GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18540, 10 April 1930, Page 6

GERALDINE

BOROUGH STAFF ORGANISATION. The staff of the Borough was the subject of a good deal of discussion at a meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council on Tuesday night. Councillors A. J. Bell and J. W. Miller expressing dissatisfaction at the present state of affairs. The resignation of two of the Council’s workmen —one through illness— were received, and. on the suggestion of Councillor Miller, it was decided to investigate the whole matter with a view to reorganisation. A letter from the Geraldine ExServicemen’s Association complaining that rubbish had not been removed from the section at the rear of the War Monument, as promised, drew forth some strong comments by Councillor Bell. “The Councillors are a lot of dummies,” he said. Their orders were not carried out by the overseer (Mr B. Hayes). The Mayor (Mr J. Kennedy) questioned if Councillor Bell was in order. The overseer said that directions had been given the men to carry out the work, and jobs were treated in rotation. Councillor J. W. Miller said that the matter had been brought up three times, and it was time something was done. The Mayor suggested that the matter be referred to the Works CommitCounciilor Bell, objecting to this, said that they had to growl to get jobs done, and it was totally unfair. They were trying to do their best for the ratepayers, but their work fell short. He had a mind to resign from the Works Committee, but not from the Council, as other Councillors had done in the past. “If nothing is done,” he continued, “I will draw up and propose a resolution that the town clerk hand in his resignation, to test the feeling of the Councillors. They are frightened to say anything, and the man on the street says that it is a one-man Council, run by the town clerk.” The Mayor (Mr J. Kennedy): “I cannot accept the statement that this Council is a one-man Council. That is incorrect.” He was not taking kerbstone gossip, but was speaking as a Council member. It was pointed out that the matter of Council staff organisation was to be discussed later in the meeting, and discussion was allowed to lapse. Two Resignations Received. The Mayor said that the report on staff organisation and outside transport, which was to be prepared as a result of a resolution at the last Council meeting, was not ready, but the matter would be dealt with before the next meeting. He understood that two members of the staff had given notice of their retirement, and as fresh appointments had to be made, the whole matter had been held in abeyance. The town clerk (Mr B. Hayes) reported that the staff foreman (Mr G. Russell) had resigned on account of ill-health, and a resignation had been received from Mr W. Hayward, another member of the staff. Up-to-date Methods Necessary. Councillor Miller said that, in his opinion, they should call applications for one vacancy only—that of foreman, and obtain quicker means of transport, a motor lorry, and give it a trial for a year. There was no doubt that the transport at the present time was too slow, as a great deal of time was lost in getting about from place to place with the horses. He was sure that they could do more work with quicker transport, and the time was ripe for a change. One man could do a great deal of work with faster transport, and the lorry would not need to be a new one.

The Mayor said that the suggestion for faster transport was a good one, and the matter would have to be thoroughly gone into. Something in the way of a schedule of duties would have to be drawn up, including requirements, bonus and pay. They would not obtain a foreman like the last one, who had worked at all hours. The new foreman would have to be in charge of the lorry and waterworks, and he would have to be a competent man in the direction of repairing pipes, and roads, etc. Councillor Bell stated that if the town clerk was overworked, as he said, this would be a good opportunity to appoint an outside man, and to allow the clerk to remain in the office all the time.

The Mayor said that the whole matter could be brought down at the next meeting. Councillor Miller: “The Works Committee will bring down a report at the next meeting.” On the motion of Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Lack, it was decided to call applications for the position of foreman. Councillor Bell said that he was of opinion that channelling work could be done more economically by contract.

Councillor E. H. Logan said that in future an estimate should be kept of the cost of channelling work, to see if it could be done better and cheaper by contract. The Mayor said that the overseer could supply them at their next meeting with details of the cost of recent channelling. Councillor Logan said that the town clerk had a lot of extra work to do. He suggested that it would be a good idea if they appointed a responsible man outside, so as to relieve the present overseer and town clerk of this work.

The Mayor: “They are going to draw up a schedule of duties similar to the present foreman's.” The town clerk was instructed to draw up a schedule of duties for the position.

