MORNINGTON PROTEST

Evening Star, Issue 25419, 26 February 1945, Page 2

MORNINGTON PROTEST

UNSATISFACTORY CONDITION OF BOROUGH FOOTPATHS A .meeting of the Momington Ratepayers’ Association on Saturday night expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of footpaths in the borough, and some, members criticised the explanation of the City Council that the shortage of labour was the reason why repair work had not been carried out. The secretary, Mr F. J. Webb, expressed the opinion that the low wages and unsatisfactory working conditions of the outside staff of the City Council constituted the chief reasons for the corporation’s labour shortage. As a result, he said, the ratepayers. - were receiving a very poor-return for their money. Mr Webb contended that men were not encouraged to seek employment i with the corporation on account of the unattractive conditions at present offering. He gave details of the pay of men employed by the works department, the weekly rate being only £4 14s. Gd. (net), with the possibility of losing time in ivet weather. The. streets and footpaths throughout the district, were in a shocking condition. he said,: and in many cases houses which had been erected for 20 years or more were devoid of decent footpaths complete with kerbing aHd channelling. “ I think the ratepayers have a right,” concluded Air Webb, “to ask i? the money which in recent years has been, allocated for work in tire district is accumulating for.the time when the necessary labour may beobtained.”

There was no doubt that the eitv was in a. shocking state, said Mr J. S. D. More, and it was a surprising fact that northern cities were in a much better condition. The Mornington Association should not be content to let matters rest. Emphatic representations should he made. With regard to the wages earned by the corporation’s-employees. Mr W. .1. Sanders said there seemed to be something wrong, and adverse weather should not mean reduced pay. A review-of the streets of the district which, he said, were in need of improvement was given by the chairman, Mr M. Haig, who described one section as.a “mud gutter.” It was decided to protest to the corporation on the lines suggested by the secretary. A letter was received signed by sis residents of Havelock street complaining that! Durham street. the. next parallel street, had recently been kerbed for new houses. The residents stated that they had been paying rates for lo years and upwards, and tliev felt they were entitled to the same benefits. '