BLUFF BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 9

BLUFF BOROUGH

SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL. NO CUT IN SALARIES. (From Our Correspondent.) A special meeting of the Bluff Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening to deal with various matters of importance arising out of recent committee meetings. His Worship the Mayor presided over the following: Councillors A. E. Budd, N. W. McGorlick. A, C. McKillop, H. M. Joss, W. T. White, O. F. Metzger, W. T. Walker, R. C. Harbord and W. H. C. Johnston. The application of C. Beaton for permission to erect a dwelling on Marine Parade for Mr A. Morrison was granted, subject to the usual conditions. The matter of granting permission to construct a septic tank for same was held over pending receipt of a report from the Health Inspector. It was.decided to cut-back the frontage of land on Marine Parade to the correct survey line, commencing at A. Morrison’s property and continuing to W. J. Urwin’s eastern boundary. Work to be carried out as opportunity permits. The public works committee reported having inspected the work in connection with the level sidings in Gore street at present' being raised in accordance with

council requirements. On the committee’s - recommendation it was decided to carry out asphalting in connection therewith at the earbest opportunity. Regarding the matter of the main drain which takes the water from Bluff Hill, it was decided, in view of the present drain giving considerable trouble in flooding land within the borough, to lift the portion of the drain at the junction of Slaney and McDougall streets and relay same with a suitable curve in place of the present acute angle in the drain which has been the cause of trouble in the past. Regarding different charges ruling for hire of tha Town Hall for sales of work and bazaars, the matter was referred to the finance committee for consideration. Two communications received from the Bluff Harbour Board concerning reclamation, matters were referred to a special (committee for a report. A lengthy discussion took place on the

question of a proposed ten per cent, reduction in the salaries of the council’s staff and employees. His Worship the Mayor, in introducing the subject, said that personally he was opposed to a reduction. He had gone very carefully into the matter and he believed that it would be in the interests of the borough to leave the salaries and wages at the present level. The staff was a highly efficient one, and their past work was a credit not only to themselves but to the council as well. His Worship then tabled a comprehensive report of past and proposed future expenditure of the council, in which it was shown that by cutting down administrative, general and office expenses sufficient economies could be effected to leave the salaries as at present, and also to retain three casual employees at their present rate of pay. This would be done without in any way reducing efficiency, and at the same time it would make possible further expenditure on public works. Under the previous estimates for the year the council would have found it necessary to dismiss casuals, even when the proposed ten per cent, cut was made, but under the present scheme the latter would be retained for at least eight months in the year. After fully considering the Mayor’s report councillors generally expressed themselves in favour of the course suggested and, when put to the meeting, the motion that the salaries of the council’s staff and wages of employees be continued at the present rate was carried, there being only one dissentient.