Mr W. Page pointed out that the time was close at hand when their present foreman (Mr J. Wackier) would be relinquishing office. He considered the committee should have brought down a recommendation that somebody be appointed acting foreman. This was a question which required decision without delay. Mr it. M. Dunlop also agreed that the position should be advertised. The various positions which the council had to offer must be carefully considered, as it was just a question as to whether the finances could stand them. Some method would have to be adopted in regard to those positions in order to cut down expenses as much as possible during the next few years. Mr R. Kerr supported Mr McElrea, saying a golden opportunity presented itself to obtain a good man. Mr Guild knew the town from A to Z, and, should he leave, he would be hard to replace. It was only a matter of transferring him from one job to another. Mr Kerr was certain the council would be doing the right thing in appointing Mr Guild. The Mayor: I must support the amendment. This is too important a matter to be dealt with more or less off-hand. In the dying hours of the present council it would hardly be fair to the incoming council to support the motion as proposed to-night. Replying, Mr McElrea said the amendment and motion were almost twin sisters. The motion did not appoint the man. It merely offered him the position. Members: It only requires acceptance. Mr McElrea contended that the speakers had missed his point. It was, hardly likely Mr Guild would accept without first wanting to know all about it. Members: He might accept it right off. ‘ Continuing, Mr McElrea said the matter would have to go before a select committee. The schedule of duties would have come up later. The duties he had mentioned were not so formidable as they would appear on paper. Mr Guild was prepared to accept the position provided satisfactory arrangements could be made, for the reason that there was no security of tenure in his present position for the reason of the Power Board taking over. Mr Guild was of opinion he could do all the work required of him. As regards advertising the position, the council, it seemed, intended to shirk its duty respecting the appointment, and allow a certain time to elapse. If they did not get the services of Mr Guild, they would not get those of a fullyqualified engineer at anything under £SOO or £6OO per annum. The amendment was put and carried, the voting being:— For: The Mayor, Messrs W. H. Woods, J. W. Bowden, W. G. Hillier, W. Page, and R. M. Dunlop. Against: Messrs H. R. C. McElrea, W. Kerr, F. Z. D. Ferriman, W. H. Robinson, and E. H. Childs. The amendment then became _ the substantive motion and was carried. On the motion of Mr Bowden, it was decided that the appointment of an acting-foreman he left with the Mayor and the chairman of the Works Committee.