RESCINDING MOTIONS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 221, 15 June 1934, Page 6

RESCINDING MOTIONS

City Engineer’s Department REORGANISATION MOVE The question whether the city engineer’s department was over-staffed aud lacked co-ordination was argued at length by the Wellington City Council last night, when Cr. T, Forsyth moved to rescind resolutions placed on the books earlier in the year setting up a committee to reorganise the department. Cr. Forsyth moved: “That the following resolution passed on February 15, 1934, be rescinded: ‘That in view of the fact that the council has decided to do certain of its major works by contract, the council set up a committee to reorganise the city engineer’s department with a view to reducing its costs.’ ” He moved further: “That the resolution setting up a committee to reorganise the city engineer’s department with a view to reducing the cost of same be rescinded.” Explaining his motions, Ur. Forsyth said that there was now no need for tin-, original resolution or for the committee, which was not com petent. in any case to reorganise the engineer’s department. This was a matter for an expert. The argument that the staff should lie reduced because much of the council’s work was being done by con* tract was simply misunderstanding the position, It was disorganising to the staff to know that a committee, of that kind had been set up. “Attempt td Stampede.” Cr. IV. Appleton: The real purpose of the original resolution was an attempt by certain councillors to stampede the engineers olfice. Cr. McKeeu: Point of order. 1 waut Cr. Appleton to name the members of the council who had Intimidated the staff. , Cr. Appleton: I would like to ask the city engineer if he will bear out my statement. The Mayor: The city .engineer cannot take part in the discussion. Cr. MeKeen: A member cannot make charges against other members without substantiating them. '‘This is a matter fbr Cr. Appleton, replied Mr. Hislop. “One hears frequent charges against officers and other councillors. I rule that there is no point of order." In opposing the motiou, Cr. R. M<> Keen said the reason the motion had been passed was that, owing to the fact of jobs being Ictby contract, the amount of work in the, engineer s nopartment had been reduced. He was still of opinion that the department was overstaffed because |t was not doing the jobs it ought to be doing. Already one commission had gone thoroughly Into the department’s work, said the Mayor. "No Attack .4lade.” “I waut to speak for Cr. Fraser and Cr. Semple, who are absent, and say tfiev have made no attack on any councillor or officer, as seems to be suggested,” said Cr. Butler. He said the only reason for the original resolution had been the fact that the department was incompletely organised and'needed overhauling. Members of the works committee who did keep in touch with the department would disagree entirely with Cr. Butler, said the Mayor. There was excellent organisation, but the department was working under difficulties because of the great amount of relief work. Less than three years ago every part of the organisation bad been overhauleel and in the engineer’s department alopO a saving of £7OOO to £BOOO was made from retrenchments and . non-replacements alone, without taking into account any salary cuts, Cr. Forsyth’s motions were carried by 7 votes to 5.