THE GANG SYSTEM.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12509, 10 April 1909, Page 4

THE GANG SYSTEM.

ADOPTED BY THE. COUNTY

COUNCIL,

In accordance with notice given, Cr. Gill moved at Thursday's meeting of tho. Waimea County Council, "That the "gang" system be introduced into the Stoke, Wai-iti, Moutere, and Motueka ridings, i.e., one gang on tlie Waimea side and one gang on the Motueka side of tlie county." .In speaking to the motion Cr Gill said that there, could be no doubt that the "system had been a success in the Wangamoa riding, and in his opinion, there was . not the least doubt that it would be equally successful in the other districts. He stated that they had 119 men working for the County last month. He suggested that they should have a gang of eight, men on the Stoke and ■ Wai-iti ridings, and he believed that with twenty permanent men and twenty casualmen the work would be done satisfactorily. The advantage of the gang sys"tem were obvious, and he believed if they made the experiment they would not revert to the old system. He anticipated a saving of 50 per cent in their expenditure. : , v

Cr Everett seconded the motion. While he believed in the gang system he was not of opinion that they should adopt this system to the entire exclusion- of the day system. In isolated districts it was necessary to have day men. to attend to small- jobs He suggested that they should establ lish a gang at Wakefield, and 'that the question of a gang for Moutere beheld over for the present. . ' Cr Macmahon said that seeing that the gang system had been so successful in the Wangamoa riding he supported the motion.

Cr Drummond said he would be willing to support the motion if the Motupiko and Wangapeka ridings were included. , ;

Cr Gill said he was quite willing to add these ridings, but Cr Everett objected, as- he considered .'that they should feel their way gradually. Cr Hoult was of opinion that the gang system should be tried gradually. He would riot vote against the motion, but would liketo be sure that it could be financed satisfactorily.