MUNICIPAL RETRENCHMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9145, 29 August 1888, Page 6

MUNICIPAL RETRENCHMENT.

EXTENSIVE REDUCTIONS BY THE CITY COUNCIL. CUTTING DOWN OF SALARIES. THfc adjourned special meeting of the City Council, for the consideration of the retrenchment proposals of the Finance Committee, was held yesterday evening. The Mayor presided, and there were also present :—Messrs. Davies, Garratt, James, Lennox, Grey, Crowther, Holland, Atkin, Buchanan, Dignan, Swales, Cooper,, Evans, Hewson, and Patterson. Consideration was resumed of recommendation No. 2 of olause 14 of the report (the salary list), that the town clerk's salary be reduced from £450 to £400. To this Mr. Cooper had moved an amendment— " That the services of the town clerk and treaeurer be dispensed with, and that application be invited for the combined offices, at a salary of £500 per annum. Mr. Crowthkr thought chat it would be a mistake to amalgamate the offices. If the amendment were lost, he would move a further amendment to the effect that the salary of the Town Clerk be reduced to £350. Mr, Lknnox considered that a great; mistake would be made if a new man were asked to do the work in which Mr. Philips proved himself so efficient. If the offices were amalgamated, the person holding them would have to employ an asaistant. Messrs. Patterson and Holland also opposed the amendment. Mr. Cooper referred to the statement made at last meeting, that the Town Clerk maintained a check upon the Treasurer. He urged that the only way in which defalcations could arise would be the negiect to enter moneys received, and he asked what check did the town clerk keep upon that ? The Mayor : No check upon that. Mr. CoorKß further claimed that the reduction of salaries was not the proper method of effecting retrenchment. He certainly would not withdraw his amendment. Mr. Garratt said that the result of the amalgamation of offices would be that the present town clerk could not hold the post. Mr. Dignan pointed out that no man could keep books unless he gave his whole time to the matter. The town clerk was responsible for the transaction of the business, no matter by whom it was actually done. He could not see why the salaries of the town clerk and treasurer could be reduced without there being a necessity for amalgamating the offices. He would oppose the amendment. Mr. Evans would oppose the amendment, because no facta or figures had been laid before them to show that the two offices could be amalgamated with benefit. Mr. Jamks, who had seconded the amendment, said he had altered his opinion, and had now resolved to vote against it. The amendment was put and lost, only Messrs. Cooper and Garratfc voting in support of it. Mr, Crowthkr moved a further amendment, "That for the coming year the salary of the town clerk be £350." He thought there were many men who would be glad to be assured of £350, or £7 a week, for the year. Mr. Lennox seconded the amendment. He had a great esteem for Mr. Philips, who took upon himself a great deal of odium which ought to attach to the Council ; but when he (Mr. Lennox) remembered what the ratepayers had to bear, he thought it was their duty to effect retrenchment in every possible way. Messrs. James and Swales supported the amendment. Mr. Evans could see no reason for altering the recommendation of the Finance Committee, who had carefully considered the matter. The amendment of Mr. Crowther was carried. No. 3 : Treasurer, £300. No reduction recommended. Mr. Davis moved an amendment, " That the treasurer's salary for the coming year be £250.'' Mr. Patt&RSON seconded the amendment, on the ground that retrenchment was necessary, and that it would not be fair to take a large sum from one officer's salary and leave another's untouched. Mr. Davies' amendment was carried, only Mr. Evans voting against it. Nos. 4 and 5 : Collector and assistantcollector, £200; no reduction recommended. Mr. Hkwson moved an amendment, "That the salary of the collectors be reduced to £150." This amendment was, however, altered to read, " That the salary of the collector, Mr. Payne, be reduced to £150." In reply to a councillor, the Mayor said that the main difference between the duties of the two collectors was that one of them had to appear in Court, and thin was Mr. Payne. Otherwise, the duties of both officers were the same. Mr. Daviks seconded the amendment. Mr. Crowthkk said there was a line beyond which they could not go, and he thought they should not ask those officials !to do their work for £3 per week. He