THE GAS OFFICE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1764, 16 March 1921, Page 5

THE GAS OFFICE.

NEW STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS, Comment made by councillors from time to time In connection with the administrative system and methods employed at the Municipal Gas Office culminated in the desire that the town clerk should go thoroughly Into, the question and submit a report to the Borough Council. This report was received last evening. In the course of the report the town clerk states; — “With the assistance of Mr Healey and the accountant, I went fully into the system and methods now in vogue, arid I consider that with certain alterations, improvements and the filling of the positions now vacant on the staff, the efficiency of the office when adequately staffed will be beyond question and good results will certainly follow. Cashier: First of all, the committee is seriously recommended . to consider the appointment of a young man as casljier. In this office, where the daily receipts are so numerous and largo sums are handled, the appointment is certainly an essential, and applications should be called at the earliest possible date. I suggest that the position be advertived, arid salary offered at the rate of £2OO per annum. Office Counter:: i The present office counter is totally inadequate, and considerable improve- 7 men could be effected by erecting a new counter. The cost of the altera- - tlons Is estimated at £33.” | After dealing with the matter ot receipt books, the report continues:, T ask the committee to consider thaadvisability of engaging a suitableperson to undertake the duties of ; salesman and shopman, and one who , would be placed solely in charge of. the stock and be held responsible for the safe-keeping of same. Office jj hours: With regard to the hours observed, I respectfully suggest that the office close half an hour earlier, as. is done in the Municipal Offices, bo as to enable the cashier to balance his cash daily, and also enable other members of the staff to complete their daily work before dispersing. Further, a fixed lunch hour is necessary. \ Mr Healey is not having a fixed how for lunch; the office is under-otall®4, 5 for two hours each day. The employ- | ment of an office boy to run. errand* ' should also be made.”

The report was generally agreed bjr councillors to be an excellent one and , i egret that something of the kind had not been brought down before was expressed.—Cr Oram called the Council’s attention to tho fact that he had brought tho matter up when he wa» i first elected to the Council, but no- ’ thing had been done. —frhe Mayor objected to matters in connection with the Council’#staff being discussed la open committee, but other member# considered it should be ventilated, a# it was said that great interest wa# being taken in the question in the J town.—Cr Crabb regretted that something of the kind had not been brought ] down two years ago. He had been on the committee, but as he could not get anything done he had been glad to get off it. He was glad to see Mr Hardie recommending the appointment of an \ip-to-date commercial staff. As a matter of fact there had been no check on .the working cost of the department since | it was taken' over. It had been ad- | mltted that in the stock department of the olfice there had been no check on any fitter coming along and taking whatever he wanted for his work.— • The. Mayor; That is not admitted. — Cr. Crabb said that all the time he was one the committee he had never been shown a stock sheet. He also complained of the treatment of one member of the staff whom he stated 'i had not received fair play.—The Mayor did not agree with Councillor | Crabb in this. —Cr. Graham: He has the opportunity now. —Cr Crabb: Now every man on the staff will have the opportunity to make good. He went , on. to say he had only mentioned - these matters to show that the report was necessary. It was a first- : class report and he would be glad to | see it come into operation. The report was adopted.