WRONGFUL DISMISSAL ALLEGED IN PETITION TO HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 September 1950, Page 10

WRONGFUL DISMISSAL ALLEGED IN PETITION TO HOUSE

WELLINGTON, Yesterday (PA).— Alleging wrongful dismissal by the Ministry of Works, Bruce Murray appeared before a select committee of the House of Representatives today, seeking reinstatement, £434 Ils 4d loss of wages and a further sum in compensation. Appearing as the Member for the district sponsoring the petition, Mr. Peter Fraser said the petition was deserving of the careful consideration of the committee, because “it appears a man was conscientiously doing his duty and suffered as a consequence.” In his petition, Murray claimed that he had been dismissed in March last from his employment as a clerk of works, solely because his sense of duty forced his senior officers into taking notice of his complaints against the contractors and foreman on the Ruamahanga River Bridge near Masterton. Petitioner claimed that, as supervisor of the bridge job, he “discovered and reported to his superior officers from time to time numerous and deliberate actions by the bridge crew, and in particular by the foreman of such crew, involving malpractices in the mixing and pouring of concrete, which was of primary importance to the stability and safety of the bridge.” A report from the Public Service Commission chairman, Dr. R. M. Campbell, declaring that Murray’s dismissal was due to his refusal to accept a transfer was read to the committee. A statement from the Commissioner of Works (Mr. E. R. McKillop) said the decision to transfer petitioner to Featherston was made because the district engineer believed that there was no longer any justification for a full-time clerk of works on the Ruamahanga job. “Personal relationships between the contractors, the foreman and petitioner were such that constant friction arose,” said the statement. A number of defects were reported by the petitioner, said Mr. McKillop, but in every case these were remedied by the contractor. The hearing was adjourned until next week.