OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

Northern Advocate, 19 August 1929, Page 9

OTAMATEA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING,

At the, Otamatea County Council’s meeting on Wednesday Cr. R. Coates presided.

The clerk’s report and suggestions for regulations governing the workmen employed on the county’s road rollers and motor graders was presented and I adopted without amendment. ' The position as regards wages is as follows: Four workmen at 17/6 per day - at £l, whilst not engaged"driv- ) ing or attending to machinery 15s per day. /Drivers are not paid wet and dry. Benzine and oil are provided for motor cycle or car for travelling to work. No allowance has hitherto been made for 'motor cycle or car for travelling. Drivers are not paid lu’om the time of leaving home and are not covered by insurance travelling to or ' from work. Important recommendations which were adopted are: Above wages scale to be adhered to. The council not being liable under the Workers’ Compensation Act for accidents to the men, except during actual working hours, protection to the men against accident ' while not, working should be provided by themselves taking out a workman’s special policy which provides benefits up to £SOO as in the ease of death or disablement for an annual premium of £2 la, with double benefits for a double premium. Benzine and oil to be allowed to users of motor cycles for travelling to work, but where a driver is using a ear, he to bo allowed only the benzine and oil that would be allowed for a motor cycle. Drivers to render j monthly accounts for quantities used and are to be made an allowance at a flat rate of Is per day for the use of their conveyances, and that it be insisted on that they cover themselves for insurance as aforesaid for non working hours. Workers to be expected to convey benzine and oil for their work on their motor cycles and cars. Hours 8 a.m. to 12 and 12.30 to 5 p.m. (81 hours) on five days, and 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on Saturdays, giving the drivers a full week of 47 hours. These hours are in lieu of working 8 a.m. to 12 and 1 to 5 p.m. on week days, and 8 aan, ta 12 p.m. on -Saturdays, to enable the drivers to have the half holiday on Saturdays.

The county's balance sheet has been returned from the Audit Department without a tag, which .reflects credit on the efficiency of the clerk. Or. Collins urged that the work of the committee I appointed'- re electric power b,e pushed forward vigorously on receipt of correspondence from the Power Board. Ee Whangarei Timber Company.—-A draft agreement and bond for £2OO special damages has been sent to the company.

A cheque for £lO was received from the. Maimgaturnto Dairy Company for haulage of boiler.

Ee grant of £OOO, £1 for £l, for Ruawai back roads to condition the roads for safe carriage of children to the consolidated school. The Hon E. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, wrote fcta ring that he could find no trace of tlm promise of the grant, made by tin? Coates’ Government, and it was further notified that the Education Department could not help. The Et. Hoc. ,t. G. Coates wrote in this connection stating that it was now common foi Ministers to disclaim prorhises made by their predecessors and that he would look further into the matter. The Hobson County Council Wrote adviSihg that it will proceed to acquire a set of load-meters,

The Whangarei Couhty Council Wrote re Corernineit ahd allocations,

and asking the council's co-operation in protecting the interests of the North in securing justice in increased grants for public •works. The meeting was In hearty accord with the movement/and a reply was left to the clerk. The Public Works Department wrote asking for the assurance of the council that it will undertake legalisation and fencing of deviations now being carried out by relief work on the Paparoa-Wiaikiekie Boad in Mareretu Biding. As this will involve some 86 chains at an approximate cost of £129, the matter was deferred till the next meeting.

The Buawai Consolidated School Comaaittee wrote asking permission to erect shelter sheds on various roads for the protection of children. Permission was granted subject to approval of the engineer.

The Mauugaturoto Dairy Company wrote asking that the ruts be filled in on the Maungaturoto-Kaiwaka Hoad. This is being attended to. Temporary repairs to Pahi wharf (on account of damage by reeent high tide) have been effected.