MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1211, 21 February 1914, Page 2

MUNICIPAL PICTURES.

OPERATOR’S RESIGNATION ACCEPTED.

FRESH APPLICATIONS INVITED.

At the special meeting of the Borough Council last night, Mr H. McArtney, caretaker and operator at the Catenation Hall, tendered his resignation, asking that he be relieved of his duties as from March nth, 1914. The Mayor moved, and Cr Coley seconded, that the resignation of Mr McArtney as caretaker and operator be accepted with regret, and that , the manager of the Town Hall be instructed to call for applications for the position of operator and caretaker, duties to be defined by the Town Hall Manager, at a salary of £4per week, to be in for a special meeting of the Council to be held on March and, and that same be advertised in Auckland and Wellington papers.

The Mayor said the operator would also get the house at the Hall rent free.

Cr Hendersou said he took it that the Council intended to appoint a married man. The Mayor: Oh, yes. Everything else being equal, a married man would get preference. Ct Coley said they wouldn’t take a bad married man in preference to a good single man. If a single man were appointed the assistant caretaker would be prepared to take the house. The Mayor said he took it that the Council intended to employ the assistant caretaker throughout the year. It was on this account he was moving a reduction in the salary from £4 7s to £4 per week. Cr Speirs considered the assistant caretaker should only be employed for six months. He should not be employed during the summer months, as there would be no work for him during that period. He thought they were over-paying the whole job. Cr Barber said he would support the motion. The assistant should be employed throughout the year. They had a good man in Mr Knewstubb, and they should endeavour to keep him. Cr Speirs considered that under the conditions proposed the man would be over-paid ; £3 10s per week would be sufficient for the job.

Cr Coley said he understood that the new operator would be expected to do all the work required at the Hall, outside of that done by the assistant. There would be no extras.

Cr Read supported the motion, which, on being put, was carried.