WELLINGTON MOTOR CAMP

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 9

WELLINGTON MOTOR CAMP

Duties Of Caretaker

CHAIRMAN OF AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION CRITICAL A copy of the conditions under which the Wellington City Council proposes to .appoint a caretaker to the municipal motor camp at Miramar North has come into the possession of Mr. E. A. Batt, chairman of the executive committee of the Automobile Association (Wellington), who had some comment to offer, saying he considered that it was his place to do so in view of the effect such conditions were likely to have on visiting motorists, in whose wellbeing he was interested. “I regard these conditions,” said Mr. Batt, "as being a most extraordinary proposal to a prospective caretaker of a motor camp, and I question very much whether many motorists would appreciate the camp if they were aware of the terms and conditions under which the caretaker was employed.

“In the first place there is no salary attaching to the position, and the applicant is invited to state the amount of commission he requires as remuneration from the camp fees. Presumably this is for the purpose of employing the man who will take the least commission. His remuneration apparently is to be derived from selling groceries in the camp canteen at prices not more than 10 per eent. above city prices. “Incidentally, does this not raise the question of excessive prices which . is under Government control, and furthermore, is the camp sufficiently isolated in any case to justify prices teeing 10 per cent., or any per cent, higher than those in the city or those of storekeepers within a few minutes of the camp? “This caretaker without a salarj’ is expected to carry out minor repairs and keep the camp in good order and regularly clean all buildings and structures. lie is also to appoint an assistant at his own expense, and furthermore, either he or bis assistant have to be on duty from 7 a.m. till 11 p.m. during the seven days of each week. In addition he must maintain order in the camp at all times and to do so it seems almost necessary, seeing that h'is residence may be,a quarter of a mile away- from the camp, that actually be would have to be on duty to know whether there was order or disorder. Too Much to Ask. “I think it is asking too much of any human being to work 16 hours a day, and also be responsible for the remaining eight hours. It seems a reasonable question to ask: Is there any other employee of the Wellington City Council compelled to work such hours. The official is instructed to collect all charges for the use of the camp, give receipts, and make accurate payments to the city treasurer. He must also keep alive an approved fidelity bond for £l5O. .Does it not seem reasonable that the council should pay the premium on the fidelity bond and not the caretaker? There also appears to be a considerable amount of clerical work involved, for he is required to supply information to the town clerk without delay on forms provided for the purpose and to be dealt with as instructed.

"The caretaker -is expected to conduct a canteen for the sale of groceries and camp requirements, and to stale what sum a month he is prepared to nay for the right to operate the canteen. Looking at this proposal by and large it appears to me that, if there is a man courageous enough to take this position and he has the physical strength to carry out the schedule of hours stipulated he could employ himself and his money very much better by opening a shop in a more populous location ami applying his energies to his own interests and without the necessity of working 16 hours a day. Separate Duties. “Is it not a ease where the duties of caretaker should be separated entirely from the trading side of the camp? Is there any reason why in a revenue-earning department of this kind the caretaker or caretakers should not be employed on exactly the same basis as the caretakers of the public baths or any oilier institution conducted by the council, and the business side of it left to those who set out in private enterprise; or have the .council a precedent in those employed in the public conveniences about, the city and the caretaker of the baths? “The Automobile Association has endeavoured for many years to persuade the council to establish a motor camp on modern lines similar to those in other cities and towns throughout the country. It appears from this document under review that it is being done with such fear and timidity that the council is endeavouring to operate it under conditions that will probably not be satisfactory to any caretaker or motorists who patronize it. I am inclined to think that, this matter has not been placed before the reserves committee, who have many employees in similar positions, and therefore should be in a position to decide on an adequately paid servant of the council to manage this new department.”