TOWN CLERK'S SALARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1031, 16 April 1912, Page 3

TOWN CLERK'S SALARY.

INCREASED BY PER

ANNUM

WHILE ACTING AS HALE

MANAGER

At last night's Council meeting, the Mayor moved that, having in consideration the very large amount of extra work entailed on the Town Clerk in connection with pictures and skating, that his salary be increased by per annum while acting as Hall manager ; this sum to be debited to the Town Hall account and to date from April Ist.

In speaking to the motion, the Mayor said that he had had the motion in mind for some time past, but bad postponed bringing it forward until after the end of the financial year, in order that councillors, before being asked to vote on it, should know exactly how the finances of the Hall stood. The balance-sheet read that night showed that the Hall had made a handsome profit, and they would all recognise what a very large amount of extra work fell on the Town Clerk in connection with the management of the Hall. He was in attendance at the Hall practically five nights a week, and in addition to this there was the extra office work to perform. He felt sure the Council did not want to make a large profit and not pay a fair salary to those employed. When the last increase in salary was made and the Hall was mentioned, it was not anticipated that the Council would run their own picture show and skating rink. If applications were called for the position, they would not get a man to do the work for the amount mentioned.

Cr Speirs, in seconding the motion, endorsed all the Mayor had said. He knew that it was not expected, when the building of the hall was decided upon, that there would be the amount, of extra work there was. He said the successs of the Hall was to a very large extent the result of the manager’s work. Cr Greig was pleased to support the motion, as the Council should always endeavour to give a reasonable remuneration for the work done, and in this case the additional salary was more than earned.

Cr Adams said he would not have agreed to any increase for clerical work, but the manager was doing a great deal more, and he would therefore support the motion.

Cr Chr\stall said that at times Mr Fraser was doing the work ot two men and he would support even a larger increase.

Cr Richmond could not see his way clear to support the motion, although he admitted the Town Clerk’s work was greatly increased. He recollected that when the last increase was granted, Mr Fraser had said that he would not want any more lor looking after the Town Hall. He did not know exactly what the Town Clerk's salary was at present. The Mayor: per annum.

Continuing, Cr Richmond said the Borough finances were not in such a position that they could afford to pay exhorbitaut salaries. At the present time they were paying over per annum in salaries alone. He would certainly oppose the motion as he knew it was not the wish of the ratepayers.

Cr Gibbs supported the motion. Previously he did not anticipate that Mr Fraser would have to undertake the extra amount of work that he had done. On the last occasion that an increase was made he had stated he would not favour any further increases, but his remarks then only referred to clerical work. He would like to seethe words, “as long as the hall is a paying concern,” added to the motion, but he had no doubt the hall would continue to pay well. Cr Coley said he would not support the motion, as he was under the impression there were to be no more increases. The skating would only continue tor seven months, and if the motion were altered to read that an increase at the rale of per annum be made for that period and half the amount for the balance ol the year he would support it, but not otherwise. The Mayor, in reply, said he was pleased to hear from Councillors that they were fairly unanimous that the extra salary was deserved. In reierence to the Town

Clerk’s statement made when the last increase was granted, to the effect that he would not require any iiuther increase for looking after the Hall, it was then understood that the work in this connection would only be the booking of

seats and the ordinary clerical work. It was not anticipated that the Council would run pictures or a skating rink. If they advertised for a manager, no one would suggest that they would be able to get one for ,£35 per annum. If Mr Fraser were paid what the work was really worth he would get at least ,£75 a year. The Town Clerk asked for permission to say a lew words. He thanked the Councillors for their recognition of the work he had done. He had given the matter a good deal ot consideration, and had come to the meeting with the intention of asking the Council to relieve him of all work in connection with the management of the Hall. To do as he had been doing meant that he had no leisure whatever. In view of the new arrangement, he would give it a trial for a little longer, but the last month had been a very strenuous oue, as the work had increased in almost all branches. He desired to correct a slight misapprehension on the part ot some of the Councillors in Conner-’ 'n with the last increase iu sala . The increase then made was not in his salary, but in that of his assistant, who happened to be his daughter. She had been in the employ of the Council for five years, for three of which she received no pay. She was then paid 10s a week, and talked ol leaving, and he suggested she should apply lor a rise. This was done, and an additional ten shillings per week was granted. It was at that time that some of the Councillors stated that the Town Clerk would ask for a further rise when the Hall was built. He had then said he would not, but at that time he did not anticipate that he would have to undertake the amount of work in connection with the Hall that he had done. He concluded by again thanking the Council for recognising the work he had done, and would continue to do same, but could not promise that he would be able to keep it up. The motion was put and carried, Crs Richmond and Coley voting against it.