HASTINGS BOROUGH STAFF.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 241, 25 September 1914, Page 2

HASTINGS BOROUGH STAFF.

COM MITTEE ’ S RE PORT

At last night’s uieeting of the Borough Council, the committee appointed by the council to enquire into I lie reorganisation of the boiough staff submitted their report, winch was dealt with and discussed it ome length, as follows :- - ■ Engineering staff.—That this committee expresses dissatisfaction with the manner in which the boiough engineer has carried on the inside and outside work of his deputinent, and recommends that the louncil instruct him to introduce a better system for die carrying on ot the work.”—lt was moved by Cr. King, seconded by Cr. I'ow.er ami (lined, Cr. Wade dissenting, that with regard to the dismissal of Air. Jeff as assistant-engineer the council could not agree. Ihe same also applied/ to his appointment u> another position.

“ blectrieal Engineer.- (1) That the electrical department be created a separate department ; (2) that the salary of the electrical engineer be at the rate of £3OO per annum ; (3) that the electrical engineer undertake personally some ot the outside work ; (4) that Mr. Poppelwdl be appointed clerk to this department under the control of the electrical engineer ; (5) that all business in this department be conducted at the office in the power house.” — Adopted. “Office Clerical Staff. Owing to the unfortunate illness of the down Clerk the inquiry in this department was adjourned.’—Received. Cr. Donovan expressed his regret that the Mayor was not present when an important question like this was to be discussed. He would ask the committee to make an explanation of the reasons brought forward in regard to the decisions arrived at by the committee. Cr. Fowler, as one of i.he committee, replying to Cr. Donovan, said he had no illfeeling towards Mr. Dodge, but as far as he could make out, he was inclined to leave most of his work to the assistant-engineer.

Cr. King cornplajned el ( he duplication of duties in the engineer’s department.

Cr. Wade said that the engineer's department was in a bad state. He had never been ab e to find out what the engineer did. Cr. Donovan protested against the motion.

Cr. Blake said it was a very serious matter, and he would like to ask Mr. Dodge for an explanation in regard to th<> engineer’s department. Mr. Dodge said he was not at present prepared to make any lengthy reply. He was surprised at the finding of the committee. He said that for a committee to obtain a correct idea of what the actual work was, the only way was for the members to spend a week in his office. He had received instructions from the Mayor week after week to keep the expenses down as much as possible, and was therefore kept short of drai s, which accounted for material lying on the road, as referred to by Cr. Fowler. The work had never been done cheaper than it had been done by him. It was impossible to know, from the questions asked by the committee, what the actual work was. Cr. Wade said it was all very fine for Mr. Dodge to make a statement lige that. It was another thing to prove it. The Deputy-Mayor (to Cr. Wade): That is not a nice statement to make. Cr. Wade: It is not a nice statement for Mr. Dodge to make. The Deputy Mayor: Yes, Tie has every right to make a statement in self-defence. Replying to a question, Mr. Dodge said that when he came here there were no records kept properly ; there, were no plans filed : some were stewed away in corners, and on shelves, and no order kept. Cr. Wade moved that the engineer be granted three months’ leave of absence, and that he be asked to tender his resignation. ■ The motion was not seconded. Cr. King here handed a telegram to the Deputy-Mayor from the Mayor, stating that “we” had supported the dismissal of Mr. Jeff. Cr. King thought “we” should mean “I.” Discussing the proposed reduction of Mr. Rogers’ salary, the Deputy Mayor said that the electrical engineer was a very capable officer, and he had been the means of bringing the department up to an efficient standard, and that he was worth a good salary. Crs. Kilford, Donovan and Blake also spoke in support of Mr. Rogers. Cr. Fowler gave notice to move that the resolution dismissing Mr. Jeff be rescinded.