ANOTHER INQUIRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 196, 20 July 1937, Page 10

ANOTHER INQUIRY

INCIDENT AT GASWORKS. Furthor reference to the municipal gasworks was made at the Palmerston North City Council meeting last evening when a recommendation was made by the lighting committee. This stated inter alia: “That with reference to two suspensions for quarrelling at the gasworks, four employees attended and gave evidence, a verbatim report of which was taken and will be circulated. It was decided that both men be reprimanded for quarrelling during working hours, .that the penalty of lost time through suspension be considered a sufficient punishment, and that they bo reinstated immediately. Tt was further decided that a general warning be issued that the council desires more harmony amongst its workmen, and that in future reports of quarrelling during working hours will be severely dealt with.” Cr. J. Hodgens, M.P., moved a notice of motion inter alia as follows:-—That the signed statement of an employee alleging that lie was assaulted by a fellow employee, be investigated, and that if it he proven true, the employee be satisfactorily compensated for mental worry caused by his suspension. , Cr. Hodgens made a plea for the employee and the Mayor said he felt that no good could be done by the whole council going into the whole matter again. After a discussion the amendment was put to the council and was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. At the beginning of the council meeting Cr. Ho lgens objected to the fact that the letter with whi-h ' lo hid forwarded his notice ol liiotton had not come before the open council :,ut had been referred to the lighting committee. He tirc.ved an emphatic protest. , , Cr. G. Tremaine pointed out that several letters of interest to the transit committee had been referred straight to that committee, and the town clerk (Mr J. R. Hardie) gave the Mayor an assurance that such was the usual practice with many letters.