SUGGESTED OVERHAUL

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1285, 14 November 1911, Page 4

SUGGESTED OVERHAUL

IT/TONE'S MUNICIPAL STAFF. The question of staff reorganisation— rather a kind of general overhaul—occupied the attention of tho Petone Borough Council for a brief period last evening. The question arose out of .some reference to tlio method adopted of dealing with the applications for the position of junior clerk in the borough office. Councillor C. P. Brocklebank mentioned that tho Works and Finance Committee were understood to have liad before it tho whole of the applications for tho position. It had fjneo transpired that certain applications had not been seat forward by tho town clerk. Ho thought that somo explanation ought to be given. The town clerk explained that ho had rejected from tho list sent forward certain applications without tostimouials, others because tho applicants were too young, and also (hose lrom girls. Councillor Brocklebank was not satisfied. The whole of the applications should be dealt with by tho council, he contended. Councillor 1?. W. Short, apropos of the proposed appointment, raised tho question of a thorough investigation of the duties of the borough's administrative affairs. He moved that in order to effect a reorganisation of fhe office staff, Mr. Clark, municipal auditor to the Wellington Corporation, be asked to report upon the management and duties of the staff, the personnel necessary, and commensurate scale of salaries. hi tho meantime, the staff should, lie said, receive two months' notice, as from December 1, inn. Other municipal bodies, lie pointed out, had adopted this method of renewing their administrative organisation, with good results.' It was no use tinkering with matters. The conditions at present existing were not a.s they should be; there was not that harmonious working that should be a sine qua non of good management. The staff required to be placed upon a proper footing, and though this was an unpleasant duty, it was a duty tho council owed to the ratepayers. The Mayor pointed out that the question would, require notice of motion. Councillor Short understood that it was quite properly a question arising out of the subject under discussion. "We are discussing the methods of appointing a junior clerk," said the Mayor. After further discussion, Councillor Short agreed to defer his motion till the next meeting of the council. It was also agreed io extend tho closing'daWbf' the applications, which will be dealt v.ith by tho council.