PROTEST MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1932, Page 5

PROTEST MEETING

BONUS FOR ENGINEER.

(Per Press Assbciation — Copyright.)

TIMARU, July 13

Between two and three hundred ratepayers in the' Mackenzie County attended ah indignation meeting at Fairlie to-night, when the following motion, moved by Mr Tritt, was carried unanimously:—

“(1) The ratepayers emphatically protest against the action of the council in paying a bonus of £SO to the engineer-clerk, considering that his salary is £495 per annum, (2) The ratepayers recognise and appreciate tho engineer’s ability, but consider that in relation to the present times .he is already well paid for his services, and a bonus is not justified. (3) The meeting has no confidence in, the present Finance Committee, and emphatically disagrees with the jettisoning of Mr Campbell from the committee. (4) The councillors who supported the bonus proposal are called upon to reimburse the county funds by £SO, and the meeting endorses the action cf Mr Campbell in' opposing the. bonus. (5) The meeting protests against further cuts in the lower paid workers’ wages,” •Mr C. J. Talbot sai dthnt he considered that on account of the saving in rates of £2600 last year and the proposed saving of £2200 this year, the meeting should be one of commendation and not of indignation. The bonus was justified because the engineer's salary had pot risen since lie* was first appointed. '