TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 3

TAIHAPE

MAJESTIC. “Hold Everything,” with Winnie Lightner, will show finally at the Majestic, Taihape, to-nighi ami all taonpicture patrons who delight in wcl: acted comedy shou'd be sure tu book their seat and to see this picture ocforj it is too late. To-morrow there is another treat in store, for George Ariiss won his way into the hearts of all in his master film “Disraeli” will be seen in a further triumph “The Green Goddess.” Ju Jus film he acts the part of a cruel Indian rajah who has his kingdom in the hills. Two white men and a white woman full into his power through their aeroplane being forced to descend in his territory. One of the white men loses his life in trying to save himself and his companions and throughout the picture the audience is held in rapt attention. Arliss acts with polish and is supported by a good cast. WILFUL DAMAGE ALLEGED. A charge of committing mischief by wilfully damaging a motor-car with jutent to defraud an insurance company was preferred against Leonard Edward Swenson, farmer, of Ngawaka, at the Taihape Police Court on Saturday, before Mr E. Loader J.P. Sergeant Joyce appeared for the police while Mr W. H. Maclean represented accused. The charge read as follows: —“On May ID at Utiku did commit mischief by wilfully damaging one “Hudson” five-seater motor-car valued at £2OO, the property of Swenson Bros., with intent to defraud the Royal Insurance Company Ltd. Sergeant Joyce asked for a remand until next Friday, May 29. He said that accused had been arrested on Friday evening and the police had not yet completed their inquiries. The application was granted and accused was remanded. to appear on the date mentioned. He was allowed bail in one surety of £250 or two sureties of £125. BOROUGH AFFAIRS. Many matters of interest to local residents were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council on Friday evening. His Worship the Mayor (Mr L. B. H. de Lautour occupied the chair, and also present were Councillors Loader, Christensen, McDonald, White, Butler, Darvill and Wilsher. Rugby Union’s Request. The Taihape Rugby Union wrote asking the Council to provide scats under the trees facing No. 2 football ground. The letter added that the provision sug. gested would be very much, appreciated by the general public. The seats would be appreciated not only by those attending football matches, but by all using the grounds. The Mayor intimated that it was impossible to go to the expense of providing two seats at the present time. Apart from this aspect of the case, the question of whether it would be advisable to erect the seats, had to be considered carefully. He would move that the matte r be referred to the Oval Domain Committee for a report. The motion was seconded, by Ur. Christensen, and carried. Hautapu River Bridge. “At the present time it appears that no work is proceeding in connection with the construction of the new bridge over the Hautapu River, and many wild rumours regarding the matter are in circulation throughout the town,” said Cr. F. White, who moved that the Rangitikei County Council be asked if everything was in order and whether the construction of the bridge was “going on” at the present time. The Mayor: If anything was wrong the County Council would acquaint us of the fact. I was talking to one of the men working on the bridge and he told me that the work was held up for want of cement. Cr. McDonald: The Rangitikei County Council will look after the bridge. There is no need to worry. Cr. White’s motion lapsed fo r want of a seconder. Wages and Salaries. The question of reducing the wages and salaries of the borough staff was discussed and the matter was eventually deferred for three months The Mayor moved that the salaries of the Borough staff bo reduced on a sliding scale as follows:—£200 to £30.0 pe r annum, 5 per cent, reduction; £3OO to £4OO, 7 J per cent, reduction. All employees ou the minimum award rates to be exempt from tho reductions. Cr. Loader seconded the motion. He hated making reductions at all, but con sidered it was the duty of the Council to take some action in the matter. He thought the proposed reductions were reasonable, during the past year the Council had paid out £4012 18s 5d in wages. Of this amount £707 had been paid t< tho office staff while £lßl4 9 S 4<j had been paid to tho Electric Light Department’s staff. The Works Committee’s staff haj received £1573 Ils 4d. The sum of £443 6s 5d had been paid tor overtime worked during the year. Those employees who were uude r the award and worked overtime had to be paid accordingly. Occasions arose when it was absolutely necesary for members of the electric light staff io work overtime. Ur. McDonald supported the motion, stating that it was the duty of the Council to follow the lead of the Government and the various local bodies. <.'r. Christensen intimated that he did not intend to vol.- for fhe motion. It did not. conform with his ideas on the. subject but he did not propose to move au amendment. Cr. Butler moved an amendment, that the question of reducing the wages of the borough staff be deferred for three months. He fell that the Council should not be stampeded into fallinginto line with the Government in cub ting wages. If the wages of the borough stall were reduced, it would not help things much. The Government departments were overstaffed and econ omy was essential, but the Council x-.is not in the same position. There was no great urgency to reduce wages as the finances of the borough were in a satisfactory condition and the Council was receiving the best of service from its staff. Cr. White seconded the amendment. He concurred with the views expressed by Cr. Butler, 'fhe Council should .-on aider the matter very carefully before

taking any action. He admitted that wages must be reduced before the cost of living could come down. If the wages of certain members of the staff wore reduced to the extent, proposed, the Council would be inflicting a hardship on the employees in quesetion. The Council needed the best service it could get from its “out-door” staff during the winter months. The Council didn't, want any disgruntled men. If wages were reduced and the men be came <li>griint l<-d the resultant saving of money would bo false economy. Cr. Darvill spoke in support of the amendment. If reductions in wages were imperative he thought that they should be on a basis of merit and not on a percentage basis. Cr Wilshcr also supported the amendment. In his opinion it*was false economy to reduce wages without reducing tie cost of living. The two should go hand in hand. He quoted a leading fin ancial authority in England who had stated that cutting wages was not help ing the financial position of the coun try. 'flic amendment was then put to the meeting ami carried, those support ing it being Crs. Butler, White, Dar vill, and Wilsher. Those who voted against it were the Mayor ami Crs. Loader and McDonald. Cr. Christensen refrained from vot ing.