WORKERS DISMISSED.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1922, Page 4

WORKERS DISMISSED.

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL INCIDENT. TWO MEN TO GO. The matter of the recent dismissal of five workmen at the hydro-electric works was advanced a further stage 'at the meeting of the Borough Council last night. It will be Remembered that at the meeting of the Electric Light Committee, last Tuesday night, representatives of the General Laborers’ Union waited upon the committee,' when it was decided to recommend to the council that the three men convicted of a breach of the borough by-laws be reinstated, while the case of tlie other two men, who, it was alleged, used threatening language to the borough inspector at the hydro-electric works, be left to the decision of the council. When the question came before the council last night, the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wftsbn) said that a hint had been forwarded to the men concerned that if they expressed regret the matter would be dropped, but a letter had been received from the men stating that there had been no insult given to the borough inspector, and therefore there was no need for an apology. At present the men were under formal notice, but the engineer had been told not to dispense with them pending the meeting of the council. Cr. T. N. Blackhall asked if the report of the deputation as appearing in the Press was correct. If so, he rather took exception to the attitude adopted by the deputation, which he considered little short of insulting. The Mayor said that' he considered the deputation were, if anything, to be congratulated on the waj they had approached the committee. Crs. V. Griffiths and R. Parkin agreed. Cr. R. A. Large moved that the two men be reinstated. Cr. Parkin seconded. He had no brief, for the men, but their offence was not a criminal one. Mr. Peerless said that the inen were good men and were essential in carrying on the work. The council had been endeavoring for the past four years to get the scheme in operation, which it had been estimated would take two .years; and now when they saw the conclusion in sight, there might be a possibility of “capsizing the whole outfit.” He was not going to take the responsibility if be could avoid it. The Mayor: Anyone wish to speak? The motion was put and lost, only Cr. Hill and the mover and seconder voting in its favor. The report of the committee, recommending the reinstatement of the three men who were cofivicted for a by-law offence, was adopted.