OPOTIKI TROUBLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 14

OPOTIKI TROUBLES

WORK AFTER DISMISSAL

CLAIMS MADE FOR WAGES COUNCIL DENIES LIABILITY [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] OPOTIKI, Friday The adjourned meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council was continued last evening, and at 10 o clock was again adjourned. Letters from solicitors were received claiming wages on behalf of H. Stewart, J.°H. Morell and C. A. Payne, members of the borough stafF, who wore dismissed by the council and reinstated by the Mayor, Mr. G. S. Moody, but who had been notified by the council that they would not bo paid for work done after dismissal. After some discussion, Mr. S. Slialfoon moved that the claims be referred to the borough solicitor to deal with. This was seconded bv Mr. A. J. Anderson, and carried, the Mayor and Mr. F. J. Short asking that their votes be recorded against the motion. Mr. J. Main said the men should be paid, as they returned to work in good faith and did not understand the position. Mr. Anderson said that at four or five meetings councillors had emphatically said the men would not be paid, as the council had not reinstated them, and it also appeared in all the papers. Mr. Shalfoon: It would be illegal to pay these wages. Mr. Short: Is that the solicitor's opinion ?

Mr. N. V. Hodgson, borough solicitor: The council is not liable and it is illegal for tho council to make gratuitous payments.

Mr. Anderson then proposed, and Mr. Shalfoon seconded, that the borough solicitor be instructed to deny liability and to protect the council. The motion was carried. A letter was received from Mr. 0. S. Moody asking for a refund on rates which he had paid under protest, the value of his property having been retluced from £ll9O to £'265. The matter was deferred until next meeting. Opotiki Theatres, Limited, wrote asking permission to screen suitable pictures on Christmas Day, Mr. Anderson proposed that permission be given, but as there was no seconder, the letter was received.

Lengthy discussion took place on a legal opinion received regarding a claim by tho ex-town clerk for commission on works designed or supervised by him under instructions by tho council. Mr. Shalfoon: I think wo should lot a magistrate decide this, then there will be no trouble with the auditors saying we should not have paid certain items of it.

At this stage Messrs. Short and Main said they would not sit any longer, as it was after 10 o'clock, and the meeting was then adjourned.