OHAKUNE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 250, 21 October 1937, Page 10

OHAKUNE

OHAKUNE BOROUGH CO I NCIL. At the monthly meeting of the Ohakune Borough Council on Thursday evening the following matters, at the instance of the works committee, were approved:— From Dunedin Engineering and Steel Co. quoting for a pair of manganese crusher jaws at £lB and advising that same can be made and delivered within two weeks from date of order received. The town clerk reported in regard to what he had done in the matter. Resolved on the motion of His Worship the Mayor that the town clerk’s action be approved. A report was received and the application of Mr. J. Watson for the rental of the unformed road at £1 per year was accepted with the proviso that a depth of li chains by nine feet wide be left at the side adjoining Mr. Gardiner's property to allow him room to get his firewood in. Resolved that Mr. Bell, Public Works Department, be written to , drawing his department's attention to ! the state of the tar sealing in Gold-finch-street with regard to a top dressing eoat. Deputation. A deputation consisting of Messrs. Dinwoodie and Curran waited on the \<orks committee in connection with notices served on them by the district health inspector regarding the effluent from their respective premises draining into the open drain leading through the rear of the premises. Correspondence was read from the sanitary inspec.Vr to the borough requesting that a closed drain and sump be provided for waste water from the houses. After a good general discussion on the difficulties found to exist in performing the work owing to the nature of the locality it was decided to lea\« the matter in abeyance pending the next visit of Mr. Roy, health inspector. Resolved on the motion of Cr. Taylor that a sump be dug in the most suitable property, as an indication to the results and for the inspection of the health inspector. Wages and Salaries. The question of wages and salaries was discussed. The Mayor pointed □ut that the position to-day was that some of the employees of the borough, who really had no responsibility upon their shoulders, were receiving more than the town clerk who was carrying the majority of responsibility and was answerable to the council for the management. This was brought about by the many new. awards that governed certain employees, but as far as the electrical engineer and town clerk were concerned there was no award governing them and this was how the anomalies were creeping in. He considered a special meeting should be held to go into the question, or if the council saw fit appoint say the Finance Committee with the electric light chair'man and engineer to go into the matter. Cr. Taylor said they had an excellent town clerk who was giving good service and they did not want to lose him. He certainly should receive a rise in wages. Cr. Proffitt said he was against a committee being set up to go into the question of wages. If they sat and decided on a rise for various employees it would come back to the council and that committee could practically carry it without some of the councillors having a say. Cr. Spiller thought all councillors should discuss the wages question. It was too big a matter for a committee to deal with and take the responsibility of. The mayor said he was quite open on the matter. It was undoubtedly a bij question and one that should be r*lly discussed from all angles. It was resolved to hold a special meeting of the borough council on Thursday, October 28, at 7.30 p.m. to discuss the question.