NIGHTWATCHMAN’S WAGES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13371, 26 September 1936, Page 4

NIGHTWATCHMAN’S WAGES.

REQUEST FOR INCREASE. REFUSED BY FIRE BOARD. An application came before the Pallia tua Fire Board yesterday from the local nightwatchman (Mr. H. E. Lowe) asking for increased remuneration owing to the extra cost of living which made it impossible for him to carry on under the present conditions. Mr. W. T. Brown spoke in support of the request, pointing out that the nightwatchman was a very good mail and that the town might lose his services ii something was not done fo£ him. Mr. W. A. Carthew was also in favour. of an increase in the Board’s contribution toward s Lhe nigAtwatchman's wages (£6 per aiii um). Checking over the Board’s source of revenue he said that All. Lowe often performed duties of a special constable and got rid of undesirables who came into the place at night. As far as the Government's contribution was concerned these duties showed that Air. Lowe tv as doing good work. There had only been two alaims during the past year which had not been given by Mr. Lowe, he pointed out, and maintained this allowed he was an asset to the insurance companies while the ratepayers benefitted rll through. This view was not shared by Air. A.’ W. Parton (Insurance Company representative) who said it was not part of the Board’s business to control outside affairs, and as a matter of fact he did not tmnk they were justified in contributing anything at all. Not referring to anyone locally 7 of course, he said he had known cases where nightwatchmen had started fires to keep their jobs and even a policeman had fired buildings to gain a reward for discovering outbreaks. Air. Brown would not concede the points raised by Mr. Parton and maintained that the Board got the benefit of his services. Air. Alason: How?

Air. Brown: By giving early alarms. They may not save more than a few shilling’s worth of pioperty7 at first but later it was possible that many pounds worth would be saved m this way. Air. Alason: We are not here to consider tins as a Borough Council or insurance companies would, we are here as a Fire Board. Air. Brown put in that their duty was to see that fire fighting services were efficient. Air. Parton observed that the Board did not employ the nightwatchman, and said they would not find two Boards in the country who were contributing towards a t:ightwatchman's wages. All. Brown: is it not posisble to enroll him as a fireman ? Air. Parton: 1 don't think his services are worth more to us than the £6 we are already paying him. Air Alason pointed out that Air Lowe's duty was not confined to files and that he had to see that no one got into the shops in town. Air. Carthew: I admit that, but L consider that where a man is on a job like he is he can quickly- see a fire in the business' area—he has actually' reported house fires in other parts of the town. * Air. Parton: How many fires have we had in the last twelve months ? The clerk: Six alarms, three of which were building fires. Air. Parton: That’s a pound lor e very alarm. Air. Alason . A dozen liightwatchmen could not have saved the buildings down the road that night. In answer to the Superintendent (Air. \Y. Lawry) the clerk said that foui* years ago the Board had been asked to contribute toward All*. Lowe’s wages and since then tlie amount had been increased to £6. Air. Mason thought the Borough Council and the Board were doing their share and That it was up to the businessmen to do the rest. He was sorry for the man but he considered tlie Board had done all in its power. All*. Parton then moved anti Air. Mason seconded that the Board cannot see its way clear to grant the request. On the voting this was carried, tlie chairman throwing his vote with the movers, remarking as he did so that ‘if the others cannot afford to give him any more we cannot do so as we are already hard up.” Alessrs Brown and Carthew voted against the motion.