THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9139, 22 August 1888, Page 3

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE FIRE BRIGADE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —On reading the report of the last City Council meeting, which appeared in your issue of Friday last,, I was rather astonished to see that the Council, in its retrenchment schejne, proposed the reduction of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade's salary from £250 to £200. Now, Sir, considering that this officer has also to perform the duties of Building Inspector (for which office, the Council at one time paid a gentleman £200 per annum), and also that he has always to be at his post, and cannot leave the city for one hour at a time, and, therefore, does not enjoy the same privileges as other officials either with respect to short hours or holidays, I consider it would be a gross act of injustice to the Superintendent if the Council made any reduction whatever in his salary, but on the other hand, taking into consideration the fact that he is on duty both night and day, that) the lives of the citizens ana members of the Brigade are, so to speak, in his hands, that his hours of labour are from one a.m. to twelve (midnight), that he has no holiday during the year like other officials in ihs Council's employ, instead of a reduction his salary ought to be increased. I should lika to know what portion of his salary is for building inspector's duties, and whab as Superintendent of Fire Brigade. I am etc., A RATKi'AKBS.