IS IT ECONOMY ?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3588, 30 July 1912, Page 7

IS IT ECONOMY ?

TO SAVE THE EXPENSE OF A QUALIFIED NIGHT WATCHMAN.

HARBOR ENGINEER SAYS THAT IT IS NOT.

AN APPOINTMENT DECIDED ON

The matter of appointing a quairhea official, to look after the Harbor Board’s interests during the hours oi and the question of having "'tho Harbor. Master’s residence connected by telephone overnight with the wharves —which were strongly urged by the “Gisborne Times” —came up for consideration at yesterday’s meeting of the Harbor Board when an important recommendation was presented by the Engineer-Secretary. Tho report by Mr McDonald was as under:

“The time has arrived when tho Board should consider the advisability of appointing a capable watchman in charge of tho wharves at night- The Board has valuable property in the shape of timber wharves and sheds without any protection from fire except insurances. The fishing boats regularly help themselves to water from the Board’s mains at night and though the readings of the meter are watched still the proceeding is irregular. The wharf lights and green leadinglights are tampered with by unauthorised persons. Vessels arrive at night unexpectedly and there is no one to take their lines. V ith a young and energetic man capable of undertaking any signalling that might be required and in touch l:y telephone with the harbor master* there would not only be gr inter security for the Board’s prip?rty, but the shipping would be better served than at present. All (he other harbors in this Dominion employ a night-watchman and most ol 1 hem at least one signalman in addition. I have been in communion -on wnh a suitable man for this post wile Li.fi had 10 years’ experience as sign liman in the Royal Navy. I lay before the Board his application, but at the present stage it must be treated as confidential. He asks £IBO a year for the dual position which is about the same as paid .by other Harbor Boards. Though lam pressing- to curtail unnecessary expenditure in many directions, I do not consider it would be true economy to hesitate in making such an appointment as above outlined. The amount of £ISO a year is not exc" c sive considering that the hours on duty will be 12 hours for 7 nights per week. This works out at about 10s.per night, or 10c! per hour It this appointment he made the difference in cost of the Harbor Master’s Department for salaries before and after my appointment will stand as follows: , . 1 ‘ Before mv appoint men - Assistant Harbor Master, £192; leading lierht keeper, £4O total saving, £232. . ' _ “Since my appointment —Increase to Harbor Master £SO; increase to oil launch driver, £2O: mghtwatchman and signalman, £180; extra expenditure, £256; increase m Harbor Master’s Department, £24 “It will be seen from the above that tho new appointee will take over the leading lights, for winch the Board pays £4O a year. 1 recommend that the Board authorise the Chairman and myself to further investigate the credentials ot the afore-mentioned candidate, and that if satisfactory we he empowered to engage him forthwith at a salary or £ISO ]>er annum on a monthly engagement.”

The Chairman said that this was a very important matter. At piesent there Avas no one in charge of the Board’s property at night and lt-.Avas onlv fair that they should have_ someone* to look after*it. They wanted a competent man and a young man ioi this purpose, and the Board should seriously consider the question of mafcing an appointment of this nature. The watchman could take over the duty of looking after the leading lights for which the Board were at present paving £4O a yearThe Engineer then read the application from the young man he had in view. He would be prepared to take a smaller salary if a house Avas supplied. , , The Chairman: We have a house here and that will further reduce the cost. I Avould propose that we decide to appoint a nightwatehinan, one capable of signalling and taking charge of the Avholo harbor. Mr Holden pointed out that the expenses kept going up. _ When they appointed a man as weighbridge-keeper it Avas found impossible for him to carrv out all the duties and a man had to be appointed to look after the sheds. Ho hoped that this Avas not going to turn out the same wav. . Mr White: I Avas just wondering where the cost Avas going to end. Mr Witters: The appointment mentioned by Mr Holden Sjioivs increased business. . . ~ , ~ The Chairman pointed .out that tho revenue had increased £I3OO for the half-year as against the corresponding half-year in 1911, and consequently more* labor was required. Since, the appointment mentioned by Mr. Holden was made there had been no grumb!lll)[ r Wachsmann avanted to know if they had a Morse signalling- appara"nfl the Chairman replied that they had. Mr Holden thought that the appointment Avas quite unnecessary. Mr Witty had been appointed treasurer and he said the work required was too much for him. . Air Humphreys seconded the motion which AVae carried, Mr Holden dissentin***. ~ 'The Chairman and the Engineer were empowered to inquire into the qualifications of the applicant mentioned 'by the Engineer.