TE AROHA NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 4

TE AROHA NEWS

THAMES VALLEY POWER BOARD COST OF WAGE'S INCREASE (Special to Times) TE AROHA. Wednesday. At the monthly meeting or the Thames Valley Electric-Power Board yesterday the committee set up at the last meeting reported the purchase of a section .and buildings at Wathi at tile cost or £4 20. The ortlces at present rented by the board for £1 a week were entirely unsuitable. The nuance committee reported that the 5 per cent increase in wage? would cost the board over £llOO annually. It recommended that employees re-eeiving less than £4OO receive the increase but that tbe case of increasing executive officers' salary remain in abeyance. Tlie chairman, Mr J. Price, explained that the board had no power to increase the salary of an employee receiving ovpr £4OO per annum as it wa> a matter for the Controller. ■Messrs *l»oughton and 'Main considered the board should recommend the increase for all employees, but -.Messrs Kennedy and Hawke did not agree t-> the men referred to receiving the increase. The position was different with the lower-paid employees. They contended that the farmers would have to bear the burden of increased costs. The chairman brought down a report

on the management and workings of the engineers. He submitted that the present staff or three engineers and tr.e services of an inspector were, necessary for

the successful administration of the de partment, and suggested that a summan or the staff of all departments be included In the annual report.