MATAMATA COUNTY STAFF.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 132, 13 May 1926, Page 4

MATAMATA COUNTY STAFF.

MEMBERS OVERBURDENED.

Night and Sunday Work. Clerical Assistance Needed. An extraordinary state of affairs in regard to the work of the staff of the Matamata County Council office was brought under notice by Cr. E. J. Darby at the monthly meeting of the council at Tirau on Friday. Cr. Darbysaid that the clerk (Mr. Barton) and his assistant (Mr. Lucas), the engineer (Mr. M. E. Fitzgerald) and his assistant (Mr. Mackay), had for months past been working overtime at night, and Mr. Barton had been back at office every day since he had taken the position. The staff was overburdened with clerical duties. The engineers were unable to get out as much as they would like to, because they had to remain at the office doing- clerical work in connection with their department, which could well be done by an assistant typist. He moved that assistance be procured. The engineer and the clerk, in answer to questions, stated that Cr. Darby had not exaggerated the position. Mr. Barton said he would not mind the over work if he were getting ahead of it, but he was not catching up. It was agreed to get a junior clerk. THE ADVISORY CLERK. Cr. Darby considered that in view of the necessity to employ further clerical assistance at the county office, it was incumbent upon the council to terminate the services of the advisory clerk (Mr. Hyman Lewis) by giving hm six months’ notice, mutually agreed upon when Mr. Lewis terminated his services as chief clerk, upon which occasion he had consented to remain with the council for some time in an advisory capacity, while the big loan scheme was being put into operation, and while the new clerk was making himself acquainted with the multifarious transactions of the office. Cr. K. S. Cox seconded, and Cr. W. H. Allen supported, all three paying high tributes to Mr. Lewis’ ability and long and faithful service to the council and the ratepayers. The chairman (Cr. J. W. Anderson) and Ci-s. S. H. Judd, J. Pohlen and H. Rollett said they had hoped that the matter would be left until the new council took office. Mr. given the best part of his life in the service of the council, and his loyalty to the ratepayers’ interests, his wide knowledge of procedure, his capable handling oi* the transactions relative to the £201,000 loan proposal, and many other matters of major importance, had earned for him a place of high esteem as a officer of the council. Had Mr. Lewis been able to see his way clear to move from Cambridge to 1 irau, there would not have been any vacancy. However, Mr. Lewis had the education of his children to consider, and other interests, and could not agree to move to Tirau when ,the location of the county office was transferred to that centre. The chairman said he would rather not have had the matter come up that clay, but as it was bound to come up in the near future, if not settled at once, he would reluctantly support the motion. In doing- so, he would move that the council place on record its high appreciation of the long- and, valuable services rendered by Mr. Lewis during his many years of service as county clerk. Both motions were carried, the remarks of the chairman relative to the excellence of Mr. Lewis* services and qualifications meeting with unanimous endorsement.