CITY COUNCIL STAFF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3177, 30 August 1917, Page 7

CITY COUNCIL STAFF

SALARIES REVIEWED

STATEMENT BY »THE MAYOR

■Whilst in eommittco at the conclusion 'of last Thursday's meeting of the City Council, tlio salaries of the stall' came under roview, ami as tho result of a tull consideration of the difficulties under which stall's hare been maintained increases were mado in the different departments. . ~ . When interviewed-yesterday on this subject the Mayor <.Mr. J. P. Luke) said that, notwithstanding the fact that there was a war on, certain action had been taken, by the council in the 'adjustment of the salaries of eonio of - the officers, as a consequence of iuen filling certain positions having had to step into a higher grade with moro exacting duties owing to the depletion of staffs caused through the'war. Quito a number of- changes iad been made in ■that.respect; Another Teason for tho adjustments mentioned ■was that owing to the war, which had now lasted over three years, .the' .usual increases to salaries had to a great extent- oeen" postponed, and they could not 'very-well be further postponed. Hβ said that in no apologetic spirit, but with n' full knowledge of the requirements of tho various services of the council. . The present was'not a time to make increases that were not called' for, and. they .had not been, niado except where they were considered necessary and were well deserved. He felt that the community would recognise that, at a time like the sacrifices Jiad to ,be made, but they had to remember that the. efficiency of'the various services, had. to be maintained. • This year the council considered that it must revise the ralaries,. takeverything into .consideration, Iho following--extra, amounts (the Mayor raid ho would not individualise) "had been allocated to tho .various departments:— . ■■.-.- ; . , „ Town Clerk's department". ■■-■ 253 City Treasurer's department .. ..•»■. d« City Solicitor's department . :...., Wi City Engineer's' department v......... j--Tramways department <-l Electric lighting; department .■.:■.,■■' >44 .■■:- Total ....:.....:.::: ..:.■.:.. asm In 'ward to the first threo departments' enumerated, tho 'salaries were not. so' varying in character. In one case, that of the chief administrative .officei of the city's finance, the salary had not been raised-for ten years, ;nd quite a number of other officers had not .been in receipt of salaries that they, perhaps, should' have been. In the other departments most of the men had been burdened with a larger range of duties of: a hi"hly responsible .character, and Mβ whole of them had loyally carried them out These were now being recompensed only on tho basis-of-services rendered. In tlie City Engineer's department some „£ the officers who had had to shoulder a larger share of essential '.duties had worked not only in the day tine, but had extended their labours..into hours usually devoted- to recreation and rest ai.tei office hours. These service,' were now .being recognised-'* by' the Mayor and council. .The other two departme.ntstatmwuys and electric ligking-wero trading concerns, and m addition to tlie ordinary changes that, may be expected L big staffs, they, had to take .into consideration and meet the conditions arib- . ing from a . demand . for. such men throughout tho Dominion. Men or capacity had found other doo'rs' open to ■I horn at- increased -.i-alanes owing, to changed.conditions.. In.these departments'thev had to provide for maximum efficiency 'and 1 immunity f ram -accideri, and thofo considerations, together with the. steady- growth of. the business not, withstanding .the war, .required officers capable of maintaining a smooth administration. .iThe.iivenues; of Rmployment that were opening up were so varied and attractive, that- they, had to, keep the human, element in.view—the natural doiire of. uien.lo better their life, Finally the 'Mayor; paid a tr b te on behalf of tho council to the lo>al and faithful service which had been ieiidered by the chief executive officers of the council, and the ready response,thv had shown in taking up the extra responsibilities' thrown upon them by tho exigencies' of the times.