TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, 2 November 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor ('A .L. Arrowsmith, Esq.), Crs., Wrightson, Champion, Turnbull, Joblin, Reid and I •Dashwood. Before proceeding with the business, His Worship the. Mayor said he would like to refer shortly to the Prime Minister's telegram, received that day, and that the Council should; put on record a resolution expressing the gratification of the town on the splendid news they had received. He therefore moved: "That this meeting of the Taihape Borough Council place on record Taihape's gratification at the splendid news conveyed in the Prime Minister's telegram which was read at the public meeting to-day, and its sympathy with the relatives of those who gave their lives in the struggle with the Turk, and thereby assisted to make to-day's news possible.

Owing to the bad condition of Matarcad Road alleged to be caused by excessively weighted vehicles, the borough solicitor is to .be instructed to take such steps as he may deem advisable in the matter.

Thirty-seven applications were received for the position of workingforeman to the Council. These applications had been considered by the Works Committee, who, after considering their various qualifications, reduced the number to six, the names of whom they submitted to the Council for a final selection. After careful consideration the Council decided to appoint Mr, James Jamieson, at present foreman and waterworks engineer to the Waitara. Borough Council, subject to his being able to take up his duties at the end of the month. Failing this, the position is to be offered to Alfred Ellis, of Auckland.

About two hours and a-half were taken up in discussing the recommendations and estimates of Mr. E. A. Williams, consulting engineer, in connection with the proposed town improvement works, etc., the full text of which appears in another column. The Electric Light, and Waterworks Committee reported that the resignation of Mr. G. Dunn, as acting electrical engineer had been received. After the Town Clerk had had a personal interview with Mr. Dunn, who refused to reconsider his resignation, the Committee recommended that the Council invites applications for the position of engineer in full charge of electric lighting and pumping plants at a salary of £350 per annum; applicants to state their military standing and give such other information as may be required in the conditions of appointment and schedule of duties to be drawn up by His Worship the Mayor and Cr. Wrightson. Cr Joblin asked what was the position of Mr.. Burgess, their engineer, who was on active service.

The Mayor explained that he was on leave.

Cr. Wrightson said Mr. Burgis, on applying for leave, said he had made all arrangements to carry on the work during his absence,-but these arrangements had now fallen, to the ground. It was not possible to procure an engineer to fill the position temporarily. He was of opinion the Council would not get a single application. The Mayor said there was a lot of valuable machinery belonging to the Borough, and now owing to Mr. Dunn's resignation this would be left to young men who had not, nor claimed to have the ability to.'-3b ok after it. It was necessary to appoint a competent man. It was their intention to rescind the resolution passed by the Council with Tegard to Mr. Burgis. He regretted this extremely, but there was no other course open to the Council

Cr. Joblin said only the very special circumstances in which the Council was placed drove them to dispense with the services of a servant who was fighting for his country. The Mayor said that was so.

The Town Clerk, in answer to a question, said Mr. Dunn would be leaving on November 20th. The recommendation of the "Works Committee was adopted. The general opinion of the Council was that the position was a very awkward one, and they could - take no othter actton. The Council then rose.