HALL MANAGER AND OPERATOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1043, 14 May 1912, Page 3

HALL MANAGER AND OPERATOR.

SOME MISUNDERSTANDING

At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from Mr H. McArtney, asking for an explanation of his position in connection with the engine-room and operating cabinet at the Coronation Hall. When appointed to the position of engineer and operator he understood he was to work under a Hall Committee, but since then Mr Fraser had been appointed manager, but he had received no notification from the Council that Mr Fraser was to control him, which he was now doing. He would prefer to work under a Hall Committee or the Council and asked for an explanation of the position as to whom he was to look to as his superior. The Mayor said until the above letter was received he was not aware that there was any misunderstanding. As lor a Hall Committee controlling Mr McArtney, he did not think that was the intention of the Council at all. The Hall Committee was set up during the buildiug of the Hall for the purpose of attending to any details in connection therewith. When Mr Fraser was appointed manager it was understood by the Council that he was in full charge of the Hall. No doubt when Mr McArtney had had the position fully explained it would be quite satisfactory to him. He moved that Mr McArtuey’s letter be acknowledged, and in reply the Council wish to point out that the manager has been appointed to the sole control of the Hall and such matters as are referred to in his letter, and that in future he will take any instructions from him, and thus any misunderstanding will be avoided.

Cr Coley seconded the motion

Cr Stewart said that he believed there had been a good deal of friction owing to a misunderstanding. Mr McArtney was an expert in running picture shows, whilst the manager did not claim to have any mechanical knowledge in connection wi.u ...i.ne. Mr McArtney

was apparently under the impression that Mr Fraser wished to interfere with his work and he was therefore unable to get along satisfactorily. He considered that the duties of both officers should be defined. Mr McArtney should have control of the machinery and Mr .Fraser be iu charge of the finances, etc. Mr McArtney, who was iu attendance, was asked to state his charges and said that the main trouble was that he did not feel that he had the same freedom iu connection with the operating that was enjoyed by other operators. Only recently Mr Fraser had put two “no admittance” cards on the door of the cabinet and on one occasion he had told him to start the engine earlier than it was his practice to do. The “no admittance” notices were put on the door because he was teaching a young fellow operating. Previous to this Mr Fraser had told him that he would like to learn to operate. The whole trouble was that he felt he hadn’t the liberty that an operator should have.

Cr Richmond said that he had been informed, and chietly by Mr McArtney, that there had been a good deal of bother between Mr Fraser and Mr McArtney. Mr McArtney had told him that Mr Fraser was autocratic and bouncing. The speaker was of opinion that both were fairly hot tempered and would not agree together and before long it would be necessary to separate them. Mr Fraser, at the invitation of the Mayor, gave his version Gf the affair. He said it was a surprise to him to receive the letter. He had not known ol any dissatisfaction until the question of teaching Bradcock to operate was brought up. Mr McArtney had asked him if there was any objection to teaching Bradcock and he (Mr Fraser) said, ‘‘Why not teach me, I’m willing to learn.” Mr McArtney left the impression on his mind that he was willing to teach him. Subsequently the matter was talked over with the Mayor and he agreed that if anyone was to be taught it should be him (Mr Fraser). He told Mr McArtney what had taken place and he then said, ‘Tf that’s thecai the sooner I puli out the better.” He said he was going to get a little out of teaching Bradcock and also that he would now resign. He informed the Mayor of what had taken place and he instructed him to ring up Messrs Fuller and Sous to see if an operator could be obtained if necessary. He did so and was informed that an operator could be sent at two days’ notice. Mr Fraser said he also asked if it was usual to allow anyone else in the cabinet with the operator and was told it was not; and also that no smoking was allowed in the cabinet. Alter receiving this information the notices complained of were put on the door, Mr Fraser said he had never thought of interfering with Mr McArtney ! s work in connection with the engine or operating. On two occasions he had suggested that the engine Should be started earlier and that the doorkeepers should be asked to give him a hand if necessary rather than getting a man from the street.

Crs. Coley and Gibbs considered it was a correct thing to put the 4, n0 admittance” cards ou the door as it was not advisable to have people about machinery. Cr Greig aaid that he had every confidence in Mr Fraser as manager, and he had equal confidence in Mr McArtney as operator, but he recognised that it was necessary to have a head, and the manager should have full con-

trol. He thought if the duties of both were defined somewhat there would be no further trouble. Cr Carter considered the whole trouble arose t'uiougb a misunderstanding. All that Air McArtney wanted apparently was a definite statement of the position, and lie did not see any difficulty in nxing the matter up. Cr Speirs could not see any reason why the manager and operator should not work amiably together. From what he could see, he didn’t think Mr McArtney had anything to complain about. The Mayor said it was no doubt a good thing to have the whole affair ventilated. He thought the Councillors would agree that after all there was very little in the whole thing, it being more a misunderstanding than anything elseMr McArtney appeared to be under the impression that Mr Fraser had something against him, but he (the Mayor) knew that Mr Fraser had done all he could to assist Mr McArtney in every way. The manager had full charge of the Hall and everything in it, but he knew he was not an expert and would never interfere with the operating cabinet or engine room. He felt sure that Mr McArtney would now be satisfied, and he hoped there would be no more friction. The motion was carried.