HOSPITAL SECRETARYSHIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14051, 22 July 1916, Page 9

HOSPITAL SECRETARYSHIP.

For some .months past the Hospital Board has been in a state of uncertainty respecting the salary that should be paid to its secretary. It will be- remembered that when the estimates were under consideration retrenchment was recommended by a sub-committee, and the report was adopted after a stormy meeting. After having been held over for a couple of months the subject came on again at last' night's meeting of the Board. . " Mr. Holden moved that a resolution passed at a previous meeting to the secretary be rescinded. The resolution referred to was that the secretary be- offered a salary of £300, with half rent of offices incurred. In proposing, the above motion, Mr. 'Holden said he did so. becauso sufficient data was not placed before the committee as to the secretary's duties. Dr. Collins seconded the motion, and reserved the right to speak later. After some -. preliminary discussion, Mr; Lewis said it was not a question of being dissatisfied with the secretary's services, but, it was a question of retrenchment. Proceeding, the speaker deprecated the reduction of the secretary's salary, although he agreed that Mr. Porter should pay half the cost of the office. He would move that the salary remain at, £375, less half cost of office rent, leaving £310. .Dr. Collins declared that the commit^ tee had considered the reti*enchment of an old and valued servant in a mariner that was neither kindly nor businesslike. The speaker went on to say that (apart from the Board's salairy) Mr. Porter earned £160 inside the office and £147 outside the office, and for the £160 they were asking him to pay £66 for half tho rent. Apart from this the estimated valijo of ' his staff to the hospital was £110 and £100 respectively, and with other items they were proposing to pay their secretary £300 for what' was costing him £295. ; After- referring at length to the nature of the secretary's duties and responsibilities, he subriiitted that' the committee should go into the -matter with Mr. Porter and arrive at an amicable and fair arrangement. ■ ' Mr; Jex-Blake emphasised the value of the secretary's services 'in connection with the laying off of the hospital ground, and in connection with charitable aid To ask a man under these circumstances to pay half the rent was preposterous. The secretary remarked that he had previously devoted himself whole-heart-edly to the interests of tho Board, but latterly his life had been- made unbearable. Rather than to go on under existing circumstances be would sooner crack stores .' oil the road. Mr. Bright said, as on the previous occasion,.- he considered the motion rather drastic' He would move a& aii amendment that'the secretary be paid £325. The Chairriian said' they had io stick to tho motion before them.. On going to the vote the motion to rescind the previous resolution was declared carried on the casting \vote of the chairman, the ayes being Messrs. .JexBlake',' Lewis, Collins, Holden, and th« Chairman; noes, Messrs; Sherratt,. Johnston, MeCHskie, Bright, and Kenway. In giving his casting vote in favor ol the motion , the Chairman said he wanted the matter gore ■ into again, and he wished to see the thing settled the best basis. He also thought the secretary should be at the hospital. It was decided to set up a committee of the whole Board to meet next Tuesday to deal with this and othei business. : . ' — ■ — — — — — i —^