INSPECTOR’S DUTIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17886, 5 December 1929, Page 5

INSPECTOR’S DUTIES.

OBJECTION TO QUESTION.

BOROUGH COUNCIL “ BREEZE.”

TOWN CLERK CHIDED. The principle of whether a borough official should devote his spare time to other remunerative work was introduced into a discussion at the Borough Council' last evening. Exception to the manner in which the town clerk (Mr W. L. Waddel) made an explanation was taken by several councillors. Seventeen applications had been received for the position of assistant sanitary inspector, and the council was about to refer the matter of selection to a committee, when Cr. F. J. Farrell rose and expressed the view that.the cost of local body administration tvas high enough in the Dominion, and he saw no necessity for another inspector. In Auckland some local bodies were content to allow contractors to notify them if any nuisances or irregularities were found. He did not want the council to waste another £250 a year on nothing. , Cr C. Lafferty said he had asked the town clerk for the letters of appointment of the present borough inspector (Mr J. W. Lewis), but had been unable to get them. He had asked this to ascertain whether the inspector’s private work was interfering with his work for the council. He would strongly oppose any additional inspector, but he wanted the issue to be clear at the moment. Cr. Cobbc wanted to know if it was a fact that Cr. Lafferty had said the inspector carried out other duties.

“ No Interference.” The town clerk (sharply) : “There Is no question of interference. The inspector does certain work at the Technical School in the evening, and 1 the council has not thought it wrong. If councillors think it is then it is their duty to raise the point.” The Mayor (Mr J. R. Fow) thought the remarks made were rather irrelevant. The business was to consider | applications. It was certainly extra'J ordinary that councillors who had | known the situation regarding Inspeci tor Lewis should now question it. ! Cr. Farrell: “We are only seeking 1 information.” The Mayor said that the council should ensure that the whole town was being thoroughly safeguarded from a sanitary point of view. He moved that a committee consisting of the Mayor, the town clerk, Crs. Tldd and Tyler and Inspector Lewis be appointed to consider the applications and make recommendations. Strong Exception Taken. “I take strong exception to the way the town clerk replied to a councillor,” said Cr. A. J. Denz. “I see no reason why he should get annoyed when a councillor asks a question. Councillors have every right to make inquiries, and the town clerk was ill-advised to speak as he did. I don’t want the town clerk or anyone else to tell me my duty." Cr. Cobbe said he had to admit that he was taken aback at the way the town clerk had “Jumped at him.” The samo thing had happened before when he had sought information. He understood that he (Cr. Cobbe) was usually courteous —at least he tried to be. He thought the council was entitled to a little consideration. His Worship did not think there was any personal animus between the town clerk and the councillors concerned. For years Mr Lewis had been an instructor at the Technical School, and nobody had raised the point before. It was open to any councillor to move in the matter if ho thought it irregular. “1 didn’t know anything about it, and I think I was Justified In asking for information,” Cr. Cobbe added. He only raised the question to ensure that the remark made,, by Cr. Lafferty was correct.

The Mayor:, “Well, you got your re cr.’ Cobbe: “Yes, but I didn’t want to be jumped at."

Inspector’s Arduous Tasks-

Cr. Tyler expressed the opinion that the whole matter was the aftermath of a discussion In committee. He felt Cr. Lafferty would hold a different view if he were fully conversant with Inspector Lewis’ duties. The inspector often arose at midnight on some job and started out to work in the early hours of the morning. If he could earn something without interfering with the council’s demands all the more credit to him. Gr. Lafferty claimed that his remarks had not been the aftermath of a committee meeting. He always believed it to be a councillor’s duty to support statements with facts. Before he could do this he had to see 'the letters of appointment of the inspector. He had been unable to get these. He had no heartburnings against the town clerk and did not want anyone to think he had spoken with Vindictive feelings. He was not built that way. The town clerk then arose and apologised if his remarks had been responsible for any soreness. He had no intention of instructing councillors, and was sorry if he had given the impression that he was doing so. He knew he was apt to be impulsive at times, and to say things rather forcibly. He and the staff had made -a thorough search for Inspector Lewis’ conditions of appointment, but he 'believed they were mislaid about four years ago, whei sundry alterations were proceeding. I-Ic had never heard that Mr Lewi's’ work at school encroached on his work for the council. However, any inquiry about it was one entirely for the council. Cr. Denz said he had absolutely no objection to Inspector Lewis working apart from his duties to the council. He had found the inspector a very efficient officer, and he had a lot of respect for him. The Mayor then put the motion, j*hich was carried.