H.B. RIVERS' BOARD CLERK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 62, 6 December 1937, Page 7

H.B. RIVERS' BOARD CLERK

Appointment of Mr OTonnell To Siand MOTION FOR RECISION The Hawke's Bay Rivers board today adhered to its previous resolution in the appointment of Mr W. J. O'Connell, clerk of the Hawke's Bay Gounty Council, as clerk of the board, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Mr W. J. Pallot. At today 's meeting a motion by Mr W. G. Jarvis that the appointment be Tescinded and that applications be invited for the position was not agreed to. It was contended by Mr Jarvis that the appointment would result in the board losing its identity. In the lengthy diseussion which took place the possibility of the board's office being later moved to Hastings was raised. Mr Jarvis said that, ever since the board was constituted, it had had an independent clerk as the chief executive officer of the board. The system had always worked very effieiently. 'i'he proposed arrangement was a revolutionary change and the ratepayers had a right to know what was the position. It was a drastie change which had not been considered by the board. The proposals were drawn up by the council and, as a result, altera- ' placed before members of the board without any notice being given. The proposals were not wholly acceptable by the council and, as a result, altera tions had to be made. "This proposai will mean mat the board will be shorn of its independence," continued Mr Jarvis. "It has been represented that there will be a deeided saving but I can hardly follow that. I am at a-loss to see where it can take place. Our independence should mean more to us than some possible slight saving." Mr. Jarvis contended that if a change was to be mad© it should be held over until the new board was elected in May nest. Mr. J. H. . Sheath, in seconding the motion, considered that it was absurd to ask Mr. O'Connell to take over the duties of clerk to the board without any a'dditional remuneration. Mr. W. H. Campbell said that if the boaTd was not in the middle of a big work he would support a resolution to move the board's offices to Hastings. He would not press it just now but conBidered that the day would come when such a change would be made. The proposals, in his opinion wero sound and satisfactory and would lead to the two" bodies puiling together. Tho boar4 would not in any way lose its identity. Foolish and Unwise, Mr. G. Fairey regarded the proposals as being foolish and unwise. Mr. E. E. Talbot said that a saving of £275 would be made to the board in its office administration and after the big work was completed the conditions would have to be reviewed. Continuing Mr, Talbot said. that if the arrangement did not result in efficient service the board could tertniaate it after three months' notice. Ho agreed with Mr. Campbell that a move cOuld be made to have the board 's office located in a more central position. Mr. J. Macdonald considered that any scheme of economy which would save money to the ratepayers would be good business. Innuendoes Raised. Mr. L. E. Harris stated that Mr. Sheath had raised innuendoes which Were uncalled for in regara fo the office where the original proposals were typed. He knew of no common sense reason why the arrangement ma.de should not be carried out. The chairman said that where a zubstantial s%ving could be made to the ratepayers, it sifouIE be given effecfc to. Mr. O'Connell was a highly expericnced official. The question of moving the office had been raised but he did not regard such a proposai as wise while the board was carrying out the present big work. He was satisfied that the proposai to amalganlate the two offices was a step in the right direction. A Red Herring. Mr Jarvis in reply said he had card fully avoided the Napier-Hastings feeling when proposing his motion. n 3 deprecated any efforts at drawing a red herring across the trail. He considered that the proposals were unduly kurried, and, as they were subsequenti.v Varied by the cOUnty council he thought that they should be further c&saidered by the board. The question of amaigamation had been raised and at the foi'thcoming local body eleetions ratepayers could be afforded the opportunlty of voicing their opinions. The motion was lost, the voting bo ing:— For: Messrs Jarvis, Sheath aad Fairey. Against: Messrs Lasseli, Campbell, Talbot, McDonald, Harris and Burns.