suggested that the Council reduce to £175. If : he could, he would feel justified in moving that the officers mentioned get a rise. More rates had been got in during this year than when times were better. Messrs. Holland and Dignan would support the Finance Committee's report. Messrs. Patterson and Garratt hoped that Mr. Hewson would accede to the suggestion of Mr. Crowther. Mr. Hewson thereupon withdrew his amendment, and moved "That the salary of the collector be reduced to £175." The Mayor opposed the amendment. There v/ould be much more trouble in getting in money during these times. Besides, as had been pointed out by Mr. Dignan, the guarantee officers took into their chief consideration the salary paid to the officers. He did not think the salaries of the collectors should be touched. The amendment was carried. No. 5 : Assistant-collector, £200 ; no reduction recommended. Mr. Crowther moved an amendment, " That the salary be reduced to £175." This amendment was seconded by Mr. Hewson, and carried. No. 6 : Valuer, £200; no reduction recommended. Mr. Daviks moved, "That the valuer's salary be £175." The Mayor said the work of this officer had become greater. Mr. Dignan said that this reduction, if carrie I; would please the Ratepayers' Association least of all that the Council did. Mr. Davi.es , amendment was carried. No. 7 : Clerk, £150; no reduction recommended. Mr. Davies moved an amendment, " That the salary be £130." This amendment lapsed, not being seconded, and the committee's recommendation was agreed to. No. 8 : Waterworks engineer, £200 ; the committee proposed that this officer's services be dispensed with. This clause whs agreed to at the last meeting. No. 9: City engineer; the committee proposed a reduction of from £500 to £400. Mr. Hewson moved, "That the offices of city engineer and clerk of works be combined, at a salary of £400." Mr. Patterson seconded the amendment. Mr. Crowther thought there had already been sufficient clipping in this department. The amendment was opposed by other councillors, and it wan eventually withdrawn by Mr. Hewson. Mr. Garkatt moved, " Thafe the salary of the engineer be £350." Mr. Patterson also seconded thie amendment. Mr. Holland considered that the engineer would have enough to do for £400 per year, if the Council dispensed with the waterworks engineer and the clerk of j works. Mr. Atkin thought that if money was wasted anywhere in the business of the Council it was in street management. Mr. Garratt defended the engineer from the charge of wasting money. The mistake had been that inspectors had been casually put en. Messrs. Evans and Crowther urged fchafc the suggestion of the Finance Committee should be agreed to. A long discussion ensued, ifc being pointed out by some councillors that the engineer might not remain in the service of the Council if his salary were reduced. The amendment was carried.

No. 10 : Surveyor ; the committee recommended that the officer be dispensed with, and this proposal was agreed to. No. 11: Clerk and draughtsman, £150; no reduction recommended. This item was passed without opposition. No. 12 : Clerk of works; the committee recommended a reduction of from £200 to £150. Mr. Garratt moved, " That the salary of the clerk of works be reduced to £175." Mr. Swailes would second the amendment if the sum was made £180. This suggestion was adopted by Mr. Garratt. Mr. Lennox supported the recommendation of the Finance Committee. Whilst this officer had discharged his duties well, no exception had been taken in the case of other competent officers whose salaries had been reduced. The amendment was carried, the amount to which the alary is reduced being £180. No. 13 : Pumping station engineer, £200; no reduction recommended. Mr. Davies moved, " That the aalary be £150." There was no seconder, and the item was agreed to aa recommended by the committee. No. 14 : Abattoirs inspector ; no reduction recommended. On the motion of Mr. Buchanan, the consideration of this item was deferred pending the receipt of the report on the abattoirs question. No. 15 : Superintendent Fire Brigade, £'250 ; the committee recommended that the salary be reduced to £200. Mr. Davies moved an amendment as follows : — "That the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade be partly paid by results — (laughter) — instead of by a standing salary ; that applications be advertised for at once, each applicant to deposit £10, and the recommendation of each applicant to be his idea of the best and most, efficient arrangement for combating with