THE LATE GAS MANAGER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2148, 6 July 1920, Page 2

THE LATE GAS MANAGER.

GRANT IN LIEU OF HOLIDAYS

At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from Mr Baildon, late gas manager, asking the Council to give favourable consideration to the question of granting him some remuneration in view of the fact that during the three years he had occupied the position of gas works manager he had only had 14 days holiday.

. Or. Coley moved, and Cr. Walker seconded, p'ro forma, that a grant equal to one month’s salary (£22), be made to Mr Baildon, in lieu of holidays he was entitled to. The mover said tha t Mr'baildon was entitled to something. He had carried out his duties in an exemplary manner, and had only taken a fortnight’s holiday during the whole period he way with the Council. His predecessor had been made a grant when he left the Council’s employ. The Mayor said that the previous manager had been a much under-; paid man. Cr. Thompson - said he would support the motion, as he did not think Mr Baildon had been an over-pa id

man. The Mayor Said that they were there as trustees for the ratepayers, and whilst he thought; they should give Mr Baildon something, a mouth’* pay was out of all proportion. Mr Baildon had been given five guineas for bis work in connection with fires, and be considered if they gave him a week’s pay it would he “just,” and a fortnight’s pay would he “generous.” They must consider the ratepayers. If they voted money away in this manner the price of gas would have to be further increased.

Cr. Thompson: I would like to vote the price of gas up a hit more.

The Mayor said that whilst admitting that Mr Baildon had been a satisfactory gas manager, it was not right to lie liberal to one man at the expense of the whole of the ratepayers.

Cr. Hunt said that apparently Mr Baildcm had not received the holidays duo to him during the time he was in the Council’s employ. The Mayor said that in. the agreeinent entered into between Mr Baildou and the Council there was no provision for holidays. Cr. McMurray asked if all the Council employees reeivcd holidays. It was only fair that they should all he put on the same basis. The Mayor said the roadmen did not get holidays outside the usual statutory ones, such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, etc.

Cr. Coley said the gas manager had to work on these days, and Sunda vs as well.

The Mayor said that I lie expenses of the works for wages alone were between £ll and £l2 per week. In Levin, with a much larger consumption, the whole of the work was done by the manager and stoker until recently.

Cr. Coley said that the Levin worlds were much more convenient to run than the 'Foxton works. As an amendment, the Mayor moved, and Cr. Bryant seconded, that a, fortnight’s pay lie granted, but this, on being put t o The meeting, was lost, the voting being: For, the Mayor and Crs. Bryant, Rand and Walker. Against, Crs Coley, Hunt, Thompson, McMurray, Pearson, and Parkin, The motion was then put and carried, the voting being the same, those who supported the amendment voting against the motion.