CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 415, 14 May 1902, Page 2

CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Charitable Aid Board was held last- night. The Secretary, Mr H. McKay, forwarded his j resignation. A good deal of routine business was deal with. The Hospital Trustees notified a requisition for £2340 ; last year it was £llOO. It was mentioned that £SOO was for the proposed isolation ward. The Chairman suggested that the matter be handed over to a committee. Last year there had been a considerable amount of building, and the Board had not been asked for anything like that sum—it was the largest they had yet been asked for. Mr Harding said that it was that Board, not the Hospital Trustees, that were asking for the new buildings. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Finance Committee. For the position of secretary there .were 13 applications as follows A. F. Cuff, M. G. Nasmith, juur., D. Moiice, \V. Hanger, T. A. Coleman, Arch. L. Cooper, A. F. Hardy, J. M. Cumming, J. Godfrey, K. B. Macdonald, G. Stubbs, J. Nutting, and R. D. B. Robinson. The latter statc-d that he considered he would be able to carry out the duties without interfering with the Council work, and he was willing to allow £2O for an assistant. Members said they had a lot of good men to select from. Air Lysnar said Mr Robinson's offer as an assistant was very important. Mr Jones said if it was a question of saving money it would be a matter to consider. Mr Robinson did his work well, but he did not think they should put more on him. Mr Lysnar considered it would be more convenient to have the one man controlling the' two, if Mr Robinson could do the other work, as he said he could. If amalgamation came off another clerk would be needed. Mr Whinray : He will have enough without Charitable Aid. Mr Lysnar said it could be understood he would get no further rise. Mr Wliinray thought that the position should be given to some other man ; there were plenty of good applicants. After some discussion as to how the decision would be made, Mr Harding proposed Mr Robinson, and Mr Mason seconded. Mr Lysnar spoke in support of the motion ; all the Charitable Aid work went through that office ; it would be an advantage inceonomyand efficiency of administration. Mr Hepburn supported Mr Robinson; for years he thought Mr Robinson should have a rise. He now had to take up much time in message work; it puzzled him (Mr Hepburn) how Mr Robinson did so well. The £2O would be a good start for getting extra assistance, which they all would approvo of his having. Mr Jones said Mr Robinson did excellent work and gave every satisfaction as Town Clerk—the best they had ever had. But there was a principle to deal with, and he did not think they should put all these things on one man. They had raise i Ml 1 . Robinson’s salary last year ; he was also valuator and secrelaty for the domain, and should have enough to attend to. There were others among the applicants to whom they should extend such an appointment. If a mau had sufficient to do he should not have more thrust upon him when there were so many good men available. Cr Wliinray (who had suggested Mr Nasmith) said he thought an appointment outside should be made. Mr Mason said that he thought the question of whether Mr Robinson had time should not now apply, as they had tacitly agreed to that. Mr Harding said he had thought the matter over, and felt that Mr Robinson should have some increase. He spoke very highly of the way Mr Robinson did his work. He thought this a good opportunity to give Mr Robinson a small increase, and have an extra hand in the office. They bad a lot of very good names to select from, but the Council would have an extra assistant without costing them any more. Mr Whinray said he had gone on the rule of the greatest good for the greatest number, but the argument by Mr Harding that they would have someone else in case Mr Robinson fell ill was the best he had heard for the proposal. The motion was carried. Mr Jones dissented, saying that he did not object to Mr Robinson, excepting on the principle.