AN UPPER HUTT TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 257, 14 July 1926, Page 9

AN UPPER HUTT TROUBLE

MAYOR v, TOWN CLERK COUNCIL SIDES WITH EMPLOYEE What may bo termed the third round of the alleged differences between the Mayor of Upper Butt (Mr. A. J- McCurdy) and the town clerk (Mr. L. F. Grimstone) (both in their official capar cities) ended at a meeting ol the Upper Hutt Borough Council last night in a victory for the clerk, the usual serenity of tho borough’s meetings receiving a disturbing shock. The occasion was a notice of motion by the Mayor that applications be invited for the position of town clerk at a salary, of £260 per annum, rising by two annual increments of £2O to £3OO per annum. Conditions of employment to include permission to engage in otherwork (outside or inside office hours) subject to the previous consent of the council being obtained therefor." . The Mayor, in moving the motion, said: "J. have on previtxus occasions given my opinion with regard to, the work performed, or not performed, by our clerk. We have not a reply yet from the Audit Department with regard Io tho balance-sheet of the last ♦wolve mouths, but the Auditor-General has ruled, and the reply is coining, that he requires the balance-sheet in accordance with certain conditions. ■ We must have a balance-sheet for the local authority going out of existence from April I, 1925, to January 31, 1926, and we must have a. balance-sheet for tho East md West Wards from February 1, 1926, to March 31, 1926. Until wo get those we are not in a position to determine our position accurately. Certain bookkeeping which I suggested to the clerk would have to be done, has not been carried out, despite what I have so often said. We do not know yet what amounts are to be charged to the East and West Wards. The council, whether fortunately or unfortunately. I am not prepared to sav. has two ex-town clerks at it s table. But it is . not their duty to do the work for which the present town clerk is paid. Them are other matters I have inquired into, and I have been to Palmerston North for the purpose of investigating them. Tho facts are not such as can be published in the papers, hut it seems as though nearly everybody there knows of them.” . . Councillor Greig: I rise to a. point of order. You are referring to matters outside the motion. Anyhow, your motion has not been seconded yet. The Mayor: What is your point of order? I am speaking to my motion which I am going to ask yon to vote upon. I am not going fo be stalled off. I nm dealing with a matter reflecting on this council. Councillor Greig: Then get on with the matter and stop attacking the clerk's private character. Mr. McCurdv: T am dealing with facts that can be verified. It is not desirable to have him here. There was a two-up school , , Councillor Greig (heatedly): What if there is a two-up school here? What has that to do with .the matter? Can’t yon rise to your position as Mayor and cut out the"personalities? Councillor. Blewman also rose to a point of order, and observed that there was no vacancy for the town clerkship. “There is no dual position.” he said, "and we dou’t want two clerks.” The Mayor instanced tho case of the Lower Hutt Borough as a precedent where advertisements were. published calling for applications for tne position, of borough engineer before the engineer they then had had been dismissed. "I am moving definitely this resolution in my name." he added. “I want you to be definite in vour decision upon it. I want no hedging. If you vote against the resolution it will show that von are content. But let pie sav this, that I. as Mayor, am not going to let the matter stand there. After a little hesitation. Councillor C. L. A. Spearman seconded the motion, which, put to the meeting, was lost by 7 votes to 2. Those in favour were the Mayor and Councillor C. L. A. Spearman, and those rgainst were Councillors T R. ,Tamie=c.r. Howell, .1. Blewman. W„ Greig. .1. M. Beecliey, T. K. Johns'on. and H. E Lodge.