BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 286, 12 May 1915, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ENGINEER TO. BE APPOINTED. SALARY .C-iOO PER ANNUM. There were present at the adjourned Borough Council meeting lust evening his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. E. Wilson) and Crs. Maniiix, A. E. Syfces, C. H. liurgess, F. J. Hill, W. l'\ (Short, A. H. Johnstone, >S. J. Smith, J. W. llavdvn, L. M. Monteath, A. E. Watkins, and J". S. S. Medley. The Mayor, in opening the meeting, said the only business was to consider tlie filling of the position of borough engineer, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. fcikilrop. He moved that applications be caled for the position of borough engineer at a salary of iJaUO per annum.

Cr. Medley seconded, but suggested that the salary be not advertised, applicants to bo requested to state the salary they required. Cr. Smith stated that very little important work was to be done by tin; Council for the next five months. The work authorised in connection with the .142,000 loan would not be proceeded with until after the spring, and the plans of such proposed works had already been prepared by the engineer. The Mayor had stated that in the event of the new loan being carried he had hoped that the Council would be able to proceed with the work of metaliing the tram route. There was, however, the aspect to be considered that they had not got the necessary metal, nor could it be secured at this time of the year. In the matter of metal local contractors were not looking for work, but he had received an oll'er by a contractor to supply all the metal required by the Council from year to year at a price of 4s per yard in the bins. In view of this he suggested that Mr. Skitrop's services be continued until ho left the district, or, in the event of his leaving at once, that the aid of a local engineer ue called in from time to time as necessary, which, he considered, would efVejt a saving of about £l5O in the next five months, Cr. Hayden moved as an amendment that a borough engineer be appointed at a salary not exceeding £40!) per annum. It would bo criminal to leave the work of the borough in the hands of an unqualified man. Cr. Sykes seconded. Having received the present engineer's resignation, why should they not proceed to appoint an- j other man? £4OO was quite sufiieientj to pay for an engineer. j The Mayor withdrew his original mo- j tion. J

Cr. Moneath then moved that applications be called for the position of borough engineer, applicants to state the salary they required, and applications to close a month from date. Cr. Watkins seconded* the amendment which was supported by Cr. Medley.

C'r. Johnstone said he considered It most unbusinesslike not to advertise the salary they would pay. They should get an engineer as soon as possible. Cr. Sykes supported the motion. The' Mayor said although there was no important work to be carried out for a few months he thought that nearly all the councillors agreed that an engineer shou'd be appointed at once. It would not be fair to ask the foreman to do the work for a time. With regard to the salary to be offered £4OO to £;il)0 was a reasonable salary. The amendment 011 being put was lost by nine votes to three, and the motion was subsequently carried without a dissentient.

Jn answer to'Cr. Mannix the Mayor said that unless there was a motion that the appointment be advertised outside the Dominion they would not do so. On the motion of Cr. Short, seconded by Cr. Sykes, it was decided not to advertise the position outside the Dominion.

His Worship then moved that the Mayor, chairman of the Works Committee, and Cr. Monteath be appointed a committee to advertise the position. Cr. Burgess seconded the motion, which was carried.