RIVER BOARD'S CLERK.

Otaki Mail, 9 February 1923, Page 3

RIVER BOARD'S CLERK.

APPOINTMENT OBJECTED TO, At the Otaki Borough Council meeting last night Air G. H. Harper, chairman of the newly-formed River Board, made application for the use of the Borough chambers, adding that the Board intended to meet once a month. He .'raid it would be convenient to have the Council's offices, especially as the Board had had the good fortune to secure the Council's clerk. The Board's position, he also stated, was, from a financial point of view, not a rosy one. Cr. Kilsby considered it would be no hardship to the Council to grant (he request, while Cr. Taylor thought likewise. He considered the River Board should have been in vogue 20 years ago. At this stage Mr Harper withdrew. The Mayor said he considered the Board should pay some rental, especially as it would benefit by the use of the telephone, strong-room, etc., while the Council's staff would be made use of. He had suggested to Mr Harper that the Board pay 10s weekly. Cr. Carkeek agreed a rental should be paid, but considered 10s too high. Cr. Cockrell said he thought the | Board might be granted the room once monthly, yet did not see why the offices should be secured. If the Council's staff was going to serve the River Board the rental should be 10s to £l.

Cr. Broadway said ratepayers should Lave the use of the room, but if they wanted the use of the strongroom and telephone they should pay. The question of clerkship was then raised and the Mayor pointed out thai. Mr Harper had approached Mr. Davies and ashed if lie. was prepared to accept the position. Mr Da vies agreed to do so, subject to the approval of the Council. The duties, said the. Mayor, would not be very onerous, while the appointment would mean that the Council would be better served. Cr. Broadway said the Clerk's time would be occupied by the Board, therefore a rental should be charged. He considered if Mr Davies was allowed to accept the position trouble would be ftirred up by some ratepayers. The Mayor again pointed out that the Council would Venefit by Mr Davies' appointment. Cr. Eilsby said when he suggested the room should be given free he had not taken into consideration that lighting, telephone, and the strong-room would be free. Further, he was inclined to think that Mr Davies had his hands full already with the waterworks, and he preferred that Mr Davies not accept the position. The Mayor said it was hardly a failthing to erpect Mr Davies to devote his ovenings to the Council and then be Tefusod permission to accept a little outside work. He said if the appoint- I ment was +n be detrimental to the J .Council b<* would vote against ir f Cr. Tayior said he and Cr. Cockrell had previously agreed that :M r Davies had his hands fnih and. h» thought iv TTOuId be better if someone els? took on the position. Or. Cockrell agreed, and emphasised the fact that there would be objection from a certain section if the appointment was allowed to stand. The Mayor suggested a compromise. He thought Mr Davies should be allowed to accept the position, then if it 17a? found the duties interfered with

the Council's work to terminate the arrangement. Cr. Cockrell objected, and said the Clerk already had a busy time ahead. The Mayor then moved that Mr DaVies be allowed to accept the position., {jttt the motion lapsed for want of a eTeondtir. Beverting to the rental it wa* decid- y j&d to charge 09 weekly.