PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1297, 28 November 1911, Page 4

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

QUESTION AFFECTING THE STAFF. The fortnightly meeting of the Petoue Borough Council was held last evening, Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. AV. M'Ewan), and Councillors R. AV. Short, AV. AVakeham, C. P. Brocklebank, AV. Cox, G. AV. Lodder, S. V. Burridge, J. List, AV. Trueman, and J. Piper. A sum of J230 was voted towards the funds of tho Petono Technical School. A letter was received from thn Wellington Harbour Board stating that the lighting of the Petono wharf was unsatisfactory. It had been agreed that the council should light and maintain the lamp on the Petono wharf for the sura of .£l3 .per annum, this sum to include turning out tho light at sunrise and lighting it at sunset. The charge for gas in tho summer time should not exceed 20s. pur month, yet an account had been received for the mouth of September amounting to £7 35., which extraordinary charge, it was understood, was owing to leakage caused by wilful daniago to the piping. It was considered that this should not occur with adequate supervision, and tho ]>oard was of opinion that tho extra cost should ho borne bv the council. Councillor Lodder and the Engineer were deputed to go into the matter and report to the next meeting of the council. It was decided, on tho motion of Councillor List, that a special nionting of the council should be held within the next eight weeks to consider tho advisability of adopting a drainage or sewage system for the borough, the engineer in the meantime to look into tho question and put before tho council such data as he could collect. Councillor List moved: "Taht tho wage; of drivers employed by the council be raised to £2 lls. for a U hours' week." Councillor Piper moved as an amendment: "That consideration of tho matter bo deferred for one mouth, and that the engineer submit a report in tho meantime." In the event o£ the motion being carried, should the wages start from yestcrdiiy morning ? After discussion, tho motion was carried. • j Councillor Short moved: "That, in order to effect a reorganisation of the office staff, the services of Mr. Clark (auditor to tho Wellington City Council) be secured to report upon tho mauagement and duties'of the office staff, and report to the council at an early date, as to what staff is necessary, together with tho salaries which they, should receive. In tho meantime, tho staff should receive two months' notice as from December 1, 1911." In speaking to tho motion, Councillor Short stated there was a Jack of harmony in the offico staff, and was timo that something was done in the matter. Ee 'moved tho motion without the slightest ill-feeling to anybody. Tho motion was seconded by Councillor Piper, who stated tliat he agreed with Councillor Short. This trouble with tho staff seemed to him to be perennial. Ho considered it their business to see (hat absolute efficiency was secured—or as near as possible. The Mayor thought that the act of appointing a man to report on tho genera] efficiency of tko office staff was nothing less tiian a form of commission, and it looked .as. if they were no competent to manage their own affairs. No proof had been adduced that there was a lack of harmony among the offico staff. The nominee- whom it was proposed to appoint was merely an auditor (o the Wellington City Council, and it did not follow- that be was competent to ndviso the borough. 11 they really wantrd someone to report on the effieeiney cf the office staff they should secure the services of one who was thoroughly conversant with' municipal work. Personally ho saw no reason why they should obtain such a report. Councillor Lodrier moved as an amendment: "That a committee, consisting nf Councillors Short, Pir,er, Lodder and M'Ewan, be sett up (o ;;o into the matter." This amendment was supported by all the other councillors, and Councillor Short then withdrew his motion. Messrs. J. H. Betheuuuo and Co. ai nounce in our auction colnmne that day, at 1 p.m., at the residence, No. 2 Clermont Street (above Talavera Terrace) under instructions from Air. AVm. Gray! who is leaving for Melbourne, they a're selling his high-ciass household furniture and appointments. Amongst the articles to bo submitted are piano by Wilm. Bolin, chesterfield couches, settees, and easy chairs, Wilton pipe carpet, carved diningroom suite, writing-desk and reading lamp, dinner an dtea services, bedroom suite, new lawn mower, garden .tiols, kitchen utensils, and sundries. Complete catalogues will be posted to any address on application, and the furniture will be on view this morning. On Friday next December 1, Messrs. Abraham unci AVilliams, Ltd., will hold a stock sale at Levin. Messrs. Dalgoty and Co. will hold a stock sale at. Upper Hutt on Thursday, November 30. At their rooms, Brandon Street, tomorrow, Messrs. ,\. h. Wilson and Co will bold a sole of a. largo collection of household furnishings, t'he&o including si very fine upright, gmud piany. Further particular* of the sale will bo found in our advertising columns. Messrs. nines Macintosh, and Co, nf this city, snv (o-dny advertising a. sheep farm of (1000 ucros, (lio particulars of which should appeal lo anyone on 111" lookout for tint t-lass of proposition" J hey draw attention lo tho foot tint moneys can be obtained from them on country properties at lowest rates of interest, and --inyono needing financial assistance lor the purpo.s of piirchasirs n desirable property would do well to consult them. J hey have also been appointed distinct, agents for the. Standard Fin, -uid Marine Insurance. Coinrwiiy 0 C New Zealand, Ltd. EUowlK-ro in this issue will 1* f ouml particulars ot two large properties for silo. The iinuouncemoDl: is b\- Mpmi--Diilgply and Co. Tho properties ran to in 13(10 :v:.rc3 and 7S0;l awes respective!;and are bolii wrll watw-d. "' Tli« aXI-eiiHon of ijivc-lnrs is directed to :i U advertisement in another column calling for lenders for « li mi |,l or | ; of land lit. the coiner nf Constable aud lfidrii ford Sltcols. logrl.hr,- tvil.l, U,n buildiu.r formerly Im.mrn.-as the "Xewtoivn RoleJ " and (:wu hhop-. ' WooaV Great Fepjvsrminfc Cure for Coughs md Cckb, never fail;, li, ed, , j