The Town Clerkship.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 619, 11 June 1891, Page 2

The Town Clerkship.

At the last meeting of the Borough Council Cr Whinray withdrew his notice of motion on amalgamation, as there was no necessity to discuss it further, the County Council having refused to amalgamate. Cr Dunlop’s motion that applications be called for the position of Town Clerk and Borough rate collector, at a salary of £2OO per annum, then came on. He said the County Council having refused to amalgamate, there was really nothing to deal with in the matter, unless an amalgamation scheme should be brought about by the Borough Council and the Harbor Board. Ho thought there were many reasons for having a clerk of their own. They would have the work better looked after, and better done. As to the remuneration, he thought £2OO enough to propose. Applicants should know that they required some better security than they had had before, and he would like to add that the successful applicant should provide ths security by some Fidelity Guarantee Company. The Mayor: Provided this is carried, would the Council pay the premium, and stop it out of his salary ? Cr Dunlop : It is usual for the employer to pay the premium. Cr Joyce would be in favor of a bond going along with the guarantee. He was of opinion bonds were just as good. The Mayor : If the Council pay the premium it would come before them every year. Cr Harding seconded the motion, that the salary be £2OO a year, and the Council pay the premium. Cr Whinray moved an amendment that the salary be £175 a year. They were not justified in paying £2OO a year, for there were plenty of men who would be willing to take the position at £175 a year. He felt inclined to make it £l5O, but in view of the premium he would make it £175. Cr Joyce seconded the amendment. He agreed with Or Whinray that there were plenty of good men willing to have a constant occupation at £3 per week. Or Lewis said that the Harbor Board might-taka the services of anyone the Council appointed, but they should stand to the £2OO. The two offices should be fairly worked together, They rhould make the appointment, and then it the Harbor Board accepted the services 0! the clerk, they should pay in proportion. Cr Ouleman thought £2OO a year little enough to pay for a Town Clerk. There was nothing to prevent the Harbor Board joining them afterwards. He was in favor of calling for applications at once. Cr Joyce: Is it the wish of all the Council that the amalgamation with the Board should take place ? Tbs Mayor: If the motion is carried the Harbor Btrard can come in afterwards. Cr Harding did not think that they should consider the Harbor Board at all in the matter. They should simply call for applications for a Town Clerk. Or Wbinray thought a greater saving would be made by allowing the Harbor Board to appoint their own Secretary. The Chairman then put the motion. For I Crs McLernon, Dunlop, Taylor, Lewis, Hsrding, and Coleman ; against: Ore Whinray 1 and Joyce.