GUY AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 15

GUY AFFAIRS

COUNCIL'S FORTNIGHTLY MEETING The City Council held its fortnightly meeting last night; present—The Mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox), Crs AV. A. Scott, J. J. Marlow, W. H. Shepherd, J. L. M'lndoe, A. H. Allen, M. Silverstone, H. C. Campbell, J. B. ’Shacklock, AV. Begg, \V. H. Borrie. GRAND LODGE REUNION. The Secretary of the Grand Lodge, International Order of Good Templars, wrote inviting the council to appoint a representative to attend the reunion of past and present members which was to be held in connection with the diamond jubilee celebrations. Or Shacklock was appointed to represent the council. RESERVES. The only clause in the Reserves Committee’s report to stimulate any comment was the following:—“ Consideration has been given to a petition from the relief workers employed at the afforestation nursery at the Botanic Gardens for payment of standard rates of pay. The bulk of these men are classi--hod as unfit f or ordinary work, and hence were grouped for work at the nursery, where the nature of the operations does not call for heavy labour. The petitioners drew attention to the fact that the relief workers to be cm- ' ployed on the plantations at Waipori are to have their wages brought up to the standard rate. In the case of the AVaipori work, however, the operations call for comparatively heavy manual labour, and men are selected who are physically able to perform such labour and stand up to camp conditions end exposure to all kinds of weather. Under ordinary conditions, all the essential works required at the gardens nursery would be carried out by two of the department’s regular staff, working full time. The committee has accordingly advised the petitioners that it is unable to accede to the request contained in the petition.” Cr Silverstone said the clause was quite all right inasmuch as it was m accordance with the policy of the council, but he considered that the second last sentence was unnecessary. AVere th,ey to believe that the work of fourten or fifteen men was equal to that of two of the regular employees? Cr M'lndoe: It is just about it. Cr‘Silverstone: I refuse to believe jt. I consider that part of the clause an insult. You cannot make reasonable men believe it is true. AVhy should we not simply say that we have not the finances available to meet (he request instad of insulting the men? The whole inference is incorrect, and should never have appeared in the report. lam surprised at the attitude of some committees which set themselves but to hurt the men’s feelings. Cr M'lndoe: Rubbish. The Mayor- said be quite agreed to a certain extent with Cr Silverstone However, the sentence was not as bad as it appeared on the surface, for it relief workers were employed they would be two or three day a week men, and, naturally they could not do as much as if they were working full time Cr M'lndoe said he must protest against the tone of Cr Silverstqne’s remarks. The sentence was not intended as a reflection on the men. and Cr Silverstone had jumped to conclusions. The matter might have beeriv put in an unfortunate way. but certainly no reflection was intended. The report was adopted. OTHER REPORTS. The reports of the Library, AA’orks. and AVater Committees were adopted without discussion. TENDERS. The tender of P. R. Taylor for the supply and delivery of a motor omnibus chassis to scat twenty-nine passengers was accepted in the sum of £995. Tlie tenders for the construction of additions to the surf bathing pavilion at St. Clair were referred to the General Committee. CAR OR MOTOR CYCLE? In moving the adoption of the General Committee’s report, Cr M'lndoe said he did not- altogether approve of the clause recommending the purchase of a motor cycle to replace the secondhand car which had been used by the traffic inspection staff for some time, and which bad now reached the end of its economic life. Traffic inspectors had to go out in all .weathers, and he thought it would be better if they had another car. Jt certainly would bo more in keeping with the standing of the department to have a car, but half a loaf was better than no bread, and so, more or less under protest, he would agree to the clause. Cr Campbell said he would like the council to refer the matter back to the committee for further consideration. He did not approve of a man of mature years being asked to jump on a motor cycle and ride it round in the course of his duties. The mayor, concurred with Crs M'lndoo and Campbell, and Cr M'lndoe said he was quite prepared to accept Cr Campbell’s amendment that the clause be referred back.

The amendment was seconded by Cr Marlow, but was lost by 6 votes to 5.

“ What ? Cr Borrie voting for a motor cycle?” asked Cr Campbell in surprise, as he surveyed the array of hands against the amendment. “ They shake up the liver,” remarked Cr Scott.

TEPID BATHS IUGHT-OF-AVAY. The General Committee’s report drew a question from Cr Allen as to whether the council had much of a bargain in the free use of the tepid baths right-of-way in perpetuity in return for repairs costing £lO5 and future maintenance. After all, they now paid £lO per annum under a lease that could be terminated at any time. Cr Shacklock supported Cr Allen. Cr Marlow stressed the fact that the council were the greatest users of the right-of-way, which had always been in a bad state of repair because it was “nobody’s baby ” Cr Shepherd asked whether the council was bound to maintain the right-of-way permanently oven if the baths were removed. Cr M'lndoe explained that the capital cost of £lO5 would be equalled by the necessary expenditure in connection with a manhole and other provisions, which comprised the only alternative. In respect of the term of the agreement it could be terminated by the council at twelve months’ notice at any time. The committee’s report was adopted. ST. CLAIR BATHING PAVILION. Another ihatter briefly referred to when the General Committee’s report was being discussed was the St. Clair Bathing Pavilion, Cr Shacklock stating that he failed to see the necessity foxenlarging it. Gr M'lndoe explained that the proposed additions to the pavilion were to the life-saving section only. The lifesaving men made the surf, safe for the public, and at present their accommodation was very cramped. He was not sure of the exact figures, but he thought the cost would be between £l7O and £2OO. TRAMS AND BUSES. Moving the adoption of the Tramway Committee’s report, Cr Campbell referred to the necessity to replace two buses that had seen their best days, and remarked on the satisfactory figures revealing that the traffic returns were on the up grade. He added that it' was unfortunate, however, that two wet week-ends would adversely affect the returns for the present month. The motion was seconded by Cr Scott. Cr M'lndoe congratulated the committee on the forward move which ho said was disclosed in the decision to get a compression ignition Diesel engined bus. No doubt the experience gained by the tramway manager at the conference in Australia had something to do with that. In London that type of engine was being used quite extensively. He wished to make sure, however, if the use of oil would be a saving. Ho knew there would be a saying as far as ordinary consumption was concerned, but he understood that there were Government regulations that somewhat, offset the lower fuel cost. Cr Silverstone asked if the figures in the traffic manager’s returns included or excluded the business done by the buses. Cr Campbell replied that the matter of using the Diesel engines, had been under consideration for some time, and, as it was now thought that their functions had reached the stage of perfection, it had been decided to introduce them.- It was anticipated that they would use the new bus of this type on the hill run. There certainly was a special tax to pay, but, even so, the saving would be considerable. In years to come they would probably have many more of them. In response to Cr Silverstone, he added that the bus figures were always included in the traffic manager’s returns. TRIP FOR GAS ENGINEER. The adoption of the Gas Committee’s report included approval of the proposed visit of the gas engineer to Melbourne. in order to attend the conference which is to _he held during the centenary celebrations. Cr Begg asked what the trip would cost. Cr Scott: It is difficult to say. Possibly £SO -or £6O will cover It. Cr Begg: I am raising no objection. I only thought it right that a definite sum should, he sent down with the report. Cr Campbell: It won’t be done on £SO. , The report was adopted.