BOROUGH SANITARY INSPECTORS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15882, 30 July 1919, Page 9

BOROUGH SANITARY INSPECTORS.

A DISMISSAL. ' ‘ IMPORTANT MATTERS CONSIDERED. Important matters in respect to the Borough’s sanitary inspectorate were dealt with at the meeting of the Borough Council last night. The first matter arose out of a letter written by Mr J. Ogilive, sanitary inspector, declining to tender his resignation under the charge made by the Council. The Mayor said that Mr Ogilvie had been given an opportunity to resign, first privately, then by request of the Council. There was now only - one course open. He moved that the Council terminate Mr Ggilvie’s engagement arid pay one mouth’s Salary in lieu of notice. Cr. Thompson said he considered the penalty Auo severe. Mr Ogilvie had served the Council faithfully and well. He was the only certificated inspector on the Council’s staff. Cr. Sharpe said he did not think that the charge on which Mr Ogilvie had been found guilty was sufficient to warrant dismissal. Cr. Burnett agreed with Cr. Sharpe. Cr. Donaldson advocated leniency to Mr Ogilvie. He, could not condone the offence, and thought that Mr Ogilvie would lose the confidence of the Council in future. He thought that It wpuld be sufficient to suspend him for two months, without salary, and severely censure him. He moved an amendment accordingly. This was seconded by Cr. Burnett. The Mayor said it was necessary that a man holding such a position should possess the confidence of the Council. A sanitary inspector had to be a watch dog for the public. Thf? Council had heard the case and had given him every possible opportunity of bringing forward his evidence. It had found him guilty of the charge. Someone had “got at” Mr Ogilvie, or where did the petition come from? someone had worked on his weakness. It was necessary, for the discipline of the staff, that strict measures should be taken Cr. Green said he thoright the Mayor’s strictures on Mr Ogilvie were too severe. Cr. Gower said that if Mr Ogilvie bad acknowledged openly that he had made a slip, the Council might have taken, a lenient view. He had,, however, persisted with his denials. The amendment was lost, only four voting for it, and the motion was carried.

With reference to the above matter, it is understood, although it was not definitely stated during the discussion, that Mr Ogilvie had been charged by the Council with having taken a petition respecting another inspector to a plumber, an allegation to which, he gave an emphatic denial A-n inquiry was held ny the Council, when evidence was heard from botli sides, after which the Council agreed, not unanimously, to ask Mr Ogilvic for his resignation. The Mayor prefaced his remarks bv saying thaT the reports dealing with the case were before the Council and were open to the Press.

The next matter considered was a petition signed by the whole of the registered plumbers of the town, both journeymen and masters, asking that no one without qualifications at least equal to , a registered plumber should be appointed to the position of sanitary inspector. . The full text of the petition follows: “We, the undersigned master and journeymen plumbers residing and working in” Wanganui, respectfully call your attention to the undesirability of appointing Mr A. Gilmour aa an inspector of sanitary plumbing. Our grounds for objecting 'to him holding this position are as follows:—That'he is not a practical plumber, and we contend that.no one ghould hold the position of a sanitary inspectr of plumbing unless he is a fully qualified man in botli theoretical .and practical plumbing. ( We wish to point out to you that all plumbers in Wanganui engaged in sanitary work are men licensed by the Plumbers’ Board of Jtow Zealand, a special Board se't up "by the Government to deal with these questions. We beg to point out to you the absolute unfairness of having an inspector who doesfhot possess equal qualifications to the men carrying on sanitary plumbing work.. This one fact alone should appeal to anyone. (The petition wag supported by a deputation of ‘27 plumbers, both masters and journeymen. ' 1 Mr Halligan, speaking in support of the petition, said that all plumbers, had to he qualified and registered before they were allowed to work at tlieir trade, and they considered that it was only fair to them that the inspector should be at least of equal qualifications. Mr Crawford, representing the journeymen, supported? the remarks of Mr Halligan. The Major, in reply,- said he could express no opinion so far 5s Mr Gilmour’s qualifications were concerned, but he could .say” there' was no doubt about his integrity, arid his desire to safeguard the interests of the public. The fact- that there was-a feeling against his inspectorship might possibly be his best testimonial. The matter could, not be ignored and should be enquired into. It was possible that later on the plumbers would be called, upon to give reasons for their attitude against Mr Gilmour. t The petition was referred to the Works Committee. 1

It transpires that within the past few weeks the local plumbers have for the first time been informed by The' Borough authorities that Mf Andrew Gilmour had, some twelve months ago,, been appointed chief sanitary 1 inspector for Wanganui. Hitherto Mr Ogilvie had acted in that capacity, and his super-. cession by Mr Gilmour has oome as'a surprise to them.