ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 October 1927, Page 9

ELTHAM.

T(HVN NIGHT-WATUHLYI AN. INADEQUATE SUBSCRIPTIONS. CANVASS FOR FUNDS. A public meeting was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening to discuss the question of the' town niglit-watchman. There were present: Alessrs S. E. Carson (in the cnair), I. J. Bridget*, AO. Casey, R. L. Garden, J. rl. Alorton, J. O'Hagen, G. W. Peebles, W. Ricaetts, A. \\ are, AV. T. Gibb, and J. li i Slieat (secretary ot the Chamber of Commerce). The chairman explained that the position in regard to the payment ox the night-watchman’s salary was, and had been lor a considerable time, very unsatisfactory, and could not possibly continue on the present basis. From figures supplied by Air. Sheat, it was apparent tnat the. Chamber of Commerce was shouldering an unfair proportion of the burden which should oe borne by the individual efforts of the Eitham business people. Shortages at the end of 1925 and 1926 had been met by the Chamber, the members ol' which also subscribed their individual quota to the watchman’s weekly wage. Un termination of the period of appointment- (Alarcli, 1928) there would be a considerable deficiency, and it was questionable whether the Chamber would, or could, foot- the bill and renew the appointment. In the event of all subscribers fulfilling their obligations from the present time to the end of the period the sum of £SO would be collected to meet, a liability of £ll6.

Mr. Casey considered that the subscriptions of business mep. should be subsidised by the Police Department until such time as a constable was put on 'night duty. Mr. Morton said the Chamber of Commerce apparently existed for the sole purpose of paying the deficiency in the night-watchman’s salary—there were never any funds for other purposes. Mr. Bridger agreed, and emphasised the fact that the officer’s salary had on more than one occasion been paid at the expense of the following year’s subscriptions. There were 73 subscribers to the fund —a pointed acknowledgment that a night-watchman was a necessity. He thought the Borough Council should undertake the appointment and payment of a night guardian of property in the business area. To do so, legislation- would be necessary to declare and define a rating area.

The general expression of opinion of those present was that it was quite impossible to continue under present conditions, but- it would be disastrous to allow the position to lapse. A suggestion was made that subscriptions'~should be increased. Mr. Sheat: “That won’t meet the £66 shortage in March.” Mr. Morton’s suggestion to increase subscriptions and impose a levy to cover the liability was not favourably received.

"t was finally resolved, on the motion of Messrs Bridger and Morton, that a committee, comprising Messrs 8.- Ei. Carson, J. H. Morton, and GW. Peebles, canvass the town business lfouses at an early date for the purpose of collecting subscriptions sufficient to pay the watchman’s salary until the end of March, 1928, when the conditions of appointment will be reviewed.