BOROUGH HOLIDAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1926, Page 6

BOROUGH HOLIDAYS

“ONE-TAVELfS” OF Vear.

That one-twelfth of their time is spent by the Borough employees in holidays, was a statement with which Cr. R. J. Williams startled membeys of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening, when several applica tions for annual leave were under consideration. He said that the- staff had a fortnight’s holiday at Christ- . mas-, and New Year, and another day off for the Trades’ picnic on Wednesday. / , . . The Mayor (Mr. W. H. Parfitt) said that the office staff worked' on the day of the picnic, although'’the office door was closed. ‘ The Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Den-\ ton) said that two of his staff were absent, but he himself was working, and anyone desiring to get into the office could have done so. Cr. Williams contended that the system of holidays needed reviewing. If the staff did not receive so many statutory holidays, be would not be opposed to annual holidays. He liked everyone to have a good time if possible, but thought that holidays were overdone. “I cannot say that I agree with Cr. Williams,” said Cr. H. FDoogan. Statutory holidays should not count in annual leave. Everybody" orot holidays at Christmas ana New Year. The Council had considered the question of staff holidays some time ago, and had agreed upon them. The Council was really no dnferent from any private employer. The Mayor said that one applicant was entitled to annual holidays, under the terms of his agreement. “We must carry out our agreement,” said Cr. J. B- Kent. Cr. Doogan moved that the application be granted, subject to arrangement with the Town Clerk as to the date the holiday should commence. Cr. G. R. Harker stated there was a resolution on the books, to the effect that employees mifst not all annual leave to accumulate. Ihe applicant took only one week of his holi dav on the last occasion. The Town Clerk pointed out that under the terms of the agi’eement, the holidays could be allowed to ac cumulate to one month Cr Williams said he did not mind the staff having holidays if the ratepavers could afford it One of t e outside staff wanted a h ohday th other day, but was refused owing to the accumulation of work. The Mayor • “We did not refuse it altogether; only for the time b - m Ch’ Doogan’s resolution found a seconder in . Cr. F. A. Kitchingham, and was carried. _