THE NIGHTWATCHMAN.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 February 1918, Page 5

THE NIGHTWATCHMAN.

At the Borough Council meeting last Dight ,the question of appointing a nightfgtchman was brought up, when the Special Committee appointed to go into the matter with the Tradesmen's Association reported as follows: Your ' considered the question and received a deputation Taihape Tradesman's Association on the 28th January inst. After general discussion, and hearing the opinions advanced "by members of the deputation in reference to the matter, we recommend: That the Council take over the appointment, sole control and payment of, njghtwa'tchman. - That; . .She salary. be, fixed at £ls6'.per annum, payable fort-, nightly. Thei.duties .to, include those of riightwatchman, Town Hall custodian and electric, tety^s% o ss&s!ii The salary to be proportioned and charged as follows: £52 per annum. Town Hall department, £2O per annum electric light department. The balance to be paid out of general revenue. That- the Council install tell- ( tale clocks to be used as a cheek on the nightwatchman_ « Cr. Wrightson said with reference to the tell-tale . clocks, they had been informed that an Auckland firm could suppl^'the clocks for £3O. This price he considered, was quite beyond their means. In conversation with the Borough Electrical Engineer, the latter advised them not to procure these clocks, as he (the engineer) might possibly be able to fix some contrivance that would answer the purpose. The speaker thought the Council should en- - dcavour to instal something else at less cost.

Cr. Dashwood considered the remuneration offered for a nightwatchman was too small, especially considering the present cost of living, Cr. Wrightson looked at the employment of a •watchman in a different light. Uusually this kind of job was taken by a man who was past the age of strenuous toil. Cr. Dashwood moved that the report be amended by increasing the remun-

eration to £lB6. a year. Cr. Champiou thought the wages were rather less than the job was worth, and considered £llO per annum for the watchman alone was little

enough,

Cr. Turnbull was also of opinion the remuneration was on the low side. . * Cr. Wrightson said they were, going too strong with the ratepayers' money and it was time they called a. halt. The amendment was put and carried "Cr. Wrightson then moved a further/amendment that ■ the wages he fixgfcat £156 per annum with a bonus of £26 per annum, the bonus to obtain during the course of the war. The amendment was seconded pro forma, and lost on division. 1 Cr. Wrightson desired to have his vote recorded.

The report was amended by the substitution of •'•'£lß2" for "£156" per annum, and adopted.