THE BENEVOLENTT SOCIETY, AND ITS SECRETARY'S SALARY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 929, 8 April 1879, Page 2

THE BENEVOLENTT SOCIETY, AND ITS SECRETARY'S SALARY.

In speaking to his motion to rescind the resolution passed at a previous meeting, granting to Mr. Hardy, Secretary of the Oamaru Benevolent Society, an increase of Llo per annum, Mr. Fleming said that he felt a considerable amount of diffidence in rising to speak on this occasion, especially when reminded in the public prints that he stood in such a very small minority.. But although he stood alone in this matter, he would single-handed argue the point on its merits, and leave the result to the good sense of this meeting, to vote "Aye" or " No" according to the facts of the case. Mr. Fleming then went on to say that the very nature of the Society representedby this Committee was against the motion carried at a former meeting. The whole surroundings of such an institution said to the management, in very plain terms, "Be careful, be j ust, and generous.'' Mr. Fleming contended that these were the terms upon which gentlemen on the Committee were elected. They promised the public that they would administer the funds in a just manner, and a generous spirit. The salary, and all other details, were fixed by the Committee, and it was for them to elect a Secretary at the smallest salary consistent with efficiency. The least departure from the spirit of this principle was an infringement of the rights of the public. The Society has had Mr. Church as Secretary, at a salary which Mr. Church then thought inadequate ; Mr. Richmond was next appointed, but he did not work long in the capacity of Secretary; Mr. Hardy was next elected, at a salary of L 25, and continued to be Secretary at that salary for at least two and a half years. His duties had not perceptibly increased, and, without any previous notice, without any enquiry whatsoever, the Committee voted an additional Llo. Mr. Fleming went on to say that he believed Mr. Hardy charged for the office, but, after enquiry, he withdrew this statement. Mr. Fleming then said that there was a growing tendency in this town to vote away public moneys to servants acting under Committees, which should be stopped at once. The Hospital Committee, at their last meeting of 1878, voted the sum of L2O as a donation to the warder for the faithful manner in which that servant performed the duties during the year. This was an illegal act, and they would find the same gentleman seconding the motion on this occasion for an increase of salary that seconded the motion at that meeting of the Hospital Committee. There were men very fond of popularity, and men very generous and of a liberal spirit, but, as a rule, people would find that men were more generous and of a more liberal spirit when they'dispensed, not their own funds, but the funds of the public. This spirit, like charity, should C'lmniuiiee at home. Men may do what tiioy like-wiili thoir own, but they cannot do what t:;oy like with public money. _ Wi-iir, for instance, would they I'siuk of our clerks if they were ro come up with a demand for increased salaries every time that a little push arises in the office. Would we not at once put a stop to such demands by there and then giving them their walking ticket 1 The Committee should act in the very same manner towards its clerk as they would act in their private capacity, with this difference, that they should be more careful because they had to deal with a trust fund. Mr. Fleming concluded by saying that these were not the days for increasing salaries. Men had enough to do to tide over affairs, without subscribing to any fund whatsoever, and the public could not be expected to quietly look on while a very large proportion of the subscriptions were swallowed in salaries. When Mr. Fleming had finished speaking on the motion, Mr. Kerr asked the Chairman if Mr. Hesketh's salary was not raised by last year's Committee. The Chairman —I believe it was.

Mr, Allen, in seconding the motion, said that he believed the Committee had acted illegally in raising Mr. Hesketh's salary ; but Mr. Hesketh's case was totally different from the Secretary's, inasmuch as it was far easier to obtain a Secretary than to obtain a person to perform the functions of Mr. Hesketh's office ; and, besides, Mr. Hesketh previously received part of his salary from the Society and part from the Government, so that the two cases were not identical. At that time, also, Mr. Hesketh resigned, and it was only, after a good deal of discussion that he received his present appointment at an increased salary. However, he did not justify the action of the Committee in raising Mr. Hesketh's salary. Mr. Greenfield said that he came to the meeting prepared to vote against the motion, but after hearing the arguments put forth by Mr. Fleming, and carefully weighing all the circumstances in his own mind, he would decidedly vote for the motion before the meeting.

Mr. Kerr supported the former resolution, on the grounds that if the previous Committee was justified in raising the salary of Mr. Hesketh, this Committee was justified in raising the salary of Mr. Hardy, and that Mr. Hardy's work had been increased since the rate of his salary was fixed. He viewed the action of the previous Committee as a precedent for the guidance of the Society. Mr. Ronayne followed, and said that he believed that according to the rules the Committee had not the power to raise the Secretary's salary, as it was distinctly laid down that the salary should be fixed before election. He said further that two blacks would never make a white, and, if the Committee's action in raising Mr. Hesketh's salary was wrong, it could not be urged as a reason for raising the salary of Mr. Hardy, and should not be taken as a precedent. Mr. Hassell said that when on a previous occasion he supported the motion having for its object the raising of the salary of Mr. Hardy, he had no knowledge of the rule referred to by Mr. Ronayne ; and that he had no desire to perpetuate an error. If it could be shown that a mistake had been made he would be willing to support the present motion. Mr. Gibbs said that he voted for the increase of the Secretary's salary on the ground that the work had increased. Again, he considered that the Secretary's office should be situated in the centre of the town, in order that it might be convenient to business men who were members of Committee, He believed Mr. Hardy's office was well suited for the Society's purposes, and that additional remuneration should be given to Mr. Hardy. Again, the Benevolent Society's work was of such a nature that it required a man to be always in the office ; and, if Mr. Hardy could not be present hiniself he had to find a substitute.

Mr. M'Farlane opposed the motion, as he believed that the Committee had the power to raise the salary of any officer, and that the rule did not apply. He also believed that the Secretary's work had increased. He thought that Mr. Fleming's cpnduct in remarking that Mr. Hardy charged rent for the office was altogether ungentlemanly. Mr. . Fleming replied to the several speakers-against the motion, and, on the motion being put to the meeting, 5 voted for and 5 against it. The Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the motion, and it was carried.