BOROUGH TURNCOCK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2159, 15 August 1907, Page 1

BOROUGH TURNCOCK

On Tuesday evening tho Borough Council discussed the applications received for the position of borough turncock.

Cr. Sheridan strongly urged the appointment of Mr. Hay, the Council’s inspector on tho present contract, to the position. He pointed out that Mr H'ay was thoroughly competent, trustworthy, familiar with the whole of the work,, and well qualified in every respect. The plumbers of tHe town were anxious to see him appointed, and he (the speaker) understood that a petition would be presented that evening. It was -proposed that Mr. Hay should act as instructor,-in plumbing at the technical school, which would be a good arrangement. Of course it wias not strictly businesslike to consider Mr. Hay’s application, as the Council had advertised, for a man at £3 10s, but the matter was so important that it was imperative to get the beat man. Tho difference in salary was only £76 pel- annum, which was immaterial if the Council got a really reliable man. .He pointed out that Mr Hay was competent to supervise extensions, -finis' saving the special services .of nn .engineer. He would probably save the Council Ills salary throe or four times over. '

-f Mr. Mayor said 'that- in taking .over a new work, of-magnitude, it was necessary to have a thoroughly com-

potent man who understood the whole system, and the Council eouhl not get a more trustworthy man than Mr. Hay. There were 4G miles of pipes to maintain, and Mr. Hay’s engagement would prbably save the cost of a special nra-n to look after the main lino, as lie was competent to supervise all branches. Before deciding on any appointment the Council should meet Mr. Hay in committee to soe if a satisfactory arrangement could he arrived at to retain his services. A man who knew the whole work so thoroughly would he a great acquisition to the Co tin oil’s staff. Ho lmd held the view from the start that £3 10s was an insufficient salary for such a responsible position.

Cr. Whinray favored further consideration of the matter.

Cr Miller, holding the same view, thought the appointment of Mr. Bay would solve the difficulty of obtaining a suitable instructor for the plumbing classes. It was important as the Council had to grant working licensee to plumbers. His qualifications for tlio position of turnkey were undoubted.

Cr Somervell thought the Council had done wrong in calling applications at £3 10s. It would be rather unfair to ■ applicants who had complied with the conditions of the advertisement to depart from those conditions. - Cr. Mann did not see why, because an error had been made in the first place, the Council should perpetuate the mistake, and lose the opportunity of securing a man of such qualifications.

Cr. Pet-tie said it was rather unbusinesslike, but with so much at stake tlio Council would be justified. The Engineer bad simply recommended tlio best of the other applicants. Cr. Sheridan : The appointment of an outside man is simply a gamble ; we may get a good man or we may not. The Council is not debarred from going beyond the committee’s report. After further discussion, it was agreed to meet Mr. Hay in committee on Tuesday evening next.