tires; that the salary be £125 for the first year, but if he can show the insurance companies that he can master a fire quickly, so that the premiums may be reduced, this Council will give a bonus and raise his salary for the future ; that when a fire occurs the insurance company who has the risk on property destroyed shall pay 10 per cent, towards the brigade fund." The Mayor ruled that Mr. Davies would have to give notice of this motion. Mr. Garratt would not be inclined to touch the salary of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade ; but, acting on a principle of retrenchment, he moved " That the salary be £225." Mr. Evans said that the cost of the Fire Brigade was exceedingly heavy, and they would have to apply in this department the pruning-knife to a greater extent than now proposed. The amount paid in the prevention of tiros during the year averaged £30 per week. It was hoped that the insurance companies would be compelled to pay something of the cost of preventing fire. Mr. Crowthkr thought there was a good deal of sense in Mr. Davies' suggestion. It was scandalous that a man should have to pay £3 per £100 for insurance in Karanganape Road. The amendment was lost, and the Finance Committee's recommendation was agreed to. No. 16: Sanitary Inspector; no reduction recommended. The consideration of this item was deferred. No. 17 : Librarian, £150; no reduction recommended. Mr. Garratt thought that this salary could well be touched. The Mayor said that this officer had suffered a reduction a short time ago. Mr. Garratt moved, "That the Librarian's salary be £130." Mr. Davies seconded this amendment, which was agreed to. NoB. 18 and 19 : Baths. This item had been already dealt with. No. 20 : Messenger, £156 ; a reduction to £130 was recommended. Mr. Daviks moved, " That the salary be £2 per we«k, or £104 per annum." The amendment wus not seconded, and the original recommendation was agreed to. Nos. 21 : Assistant Libnirian (£OS), and 22, second A&sistant Librarian (£4O), were to without amendment. No. 23 : Assistant Sanitary Inspector, £100, no recommendation made. The consideration of this item was deferred. No. 24 : Turncock, £175 ; no recommendation made. On the motion of Mr. Uahkatt it was resolved, " That the officer known as the assistant turncock shall be in future called turncock.'' There wus no amendment to the item No. 24, which was passed. No. 26 : Turncock, £182; no recommendation made. Mr. HewsoN moved, " That the salary be £175." This amendment was seconded by Mr. Davijbs, and agreed to. This completed the salary list, and the Council then proceeded to consider the remainder of the report at clause 7. Clause 7 was as follows : Stonebreaking : That the employment of stonebreakers be discontinued on the Ist November next, after which date all metal required by the Council be purchased or obtained by tender as may from time to time be deemed expedient. There is now metal in stock at Mount Eden, the property of the Council, paid for, value £600. The annual saving by the adoption of this method is estimated at £450. Mr. Gakratt moved an amendment, "That this clause be struck out." He thought it would be inopportune to carry such a recommendation, and he questioned whether, if a poll was taken, a man in the city would be found willing to stop the vote for the stonebreakers. They had been told that even girls were found breaking stones at Mount Eden, and he thought it better that this was so than that people should have to apply to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for relief. Mr. James seconded the amendment. Mr. Evans supported the recommendation of the Finance Committee, and urged that if charitable relief wtws given, it should be called so—(" No, no.") —and let the men be employed upon relief works in the various wards. Mr. Evans referred to a letter written to the newspapers by Mr. J. C. Firth, who was, h& claimed, the last man who should have written upon this subject. Mr. Evans went on to speak of Mr. Firth's demeanour at the Assessment Court, when The Mayor said he thought that Mr. Evans had better keep to the subject of discussion. Mr. Evans further spoke in support of the committee's recommendation. The Mayor aaid that the engineer had stated that he did not want the stone which 42 men would break. After considerable discussion the amendment was lost, and the clause, as submitted by the Finance Committee, was agreed to. The Council then adjourned, and the remainder of the report will be considered at the ordinary meeting to-morrow evening.