BASKIN ZEPHYRS BLOW !

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 20 April 1916, Page 5

BASKIN ZEPHYRS BLOW !

MORE COUNCIL AMENITIES.

SCARIFYING UP-TO-OATE.

THE ENGINEER’S TROUBLESI At yesterday’s meeting of the Stratford County Council, Cr Baskin brought up the matter of the Engineer’s use of the Council’s car for pleasure riding on Sundays. There was ' an account on the table for the repair of* one of the front axles of the car, which broke one Sunday recently while the Engineer was driving to Cr Hathaway’s residence to discuss matters appertaining to the Council. | The Chairman said that the Enj gineer was driving to his place to discuss Council matters when the axle broke. Cr Baskin said he had often been ' asked if the car was used for pleasure. | . Various Councillors stated that they been in the car on Sundays inspecting work. The Chairman said he was not , aware the car was used for pleasure, j £*r Baskin said he had seen the car on the Opunake Road- one Silnday, arid the occupants included the Engineer’s friend Mr (Cr) Smith. —

(Laughter). ■ After the hilarity at this style of* expressing the position had subsided, Or. Smith said he had been ‘in the . car, but he had to “take a back seat,” and was only “hanging on.” A Councillor: You should not listen to “d” lies. Cr Smith said those little interjections were getting intolerable. One could not rise to speak without bringing forth an interjection. He was one of the Councillors who supported the resolution re purchasing a car. He had examined a few; of the accounts in connection with the cal’, and if all were, compiled, it would amount to near enough to mrjr another car. It was a big mistake M shed on private property. If ho or any other Councillor wished ,tQ ; J n (v.f spect the car, he would^h^.v-^ ( pass on private property, j>rXvM -„v.efJ i The Chairman reminded Or Smith that he>;^,eslyvotpd}fon k jtj :^t(v ICr Smith replied that the sooner tpey shifted the building on to the Council’s property., the better.. H« 1 said the Council’s machinery was* ■ housed on the Council’s ground. Ninetenths of the ratepayers; said the I speaker, argeed with him ,on this

matter. ; j Cr Christoffel said it would bo a big mistake if they did not allow the Engineer to have the car at his residence where he could look after ft. If they took it .away it' meant they would have to house it in a garage. The csr had to be oiled and attended to, and this could bo done better at 1 1 me tr&s»?Ta ,^'ariaißW' that suj|p|g continualf hiid .iiWfit and he%td#l-if he had -given the« Council fair service. He said there, were nine councillors on the Council, and seven sided with the Engineer. The pin-pricking should be discbn- ■ tinued. If they were dissatisfied with ■ the Engineer’s services they should J bring down a resolution asking for his dismissal! Cr Smith: You will get that soon enough. The Chairman said it would coat

about £IOO or more to procure a new man. An old councillor who spoke to him the other day said r it was disgraceful the way the Engineer was treated. They would not get an engineer to stay, and they had to realise that the engineer would not stand the nagging all the time. He did not know the car was used for pleasure. He had not been pleasure-riding himself in it. He knew . the Engineer went about his work on Sundays in the car. The whole thing amounted to very little. The-axle broke'.while the car was on good road. It may have been strained on the bad road. A Councillor said no man could do justice if he had to go around the County on horseback. The Engineer could not get around even on a motor cycle, it would require the services of two men. Cr. Smith said when the engineer was engaged he (the speaker) understood that he should travel a certain amount on a motor cycle. The Chairman said the motor cycle was only to be used until a car was procured. Cr. Christoffel said in regard to complaints he had never heard any and only two councillors had. If they |heard a word, they would make it injto a story. He did not know of any |other councillors who had heard complaints. Cr. Coleman said he had only heard good of the engineer. If the engineer did go out for pleasure, he would ■have t ( o travel some distance over the Stratford County roads and the more he travelled over the roads the better. He was thoroughly ashamed of the .way the pinpricking was carried on at the Council’s table. A school committee meeting, which the members

were not supposed to be able to conduct properly, was better than. . Council meeting. If .councillors wer dissatisfied they should bring down resolution asking for the engineer’ dismissal and then they would knoi where they were. . *5 Cr. Walters said that this continue pin-pricking was getting on .his ves. Two of the councillors were always' getting at the engineer, ’ blit they had never found out anything grievous about him yet. • 1 The subject again cropped Up on in the afternoon’. Cr. Baskin protesting against the Council’s foreman Accusing him of saying things v aboul him at the Council’s table. He denied the charge, and the foreman tolc him that the engineer had told-him.-: Cr. Baskin gave notice of -motali for next meeting: “That the service: of the engineer.be dispensed with.”', Cr. Cliistoffel: Well, I intended tou move a motion to-day, but I will give! notice of motion; “That the Council! take into consideration at- its nex<2 meeting the increasing of the engi-l neer’s salary.” - ; 'r ; ■’ " |