THE NIGHT WATCHMAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1080, 23 December 1903, Page 3

THE NIGHT WATCHMAN.

At the Borough Council last night the Nightwatchman, Mr Morell, reported : "I bavo the honor to report that I have boon on duty every night this last fortnight from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and to report that there was a fire about 8 miuutes past 2 on tho morning of Decembor 20, which caused the destruction of three shops in Gladstone road, Messrs J. Thomson, G. Smith, and W. Attwood’s.” Another letter was received from the Nightwatchman as follows :—“ From rumours that I have heard this day, there are several of tho subscribers dissatisfied

with mo, and I think it would bo well for your Council to enquire into my conduct whiio on duty as nightwatchman for your Borough. I have been now 6 years and 8 months in your service, aud have always tried to do my duty. Evory month it gels hardor to collect tho contributions. If anything occurs I am expected to bo at tho Record Reign and the wharf at ono and the same time. So, gentlemen, I thiuk it only fair to give me an opportunity to dofend myself.” Mr Morell furthor wrote :— 11 After my past experiences in the collection of the contributions to my salary from Ihe tradespeople, I havo come to the decision

that you will havo to relievo mo from the collection of tho same, for the Bnubs aud

insults I have had to put up with while collecting of a shilling from one to fivo shillings of another, giving it ns if it was charity I was seeking. I want no man’s charity —ail I want is fair play, so gentlemen, if you think I do not earn my salary in 365 nights in tho year, without fivo or six days every month collecting—making over 60 days in tho year—for there £ie places I havo had io go throa and four times to collect a shilling or two who cannot pay that amount out without seeing tho ‘ boss.’ So, gentlemen, if you cannot make other arrangements for my salary, I must beg to tender my resignation at one week’s notice from this day.” In reply to Cr Hepburn, too Town Clerk said that the uighiwatchmnu received ifiiO 9j a month, which ho had io collect himself. Some people gave it with bad grace ; it took five or six days to collect.

Cr Hepburn raid it was hard for him to have to collect it himself in this way. As for fires, they could not expect a man to bo at all parts of tho town at once. Tho Mayor said that Mr Morell had been a faithful and vigilant watchman, though unfortunately on this occasion others had given the alarm. Ho himsolf had spoken abruptly to tho nightwatch' man as ho passed him, but ho did uot think he had taken offence at that. People who stood with tbi-ir hands in their pockets often said a good many things about those who did tho work. It had boon said that tho brigade took twenty minutes to got to- work, which was net true. People who stood with watch in hand at a fire forgot that a fireman had to dress, run 'to the shed, and have water laid cm. Anyone could havo his billet.

Or Miller: You have sympathy with him'? (Laughter.) Tho Mayor suid he certainly had. Cr Morrison: Especially with the salary that firemen got. (Laughter.) Discussion ensued as to what arrangement could be made, councillors considering it unfair that a man on duty all night should have to spend days in collecting his salary. " As to the resignation it was resolved to ask Mr Morell to hold it over until next meeting. As to tho salary, it was decided to send a circular letter to the subscribers and othor business people, asking whether they would be willing to pay subscriptions into the Council.

The Town Clerk said that he could not undertake tho work of collecting the amount.