DISMISSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 38, 14 February 1924, Page 13

DISMISSED.

DEVONPORT TOWN CLERK. CASHIER DISRATED. arising out of certain disclosures made recently in connection with the fairs of the Devonport Borough Council a special meeting of the council was Md k ß * l evenm £- •H^ B Worship the jfayor (Mr. T. Lamont) presided, and others present were Messrs. J. Mays, W. Perry Taylor, B. Aldridge, J. Hislop, g. Bond, A. V. Fraer, A. Bartley, E. H. Little, and S. W. Lurford. There was also a good attendance of ratepayers. The question of discussing the office staff was broached when Mr. Fraer moved that the matter be taken in committee, and his reasons for moving in this direction were, first, because it would afford eoiincillors freedom of speech, and, secondly, would provide members with the right to speak more than once to any motion. At the same time he welcomed the fullest publicity, which he thought would be extended to the public The Mayor strongly opposed the motion, and at once moved an amendment, that the matter be dealt with in open council and that it be threshed out in public. Mr. Fraer said that with aTI deference to his Worship, he did not think they should deal then with the matter in public However, he had also moved early, because if the council had intended going into committee it wu no use the public waiting. Over £300 Still Missing. In opening the matter for which the meeting had been called, his Worship reviewed the incidents which led to an audit being made of the council's books, and the subsequent arrest and trial of the town clerk, James Wilson, on a charge of the theft of £768 of the borough funds, on which charge Wilson was acquitted. At the present time there was an amount of £362 of the borough funds missing, and there was not the slightest trace to show where it had gone. There was just a chance that the money might be recovered by civil action, as the members of the staff had been insured under fidelity bonds, ranging from £500 in the case of Wilson to £200 in the case of those holding less important positions. Th* money had vanished, and he proposed that all members of-the staff who had handled loaned cash or conveyed it to Wilson shuuld be asked to tender their resignations. Any member of the staff thus affected could ask to be reinstated, and the council" could consider the applications. , His Worship .mentioned that Wilson had on Monday intimated his intention of resigning, but since then he had informed his Worship that, acting on the advice of solicitors, he would not resign, but would leave himself in the hands of the counciL "I move,'- , said the Mayor, "that James Wilson be dismissed from his position as totvn clerk and all other positions held by him under this council, such dismissal to take effect as from to-day; also that applications be invited for th e position of town clerk at a salary Of £400, applications to be received up to March 5." Mr. E. Aldridge said he would second. the motion, but he did so with regret,. He said- the couiicil must realise the position was one which must be dealt with firmly. He must speak of the way in which his Worship iad upheld the dignity of the Mayoral chair and made every effort to maintain discipline hi the ofiice. Mr. Taylor also supported the motion. On being put to the council the motion was carried unanimously. Members of the Staff. A discussion then ensued as to what procedure should bu adopted concerning certain other members of the staff. Sir. Fraer moved that the council should go into committee, but this was opposed by the Mayor, who moved that certain members of tho staff should be called upon to send in their resignations, and that they could then make* application for reinstatement, when the council could then meet and hear them in defence, Mr. Fraer: I want to go right through with it here to-night and have done with it. The Mayor: I hardly think it fair that members of the staff should be diecussed in their absence. Mr. Fraer: Have you asked another member of the staff besides Wilson what she or he intends to do? The Mayor then read, a letter he had written to a member of the staff, suggesting resignation. Mr Little: What is the object of asking the staff to resign. Are other members under suspicion? The Mayor: Have you any opinion? Mr. Little: Not at all. I think ii must vote against you. If you request a member of the staff to resign ifc casts a slur Hpon him or her. It leaves & stigma. Question of Negligence. The Mayor: I want to make this clear. We have not dismissed Wilson for dishunesty. He has been negligent. And any member of the staff will'be discussed on the question of negligence. I only move asking .for the resignations of those who gave or conveyed money to Wilson. ' ■ Mr. Aldridge seconded the motion. He said .the council should take into consideration, that they, and not the office staff, were trustees of the ratepayers' money. They were elected by popular vote to safeguard the interests of the borough. The office staff (seemed to think they were on the same footing as a private trading concern,' whereas they were really the servants of the people under the direction of the council. On being put to the meeting the motion was lost, 6 to 3. Mr. Fraer then moved that the Council go into committee to discuss each member of the staff concerned. This was carried by 5 to 4. Upon resuming in open council it was resolved that the resignation of S. W. H. Chambers, assistant town clerk, tbe not accepted; that the position of. the whole staff be reviewed by tile council six months from date; that Mi&s Paulbaum be transferred- from her position of cashier to a position in the electricity department at a reduced salary. It was also resolved that the council's solicitors be instructed to take action for the recovery of the iost money from the late town clerk.