UNWANTED POST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 10

UNWANTED POST

NEW PLYMOUTH TEAMS SUPERINTENDENT RESIGNS r "EVERYTHING WORN OUT" BOROUGH COUNCIL'S DILEMMA [by tet.kcrapfi—nwx correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday "Everything is worn out, and that is why I and others have declined to go on with the job," said Mr. R. J. Pcnticost on his return from Wellington. Mr. Pcnticost recently accepted the position of superintendent of the New Plymouth Tramways, but resigned after a few days. Since then many rumours have been current concerning the tramways system and its control, and Mr. Pcnticost was asked for an explanation. Answer to Rumours Mr. Pcnticost"' said the best answer to any rumours was that four most experienced applicants for the position had withdrawn. It was true that hj« had taken the ]>osition for a few days, but he withdrew because he saw the hopelessness of the task on account o£ the present condition of the service. Two other applicants, one from Wellington and one from Auckland, withdrew as soon as they had looked into the condition of things on their arrival in New Plymouth prior to the meeting of the Borough Council on the occasion of making a choice of a superintendent. One applicant did go before the council at its request, said Mr. Pcnticost; but lie informed the other applicants that his mind was made up beforehand and that he had no intention of accepting the position even if he was the chosen applicant.-Mr. Pcnticost himself withdrew after a week in the job, and the other applicant, Mr. J. Chick, of New Plymouth, also withdrew his application when the council was faced with the necessity of appointing someone in place of Mr. Penticost. Confidential Report A confidential report submitted to the tramways committee by one of the applicants for the position who withdrew was made public to-night by Mr, P. E. Stainton, chairman, of the committee. The report stated: "I do noli consider that the plant is worn out, and I must say that with care and efficient .control the nndertaking generally could be carried on for a' few more years without need for any great expenditure other than ordinary maintenance charges."