HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 12 November 1920, Page 4

HUTT COUNTY COUNCIL.

ENGINE-DRIVER'S REPORT. At the Ilutt County Council meeting 'on Tuesday last the enginedriver's report was read and adopted. It was pointed out that thefts of tools had occurred, svhile councillors generally said thefts were prevalent in various parts of the couuty, and the matter was considered serious. The inspector said boxes uero useless, as they were broken open, and even ntiO box with explosives in it had been interfered with. Cr. Barclay said the attention of the police should be called to the matter. The Chairman said he had seen barrows left on the road in dangerous positions, and he himself had put them to the side of the road. Cr. Welch said the engine-driver's jeport was getting worse and wor;e, and the metal crushed was getting less and less, and it was time to go into the machinery question. He was not blaming the engine-driver. Touching on the theft of tccls he advocated solid boxes for, their ;;tcrage. This was supported by Cr. Howell, who said the annual loss of tool? was a big one. As for the crushing, he knew the driver was handicapped Vy the want of men. The plant was no worse now than it was some time ago. Cr. Earelay did not fell ill-disposed towards the driver, but favoured shutting down the plant unless it did more work. Cr. Howell asked that no drastic action be taken, and that the matter be referred to the incoming Council. When the machine was not in use it was being cleaned and overhauled. Cr. Barclay asked that the cost ef crushing for the last three months be supplied for next meeting. The Chairman if the Council went on "haggling" it would get no men to work. Cr. Whiternan suggested the inspector speak to workmen for being careless with their tools, but Cr. Howell said this did not apply to all workmen. , One man in his riding was most care- ! ful, while Cr. Whiteman agreed that, he knew-some who acted similarly— ! otber-s. however, were rery careless. - ;