Councillor Bell suggested that the Finance Committee should draw up their report and recommendations first so that the Works Committee could see where they were. If necessary they should keep the town clerk as town clerk, and pay an overseer outside. The Mayor pointed out that it was necessary to have a fully qualified man as overseer, but that matter, together with the purchase of a lorry, could be gone on with at the next meeting, when the committees had made their reports.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. A meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: —The Mayor (Mr J. Kennedy), and Councillors W. A. Sherratt, J. W. Miller. J. R. Lack, E. H. Logan, and A. J. Bell. The Mayor said that a meeting had been held in Temuka to consider the appointment of a highways inspector, but he had been unable to attend. The scheme was allowed to lapse, the representatives present at the conference feeling that the suggested district was too expansive for a traffic inspector to work over. Finance Report. For the Finance Committee, Councillor Sherratt reported that receipts since last meeting totalled £1983/6/-, including rates £547/12/8, sanitary fees £sl/7/9, rent £l7, dog fees and licenses £27/15/-, heavy traffic fees £27/15/-, sale of hay £25, miscellaneous £ll/11/8, library fees £4/15/6, bowser rent and

insurance £l3/19/-, Main Highways refund £965/16/4, maintenance subsidy £lB4/13/4. There was a credit balance at the bank of £302/16/-; accounts for payment totalled £284/17/3, leaving a credit of £l7/18/9. The Domain Board accounts showed receipts totalling £29, including Bowling Club £ls, Cricket Club £5, rent £9. Accounts for payment totalled £l9/12/8, and there was a deficit at the bank of £B/7/7. The Cemetery Board account showed a credit of 4/7. The report was adopted. Correspondence. On behalf of the Plunket Society, Mrs J. M. Macdonald mote thanking the Council for its grant of £ls. The Royal Life Saving Society wrote drawing attention to the desirability, when making appointments of bath custodians, of appointing only such persons as were qualified life savers. Mrs J. J. Brett, junr., wrote acknowledging the Council’s letter of sympathy. Mr G. E. Broad, hon. secretary of the Geraldine Fire Brigade, wrote applying for the half-yearly grant of £2o.—Granted. The chairman of the Main Highways Board wrote enclosing an agreement in connecfcion with the advance of a sum of £322 which the Board had made to the Council. The agreement provided for three equal annual payments of £ll9/7/-. —It was decided to sign the agreement. General. An application for the renewal of a billiard room license, by Mr J. Lorimer, was granted. It was decided to vote £2/2/- to both the Obstetrical and Cancer Appeal funds. Councillor Miller complained that the fence had not been erected around a memorial tree in the Park. It had been decided to do this over two years ago, and it was time that something was done. The town clerk stated that he had arranged for the matter to be put in hand early in the new financial year. Loan Liability Ceases. The secretary of the Treasury mote intimating that the waterworks loan, inscribed in 1904, for the sum of £259/3/7 (the yearly interest of which had been £ll/13/4) had matured in February. After the payment of interest for that month, the liability in respect of the loan had ceased. Staff Reports. The Inspector of Health (Mr J. Menzies) notified that one case of tubercular meningitis had been reported during the month, and nine sanitary inspections had been made. The Geraldine ranger (Mr F. Gaby) reported that during the month he had impounded six cattle. The librarian (Mrs K. E. Pierce) reported that eight hundred and twelve books had been issued during the month. Subscriptions and fines amounted to £4/10/6. The manager of the Municipal Theatre (Mr C. C. Knight) reported that fourteen performances had been shown during the month of March, and there had been two lettings of the Hall. The reports were adopted. Overseer’s Report. The overseer (Mr B. Hayes) reported that the men and drays had been employed on the formation of the footpath along High Street. In company with the Works Committee, he had met Messrs Barklie and Patrick, when it was decided to clear away the collapsed wall in Waihi Terrace. The work had now been carried out, the clay being used for extending the other side of the wall. Other routine worm had been carried out. Mr G. Russell was absent for a week through illness, and had tendered his resignation. Mr Hayward had also notified his intention of leaving, and wished to be relieved on Saturday. It would be necessary for the Council to consider making fresh appointments. The report was adopted. Record of Service. Mr George Russell wrote tendering his resignation as works foreman. Owing to age and continued ill-health he found that he was unable to carry out his duties with satisfaction to himself. He wished to thank the Mayor and Councillors for the way they had treated him during his 23 years with the Council. He also wished to record his appreciation of Mr Hayes as overseer, and to thank him for the many kindnesses received. Councillor Bell said that he thought that Mr Russell should be sent a letter thanking him for his valued services, and regretting his resignation. The Mayor said he felt that they should do more than that. Mr Russell had given valued service to the Council for a large number of years. Councillor Logan: “He has been a strong man for the Council.”

