PENSIONER APPOINTED

Evening Star, Issue 21890, 29 November 1934, Page 17

PENSIONER APPOINTED

TRAFFIC INSPECTOR FOR MOUNT EDEN STRONG OPPOSITION FROM MAYOR [Special to the ‘ Stae.’J AUCKLAND, November 29. “ I think it a disgraceful thing that this man, who is receiving a good pension, should be appointed when there arc other good men out of work,” said the Mayor (Mr T. M‘Nab), at last night’s meeting of the Mount Eden Borough Council, when, by ten votes to three, the council appointed Mr H. J. W. Branscombe as traffic inspector for the borough. Mr S. E. Chappell: I protest against the remarks of your Worship. It is not the duty of this council to inquire into the private affairs of the applicants. The Mayor: I don’t care. I want it recorded on the minutes that I think it is disgraceful, and I want the public to know the attitude 1 take up. Why, numbers of applicants were passed over because they were in jobs—what is the difference between being in a job and getting a pension? For the position of traffic'inspector in the borough 120 applications were received. These were referred to a special committee, and the number was reduced to six. The half-dozen were present at the council meeting, and were questioned by councillors. After the applicants had retired Mr Branscombe was appointed. H© was formerly a traffic inspector in the borough, and is a ratepayer. He is forty-six years of age, and was, for twenty-five years, a member of the Metropolitan Police Force in London. r - *