ORGANISATION

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 307, 23 September 1926, Page 8

ORGANISATION

cm COUNCIL DEPARTMENTS PROPOSED EXPERT INQUIRY REJECTED MATTER LEFT TO NEW OFFICERS "That in view of the lack of organisation disclosed by the commission on the Northland tunnel, this council obtains the services of an expert or experts to inquire into and report on the methods and organisation of the various council departments, and to suggest how the same can be improved." The above were the terms of a motion submitted, in accordance with notice, by Councillor G. A. Troup at yesterday’s special meeting of the City Council. Councillor Troup said he wished it understood that he was not moving in this matter in any critical spirit, but in one of helpfulness. It was very obvious to anyone that the organisation of the various departments was not all that was tp be desired, Whether councillors were prepared to admit it or not, that was strikingly brought home by the findings of the Northland Tunnel

i Commission, which i was composed of | Messc s. McLean 1‘ and Holmes, two •• outstanding engini eers. On the rei ceipt of their report > councillors were asj tonished to learn i how such a lack of organisation obtainI ed in the engineer’s department. Whilst before its appear-

ance councillors tniefht have pleaded ignorance, after its publication they could no longer shelter themselves behind that plea. The public mipd had been disturbed. If that was the condition of affairs in the most important branch of the service, what must the position be in the other branches? The public wished to be reassured. The Mavor and councillors were really responsible for the state of things, and were doubly responsible for their continuance after the receipt of the Tunnel Commission s report. All he wished the council to do was to emplov an expert or experts to inquire qnietlv into the methods and svstem of organisation. It was not his intention to ask for a commissioner before whom evidence would be given and rebutted, or to institute any inquisitorial inquiry. The expert engaged would go into the various offices, confer with the heads, discuss with them improved methods and organisation, and see how thev could be improved; and then forward his decisions on to the committees concerned. He (Councillor Troup) knew it was m the mind ot some of the councillors to leave this to the man who was coming from England, but it was rather a thankless thing to ask him to clean up a lot of things at the beginning of his term for which the council was responsible. Councillor J. Aston seconded the resolution. He thought that nothing would be lost and perhaps a good deal would be gained by employing an outside expert to go into departmental organisation. It might prevent overlapping and save money. The Mayor did not favour the motion and pointed out that it might be awkward for the new men who were coming along if something new were decided upon immediately before they assumed office. There might be two or three kinds of organisation, one as good as the other, but management was the big factor. When the notice of motion was given they were not surprised* but now that at.great trouble they had gone all over the world and had picked up the very man Council lor Troup was looking >t seen l? they could do nothing further. He hoped that councillors would vote on the motion, feeling actually that they had secured the man Councillor Troup was looking for in his resolution. After all it was skilful management which made organisation a success Councillor R- Semple said tha whilst he was in agreement with all Councillor Troup had said, he was not prepared to vote for the motion. The motion should have been considered after the Northland tunnel exposure. Councillor Troup: That wasn t my Semple: No, I know that. Still these men who are coming along might take exception to a new set oi conditions not suggested by them. The motion was lost on the voices.