Councillor Lack: “He has been a good, honest servant.” Councillor Miller suggested that he be granted £1 for every year’s service with the Council. Councillor Bell endorsed the eulogistic remarks concerning their retiring foreman, who had always been a good, conscientious worker. Any grant that they might make him he had already earned. The Mayor stated that Mr Russell had never been an eight-hour man, and suggested that they should make the grant £25. This was seconded by Councillor Lack, and carried. A Fallen Wall.

Arising out of the overseer’s report, Councillor Miller said that the Works Committee had inspected the fallen wall in the Waihi Terrace, in company with the owners, Messrs Patrick and Barklie, and it had been agreed to allow them to put up the wall as previously, without cutting the bank back to the road line. The town clerk said that there was a legal aspect of the position. If the bank was placed as before, it was on the public highway, and the Council would be responsible for replacing it, or removing it if it fell on the road. The position was altered once the wall was first erected, as much of the clay had fallen or been taken av/ay, and it would not cost so much now to remove the spoil to the road line. Councillor Miller: “We made it clear that the Council would take no further responsibility in the event of the wall falling again.” It was decided to draw up an agreement. Cemetery Not Faying. Councillor Sherratt drew attention to the fact that the credit in the Cemetery Board account had run out, and it looked as if they were going to slip into debt in this direction if nothing was done. He thought that the County Council should be approached to see if they would help in the matter of keeping it in order. The Mayor explained that when the Council had taken over the old Cemetery Board’s work the cemetery was simply a wilderness, but there were some accumulated funds. The cemetery had been placed in order by the Council, but it had been slipping back financially, never quite paying its way, and the money had all been used up. He thought that they should approach the County Council in the matter, as the County residents benefited from it. The town clerk stated that the County Council had been approached before, and they had suggested putting up the fees, which had been done. At that time they would not agree to give a grant. Councillor Sherratt: “If they are not,

agreeable, the only way we can overcome the difficulty will be to put up the fees for people residing outside the Borough.” GOLF DRAW. The following is the draw for a stroke competition to be played on Saturday:— „ . Ladies—Miss Rattray v. Mrs Wooding- Miss Logan v. Mrs Plimmer; Miss Parr v. Mrs Scott; Miss E. Mcllroy V. Miss Roberts; Miss Knibb v. Mrs Lewis; Miss Bell v. Mrs McGeorge; Miss Crawford v. Miss Sherratt; Mrs Kerr v. Miss Paterson; Miss Wooding v. Miss Bews; Miss Sharpe v. Miss Hawke; Miss Grant v. Mrs Christophers; Mrs Feilden v. Mrs McClure; Miss Wilton v. Mrs Upritchard; Mrs Barker v. Mrs Beckett; Miss A. Mcllroy v. Mrs Macdonald; Mrs Williams v. Miss R. Williams; Miss Crowe v. scorer. Men—W. Webb v. J. S. Barker; A. Vernor v. Alex. Curtis; H. C. Bennett v. J. Lorimer; P G. Withers v. A. J. Burrows; Captain Kerr v A. A. Readdie; D. Lack v. R. Cotton; E. R. Beckett v. Dr. Mail; Q. Christophers v. T. Irving; A. J. Macdonald v. D. C. Williamson; A. D. Sharpe v. B. R. Macdonald; F. R. Flatman v. G. N. Feilden; Dr Curtis v. D. Macdonald; B. T. Heaton v. G. I. Plimmer; F. E. Holdgate v. J. D. McKechnie; M. Flatman v. H. J. McGeorge; G. N. Valentine v. J. Scott; E. E. Scott v. M. Campbell; M. Lewis v. P. Bennett. -GIRLS GONE WILD” “Girls Gone Wild,” which will be screened at the Geraldine Municipal Theatre this evening, is a clever story of a care-free flapper, who goes a step too far in search of a “thriii,” and becomes involved in a blood feud between desperate gangsters. Saved by the heroism of a representative of the despised law and the poor-boy sweetheart she had flouted because he was “too honest,” she is regenerated by love and a realisation that modern freedom of youth is not license. Sue Carol and Wick Stuart have the leading roles. Supports include a tworeel comedy, scenic and gazette.