COMMENT BY FIRE SUPERINTENDENT

Southland Times, Issue 24833, 27 August 1942, Page 4

COMMENT BY FIRE SUPERINTENDENT

Disapproval Expressed By Board Disapproval of comment by the superintendent (Mr J. Philp) in a report was expressed at a meeting of the Livercargill Fire Board yesterday. The superintendent submitted a list of names of 12 auxiliary firemen recommended for engagement under the new conditions. He added that he had not recommended one fireman because of the opinion expressed of him by Mr R. T. Parsons, a member of the board, but he wanted it distinctly understood that the fireman concerned had shown a keenness since joining the auxiliary staff not previously shown by other members. He was also recommended by all the officers of the brigade. The chairman (Mr W. G. Tait) said he disapproved of the superintendent’s comment. A member of the board had every right to give his opinion about an employee and he did not think the superintendent was justified in taking up the attitude he had done. Mr Parsons was not present to answer the superintendent. Mr A. Sharp expressed agreement with the chairman, and said he considered the superintendent had shown distinct weakness in the matter. The superintendent should have made his recommendations independently of the opinion of members of the board and left it to the board to make the appointments. 4 In the absence of both the superintendent and Mr Parsons it was decided to hold over the matter until the next meeting.