“MAINTENANCE WORK IN BOROUGH SHOCKING”--Mr Jeune

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22972, 15 June 1949, Page 6

“MAINTENANCE WORK IN BOROUGH SHOCKING”--Mr Jeune

“I note with alarm in signing vouchers for payments that the largest amount is for wages. We are not getting an adequate enough return for that money,” stated Mr. G. J. Jeune at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council.

Mr. Jeune complained that the work being done on the borough roads in the way of maintenance was shocking. He did not know whether it was the fault of the men. the foremen, the overseer, or the engineering administration. He felt that during the past few years the standard of maintenance had deteriorated Many complaints from ratepayers had been received by himself anil he was sure, by other councillors. Two large weeds, taken from the footpath in Read’s quay, a short distance from the Chief Post Office were produced by Mr. Jeune. This footpath had not been cleared since before Christmas. Works Committee to Report It was moved hy Mr. Jeune that the question of maintenance of the borough be referred to the works committee for consideration and to make a report to the council. The Mayor. Mr. N. H. Bull, disagreed with Mr. Jcune's statement that (lie borough was in a shocking condition. Many visitors to the town had congratulated him on the slate of the borough, said the Mayor. Mr. Bull reminded Mr. Jeune that only three men were allotted to each residential area for maintenance work and they were apparently expected by the previous speaker to make thenareas the acme of perfection. Ho was sure that the men were doing all they physically could do in cleaning up the roads and footpaths. They only cover the whole of their area twice

or at the most, three times a year. Compared with other towns, the condition of the borough was well up to standard, contended Mr. Bull. Extra Work, Extra Money

If any councillor or citizen wished to have weeds cleared, they had' only to approach the borough officers and the work would be attempted. Without more staff, extra work was an impossibility. With the present finances of the council It was practically Impossible to employ extra labour, concluded the Mayor.

In seconding Mr. Jeune’s motion, Mr. W. C. Kohn said that he had no criticism to offer of the staff. However, there were perhaps jobs done, which could be left undone and the men diverted to more profitable work. While they agreed with the Mayor, Messrs. I. J. Quigley. J. H. Hall and G. D. Muirhead felt that some good would be done if the motion was supported. They felt that it might be an improvement if the old system of inspection of work by councillors were brought back. It was simply a question of pounds, shillings and pence, said Mr. F. Toierton. With shortened hours and Increased wages, the same work could not be expected. If more work was to be done rates would have to be increased. Highest Respect for Workmen In replying to the other councillors. Mr. Jeune said that he had received many complaints on borough maintenance during the past few months. He had always had the highest respect for borough workmen, but he was certain that at present the maximum work was not being got from these men. The general maintenance over the whole of the borough was deteriorating. As an employee of labour he could not afford to let people think that he was conducting his own aflaii's as the council was conducting the works affairs of the borough. He hoped that the works committee would not merely confine itself to looking round the borough, but would report on any other matters it thought necessary. Mr. Jeune’s motion was adopted.