WEEK-END USE OF COUNTY TRUCKS: FUTURE POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 October 1948, Page 2

WEEK-END USE OF COUNTY TRUCKS: FUTURE POLICY

A review of its policy in refusing township organisations the use of county trucks for week-end work, is to be undertaken by the Grey County Council, as a result of discussions at this morning’s meeting. The discussion arose as a result of an application by the Hatters Terrace School Committee for the hire of two council lorries during the week-ends, in order to carry out improvement work at the school.. Members pointed out that it had always been the policy of the council to decline such requests as the council’s insurances did not cover work at week-ends, and because this work should be done by private carriers, but Crs W. Fisher apd J. Clayton supported the application, pointing out that in this case the driver of the county vehicle at Nelson Creek was a member of the school committee and willing to work during the weekend. It was also suggested that a separate insurance policy could be taken by the school committee to cover the week-end work. Cr Clayton pointed out that private contractors were not available in the district for the work. “I am just afraid that if we reverse our policy we will be deluged with requests for assistance,” said Cr J. Mulcare, who said he found it difficult to believe that lorries were not available. Crs Clayton and Fisher moved that the request be granted, but withdrew whep it was proposed by Cr Mulcare that the matter be deferred for a month, and that in the meantime the acting-engineer, Mr H. E. Higgins, should prepare all available data in a report, which could be the basis of a review of the council’s policy. This proposal was adopted.