SANITARY MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1090, 29 April 1913, Page 3

SANITARY MATTERS.

BOROUGH EMPLOYEE RESIGNS,

At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from Mr E- W. Gardes,, resigning bis position as nightman as from May 19th. When the letter was read, Cr Speirs asked what the conditions of employment were, and what notice was required to be given.

The Town Clerk said that a month’s notice on either side would cancel the agreement between the Council and the nightman. He would take it that the month would count from the beginning of the month to the end, Cr Speirs then moved, and Cr Adams seconded, that the resignation of F. W. Gardes be accepted as from May 31st, and that applications for the position of nightman be invited.

Cr Richmond suggested inviting tenders for ths position. He considered the Council was paying far too much for the work. During Mr Gardes' absence another man did the work for 36s a week less.

Cr Speirs said that previous to Mr Gardes being appointed only one man had carried out the work in a - satisfactory manner, and when he left he said the pay was not sufficient. It was a work that should be well paid for, and he would not like to. see any reduction made in the wages, Cr Richmond said that apparently Mr Gardes was ot opinion that £4 a week was enough for the job, as that was all he paid the man that relieved him during his absence.

At this stage Crs Richmond aul Hannah asked for permission to leave the table, as they had another meeting, and this was granted. Cr Whibley said he had a few words to say on the matter, and would like the two Councillors in question to hear his remarks. He said he was surprised that two Councillors who professed to be Labour men should see fit to suggest tenders for .the work, a system that was going to reduce wages. The job in question was one he would not have at twice the money, and the wages should certainly not be reduced. He couldn’t understand any man professing to have the interests ot Labour at heart wanting to have tenders called, as the contract system was the wages men’s worst enemy. One man was tendering against the other, and the natural consequence was a tendency to do the work at a cheaper rate. If a man was not well paid, the inclination would be to slum the work. He was totally opposed to the contract system, particularly on corporation works, and would therefore oppose the suggestion that tenders should be invited in this case.

Cr Richmond : If I had time I could reply to you, Cr Whibley. Cr'Hannah protested that he had not said anything about tenders being invited, and considered that Cr Whibley was out of order.

Cr Whibley said that at a previous! • meeting Cr Hannah had suggested that tedders be called for the work in question. Cr Coley said he would like to see a ■ price put on the job. He didn’t see how they could reduce the wages, as the work was increasing every year. There had been no complaints since Mr Gardes had been appointed to the position, and if another ■ man carried out the duties as well as he had done he would be fully entitled to the £5 los a week.

Cr Adams said that the wages of the nightman had been fixed previously, and he considered it was a ridiculous proceeding to talk about altering same at the Council’s last meeting. ( The Mayor signified his intention of supporting the motion which, on being put, was carried.