FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1999, 5 July 1919, Page 3

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL.MEETING,

TOWN CLERK’S RESIGNATION,

A special meeting; of the Borough Council was held on Thursday evening to deal with the resignation of the Town Clerk. _ There were present: The Mayor (Mr J. Chrystall) and Crs. Coley, Thompson, MeMurray, Rand, Parkin, Bryant, Walker, and Hannah.

The Mayor read a letter from the Town Clerk, dated July Ist, tendering his resignation, to take effect one month from date. Mr Waters stated it was his intention to enter into practice as a public accountant in another town.

Cr. Walker said that it was quite a surprise to him when he heard that the Town Cleric had resigned. No doubt Mr Waters- was doing what he considered best in bis own interests, and they could not blame him for trying to better himself.

■Cr Coley said the resignation was no surprise to him, as he could see it coming twelve months ago. Cr" Walker moved that the resignation be accepted, and in doing so took the opportunity of wishing Sir Waters every success in his new venture.

€r Thompson, in seconding the motion, said that lie regretted Mr Waters was leaving the Council. His work had been very satisfactory, and lie considered they were losing the services of a good servant. Cr Bryant said he was sorry the Town Clerk was leaving, as his work had been satisfactory. He hoped they would be successful in getting a man to carry out the duties as well as Mr Waters had done. Cr MeMurray congratulated Mr Waters on striking out on his own, and wished-him every success in his new venture. Cr. Coley asked if Councillors thought the Town Clerk had treated the Council as he should have done. The gas accounts wore supposed to he collected every month, hut this was not done in some eases. The works were not paying, but it was running had debts. The Council should also know if all the rates had been collected. The Mayor said that Mr Waters had been Town Clerk for three years, and during the time ho was in the office, he had carried out his duties faithfully. On the other hand, the Council had treated him most generously, and he did not think Mr 'Waters would ever find foster parents like the Foxton City Fathers. They had really .paid him £5 10s 0d a week to look for another job. However, the Mayor said he wished Mr Waters every success in the future. Cr Coley said that the Town Clerk, at last meeting, was granted a week’s leave, but he did not get hack to the office until a day later. He would like to know also whether the Town Clerk visited Levin on Wednesday on Council business or on his own business.

The Town Clerk said that he did not intend to answer any questions from Cr Coley, hut if other Councillors wished it he would ho pleased to answer.

Cr Me Murray said he thought it was a fair question, and the Town Clerk said that.he went to Levin to see some of his relatives who had a bereavement in the family, and 'was absent from Foxton about two hours, which included lunch hour. The motion was then put and carried.

Mr Waters thanked Councillors for the good wishes expressed, and said that he was really sorry to leave the Council, but as there was no scope for advancement here he had decided to open out on his own account. His only reason for resigning was to try and better his position. When he went north on leave he had no intention of resigning his position, but a proposition was put to him at Paeroa, and after considering same he had come to the conclusion that he could do better for himself there than by remaining in Foxton. He did not finally decide to tender his resignation until Saturday last. In reference to the remarks of Cr Coley, he said that that Councillor was inclined to harrass employees, and not assist them. Since he had been in Foxton there had been no bad debts in connection with the gas works, except in two cases, which the Council knew about. In one case the Council refused to act on his suggestion,, but had they done so he believed the account, would have been paid by now. The other case was in connection with a deceased estate. All the rates, with the exception-of those on three properties in connection with which there were disputes as to ownership, bad been paid. Legal proceedings were in motion in connection with these. He concluded by again thanking Councillors for their kind expressions, and wished them every success in the future. The question of inviting applications for the position of Town Clerk was then considered. Cr Coley said he thought they should make provision for having a permanent assistant in the office. It was necessary to have the office open continuously from 10 a.m.. until 4 p.m., and this could not be done unless there was an assistant in the office. The Mayor said that in the past it had been the practice of the Council, when calling applications for the position of Town Clerk, to start the salary below the maximum intended to be paid until the abilities of the officer appointed were ascertained. There were a-number of boroughs ■where-the whole of the work was done by the Town Clerk without assistance, but he thought it would be wise to continue the services of the assistant for a couple of months.

and they could then review the position and see if it was necessary to have permanent assistance. Cr Walker agreed .tjiat.it would be advisable to have an assistant.

- Cr MeMurray suggested that they should, other things being equal, give preference to returned soldiers. Cr Thompson agreed that preference should be given to returned soldiers. He also agreed with -the Mayor’s suggestion in.reference to the assistant.

It was decided, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Coley, that applications be invited for the position of Town Clerk and Borough Treasurer, at a salary of £250 per annum, and that the assistant be engaged for a further period of two months, • when the position re assistant will be again reviewed; qualifications being equal, a returned soldier to have preference. Applications to close at 4 p.m. on July 14th.