Penalty On Fire Officer Reduced

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31366, 11 May 1967, Page 14

Penalty On Fire Officer Reduced

The penalty on Station Officer G. Cruickshanks, who was demoted to senior fireman for six months from January 12 for allowing his fiancee to visit him at the Harewood fire station for longer than allowed under brigade orders, was reduced by the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board last evening.

Mr W. R. Campbell, the chairman, proposed that because of Mr Cruickshank’s impending marriage the board should remit the outstanding period of his demotion from June 1, this being the date he would resume duty after extended leave, and that he should be actingstation officer on probation for six months.

His motion, which was carried after defeat of an amendment lessening the period of demotion, added that the board reaffirmed its opinion that flouting of brigade orders was a serious breach of discipline, and one not expected of a man of mature years. The board received a telegram from the Fire Brigades’ Union that officers would go on strike from next Saturday.

The telegram did not give any reason, and Mr Campbell said newspaper reports were that it was because of Mr Cruickshank’s demotion. He would not comment on suggestions that his motion was an attempt to avert the strike.

It was also agreed that the board’s liaison committee would meet union representatives to discuss the strike. What had prompted the suggested motion? Was it an attempt to avoid a strike? Mr J. R. Smith asked. Mr Campbell: There has been no further discussion with the union.

Mr F. G. McKechnie: There must be some reason for the tabling of the motion out of the blue.

Mr Campbell: I have had no further discussions with the union since the last meeting. To Mr T. H. Boyle, Mr Campbell said the penalty on Mr Cruickshanks dated from January 12. The penalty was being reduced by five weeks.

"In other words, we are saying, ‘Carry on, and watch your step’,” he said. Mr Boyle’s amendment that the penalty be reduced to six weeks’ suspension lapsed for want of a seconder.

Mr Smith sought to have the penalty reduced to suspension to three months, which would have expired on April 12. Mr Boyle seconded this, but it was defeated on the voices.

“We are not living in the days of our grandfathers,” Mr Smith said-. Nothing immoral had been involved, although there had been a breach of brigade orders. “Let’s be a little more moderate in our outlook, and three months’ penalty is as much as any man should suffer,” he said. “That is even more than I would have expected if I had been in this man’s position. I think we have gone over the fence altogether.” “Not Restricted” Mr W. E. Olds complained that the board had no opportunity to discuss the threatened strike. Mr Campbell: You can discuss anything you like. You are not restricted. The motion proposed by Mr Campbell was a “mild palliative,” Mr Olds said. It was designed to tempt the officers to call off their strike. His idea was that the officers and the board should “talk matters out.” Mr Smith: Would it not be correct to say you are moving this to avoid the strike? Mr Campbell: You are putting words in my mouth.

It was evident that the woman involved was pot brought in from the street, but was a respectable young woman who was marrying Mr Cruickshanks, said Mr N. G. Pickering. Orders were orders, and discipline must be maintained, but it seemed that Mr Cruickshanks had paid sufficient penalty.

There had been a serious breach of brigade orders, Mr Campbell said, not just . a minor breach.