MASTERTON BOROUGH

New Zealand Times, 12 September 1907, Page 7

MASTERTON BOROUGH

THE STAFF TO BE REORGANISED. The chief feature of the special meeting of the Mastorton Borough Council, held lart evening, was a resolution moved by Councillor Tarr. that a special meeting of the Council be held to consider the reorganisation of the borough staff. The result was that tho Town Clerk and the Borough Engineer, and all those connected with tho departments of . these officials received thro© months* notice, terminating their engagements until the Council. . Councillor Yarr explained that his motion excluded the gasworks, park, abattoir, reading-room, library, and all the employees connected therewith. He staid he thought he was doing that which iras best in the interests of tho ratepayers. In tho Town Clerk's office the staff was too for tho amount of money that was being handled by tho Council. The amount of outstanding rates should not be so large. The Council had n large overdraft, and was paying heavy interest on it, and that being the case, every effort should b© made to bring in the outstanding rates. He (Councillor Tarr) criticised work in different new streets, and considered that no more money should bo expended on them for some time. He added that he had not a word to say against any of the Council’s employees. They were all excellent man. Councillor Prentice seconded the motion. He bad intended to move that the office expenses bo reduced by about .£3OO *r <£4oo« Councillor Ewington spoke against the resolution. He considered it was carrying things too far, Mr Brown had been Town Clerk since Masterton had -been & borough. » Was the Council going to dismiss him in this sudden fashion? The Engineer had been criticised for noth-

tow. , Councillor Morris opposed the resolution. and said the Town Clerk had the confidence of the Council. His ability was known to the ratepayers. After further discussion the Mayor said he was a little disappointed in the manner in which the matter had heen brought forward, hut he was going to support the resolution as it stood. He was not satisfied with the outside work for some time, and ho was goiug to get better results for money spent in the borough. Councillor Bwington moved as an amendment that a committee be appointed to go thoroughly into the matter. The ■ amendment was lost by six votes to four, and the resolution then carried.