CIVIC AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 24297, 11 September 1942, Page 5

CIVIC AFFAIRS

COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Following arc items from the resports of the various committees to come before the mooting of liio City Council on Monday night:— Employment of Ex-servicemen. At the request, of the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association, the Finance Committee lias considered the question of preference being given to cx-serviccmcn when filling vacancies in the council’s service. J ms preference for ox-servicemen has been tne policy of the council since 1919, . and the committee sees no reason to , depart fiom same. The committee therefore recommends that heads of departments be again instructed that in filling vacancies, either temporary or permanent, preference be given to cx-servicemen. all other qualifications being equal. Women Conductors. Tho Transport Committee reports that a further eight women have commenced training as conductors, bringing the total number employed to 27. These women continue to perform their work in a highly creditable manner, and their handling ot tho loading at the recent trotting meeting was outstanding, particularly their speed and efficiency in collecting the faros. . In view of the "newspaper controversy regarding their probable earnings, it might be of interest fo record that for (he first two. weeks their gross earnings amounted to £5 16s per week, while for the subsequent week the average was £6 Os Bd. Pipe Shelters. The Works Committee reports that the work ■ I fitting red reflectors to the ends of blast walls on public streets facing traffic has been put in hand. Already these red reflectors are receiving attention from vandals, a number having been removed from the concrete. , It is thought that this removal is the work of school children, and Iho co-operation of head masters is being sought with a view to preventing further vandalism. Labourers' Award. A new award covering the employment of labourers by the council, the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board, and the Dunedin Ocean Beach Domain Board has been approved by tho Arbitration Court. The terms of the new award were agreed upon by representatives of the bodies concerned and the union in conciliation. The new award provides for an increase in wages of id per hour all round, such increase to date from March 1, 1942, when negotiations first commenced. In addition to the wages increase,. an extra day’s holiday is provided, making a total of six working days. The award is for a period of two years from March 1, 1942. Subsidised Band Performances. The Reserves Committee reports that tho schedule of subsidised band performances for the incoming summer season has been approved. Those bands which will participate—Dunedin Highland Pipe, St. Kilda, Kaikorai, Band of ■ the Ist Battalion, Dunedin Ladies’, and St. Joseph’s Orphanage—are required to render five concerts—three in the Botanic Gardens and one at St. Clair (all on Sunday afternoons), and the fifth in tho Octagon on a Friday evening. Tho senior bands will receive a subsidy of £SO, and the Ladies’, find St. Joseph’s Orphanage Bands a subsidy of £25 each. Cattle Route, Wakari. Tho question of varying the cattle route through tho Wakari district lias been further considered by the General Committee as directed by the council. Tho locality has been visited by the committee, accompanied by the council’s officers and representatives of the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and fanners from tlve Pine Hill and Mount Cargill areas, and the alternative routes have been inspected. The committee is of the 'opinion that, in view of the disadvantages of - the alternative routes, no alteration should be made in the meantime, but that the drovers be required to supply an out-rider to precede tho cattle. It is proposed to require strict compliance with this latter provision, which should obviate complaints of nuisance and damage to property. Weighbridge, Rattray street. An inspection of tho council’s weighbridge in Rattray street by tho Government Inspector of Weights and Measures discloses that it is out of adjustment and shows considerable variation in weighing under certain conditions. The inspector has intimated that he is not prepared to allow tho continued use of the weighing machine in its present condition. The question of necessary adjustment has been investigated. but there is no guarantee that the work proposed, if carried out, would be effective. In addition, the existing weighbridge is too small, there being barely sufficient width to accommodate a truck, and tho length being such that trucks have to be weigiied in two measurements, first the front wheels then the rear wheels. There would be considerable difficulty in obtaining a new weighbridge at present, and as (here is a full test weighbridge available in the railway yard opposite, the General Committee has decided to close the Battrav street weighbridge in the meantime. The question of finding alternative employment for the weighbridge keeper has been referred to the city engineer for attention.