BOROUGH FOREMAN'S DISMISSAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 117, 16 June 1909, Page 4

BOROUGH FOREMAN'S DISMISSAL.

Till: MAVOIt'S ACTION API'IIoVKU The BorougJi Council >peul ait irregular ha.lf-h'Mir on Monday night in m--the borougiii foreman. Mr. W. It. Gail, who had taken up the position of working foreman on Ist May. and received from the engineer's ollke on 2tst May a month's notice of dismissal, wrote requesting the Council to inform him ol the reason of this action, for no complaint had been made to him of the manner in which he was carrying out his -duties, and no warning given. II any charges had been made against him. he would like to be able to refute ihem. ff, on the other hand, there were no charges against him, he thought tae Council ought to say ho specifically, so that no inference derogatory might arise as a result of the Mayor's action. The Mayor explained brieily that lie had observed the ne\v foreman for three weeks, and had never seen liiiu doing any work. lie came to the conclusion that i. • man Wouldn't "lit the bill/ 1 and a conversation with the engineer had continued him in that opinion. As the Council meeting was some weeks oil"; and he sa'W no' reason why the Council should go on needlessly paying out money, he thought he mitriit just as well dispense with his services right away. The members of the executive whom he consulted confirmed that view, and lie had notice of dismissal forwarded to him.

Cr. Hooker said that the old Council had wasted time and money in appointing the foreman. The Council had had a foreman, and they sacked him. Three months later they appointed another, ami now they dispensed with his services, too. Cr. Browne said that at the proper time lie intended to enter a protest against the stand taken by t'he Mayor in this matter. Cr. Doekrill wanted to know in what :way Mr. Gall had failed in his duties. The Mayor said the engineer would j explain.

Mr. Kendall stated that he had -been lather "surprised that lie should have been called upon to give the foreman notice, lie thoug'iit it should have come from the Town Clerk's ollice, from which he received his appointment. The To'wn Clerk said he had adopted this course a* a matter of courtesy to the borough engineer, in whose department the foreman was working.

O. Honker said that hundreds of people were askiiifr wily tilip man Imd l)ee-,i riisclmrgcri, They seemed to suspect Uiat there was something at the back of it all.

CY. Bellringor said the ratepayeis wore to bo congratulated on having as

Mayor ami as chairman of the Works Committee a man who had backbone

enough to discharge a man when lie isaw tihat the Council was not fretting value for money paid. What would have been gained .liv deferring the matter? IV. \Ve>'t said the trouble was that the Council had advertised for a working overseer, hut the man appointed had never been seen "with his coat off since ho came here. Cr. Ilooker: That can't bo the reason, The engineer could have told iiim to take his coat off. In answer to the Mayor. | The engineer «aid that personally ho approved the Mayor's action. At the same time, ho hadn't expected it quite so quickly. The Mayor: Yes; and since it wa* done you are .more satisfied llura ever. Cr. Bellringer des'ired to make it clear that the man who had been recommendid bv the Works Committee had not boon appointed by the Council. At a >lator stage. Cr. Browne had his vote recorded again*t a resolution confirming the Mayor's action, on the ground that a dangerous precedent was established, and if the Mayor was lo have this power no employee of the Council had live minutes' secure tenure of his office. The Mayor's action was approved, Cr. Urowne alone dissenting.