PARKS APPOINTMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 921, 14 March 1930, Page 1

PARKS APPOINTMENT

CITY SEEKS TO FILL VACANCY TEMPORARY PLACING After consideration of an appointment to the position of Parks Superintendent, in the place of Mr. T. E. Pearson, who died on January 17, the City Council has placed Mr. T. S. Aldridge, superintendent at the* Zoological Park as acting officer until October 1. The recommendation regarding tlie appointment came to the council last evening from the Parks Committee. It is also the committee’s intention to discuss further a permanent appointment and the whole subject of the control of parks, reserves, cemeteries and the Zoological Park. Cr. A. J. Entrican, the DeputyMayor, disagreed with the recommendation and advanced an amendment to refer the question for further report from the committee, with consideration of whether there was an officer in the service competent to take the position. In seconding the amendment, Cr. Ellen Melville stressed the need for having a Parks Superintendent of undoubted ability. She thought Mr. Aldridge was not being placed in a fair position. In the event of reorganisation, a report would be expected from the head of the department' and only a permanent officer would consider himself in the position to make recommendations. Cr. M. J. Coyle thought the idea of the recommendation was simply to try Mr. Aldridge in the position. Cr. Melville strongly objected to the holding out of a “false hope” to an employee. The committee, in any case, should have a complete knowledge of the ability, not of Mr. Aldridge alone, but of any officer who could be connected with the appointment. On the defeat of the amendment, Cr. ,T. Dempsey advanced an amendment to make the temporary appointment without a fixed date. His amendment and another by Cr. J. R. Lundon to afford member&of the staff opportunity to apply were .defeated and the recommendation was passed.