A SECRETARY'S SALARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10443, 24 April 1912, Page 2

A SECRETARY'S SALARY.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S DIVIDED OPINION. hen the Finance Committee reported to the Hospital Board to-day suggesting that the secretary and treasurer should receive an increase to his salary from £SOO to £550, a discussion arose upon the point. Mr Allison objected to tho proposed increase to the salary of the secretary and treasurer. It seemed as if} ho said, that preparation was being ihado for the officer's retirement. Tho officer was not required to exerciso any great degrooof management. Every increase to the officer's salary had been received by tho public with expressions of dissent. When the salary had been increased to £SOO the Board generally had agreed that the amount was enough.

Mr It Moore enlarged on tho importance of tho office of secretary and treasurer, and said that when tho Board took office tho officer had received £-150, but since then his duties had been extended and made responsibilities, and £550 was not too much.

Air 11. B. Sorensen supported tho increase, and urged that tho Board had piled work upon the secretary nnd had really overloaded the officer. Mr A. H. Turnbull said that after careful consideration lie had como to tho conclusion that the office of secretary and treasurer was wortlr at least £(i00 a year if the duties tho Board desired to bo carried out were efficiently performed. Ho suggested that an "understudy" should ho employed.

Mr G, Scott suggested that tlie officer was rather too old for the efficient performance of his work. Mrs Ensom said that £SOO wns enough for the office. Tf the secretory were overloaded £SO oxt-ra on his salary would not help him to carry out the duties he was nimble to cope with. Mr W. W. Tanner said that u comparison of the salary sheets when the Hoard took office and at the "resent time would show that the Government's idea of economy by the amalgamation of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoards was not being renlised bv 11 io Tinard. Whatever was l>eing paid to the secretary and treasurer the work was not being fnllv done. He did not desire to attack anvone, but was merely putting the posit ion before the Hoard, lie gave instances where instructions given to (he officer had not been carried into effect The chairman (Mr K. TTorrell) said that Mr Allison and Mr Scott bad under-rated the duties of the officer, who had to administer endowments and trust accounts. The incroaw was prim ted on the chairman's en si in et vote.