Town Clerkship.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 625, 25 June 1891, Page 2

Town Clerkship.

MR ROBINSON APPOINTED, At the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening applications for the vacant position of Town Olerk were dealt with. The following applications were received, accompanied with testimonials 1— W. A. Kie'y W. J. Quigley R. Robinson J. O. Barnard W. L. File James East J. W. Whty D. Morics George Beers G. J, A. Johnstone John Somervell William Ratcliffe F. J. Please C. D. Bennett A. W. Rees C. 0. Lambert Mr Warren gave Mr Robinson a vary bleb testimonial, and the applicant stated that if it was thought he waa too young tor eo responsive a position, Mr Warren had promised bit counsel in any matters in which he might he in need of it. Cr Joyoe suggested that each name be gons through in the uaual manner. He propo’ed Mr Quigley, and asked whether a seconder was necessary. The Mayor considered there should be a seconder. Cr Lewis seconded the nomination. Cr Joyce said there was no necessity to make many remarks on the subject. Mg Quigley was well known to them as a competent man. He had not many onerous duties to perform at present, and If appointed he believed would make a very suitable officer,

Cr Whinray proposed Mr Robinson, the assistant Town Clerk, and said that his application was accompanied by a testimonial from one well able to judge. He thought that the salary to Mr Robinson should be £l5O, and that £5O be paid to the Mayor for his trouble. The Mayor: That will not save anything, will it ’ Cr Whinray thought it would be a wise provision, and that for the duties the Mayor had to perform he was entitled to the honorarium. Mr Robinson would be 21 in a few months, and he considered would be quite competent for the office. Cr McLernon seconded the nomination pro forma. Whether they appointed Mr Robinson or not, there was no doubt he deserved well of them for the way he had carried out the work. Cr Lewis disagreed with Cr Whinray’s idea about the reduction of salary. If Mr Robinson was competent, whether young or O'.d, he was entitled to the salary advertised. Cr Joyce thought the salary should be maintained as advertised, Cr Taylor proposed Mr Piessa. Cr Whinray said it was unfortunate that so many Councillors were away. The Mayor said they could not help that. Cr Joyce : It strikes me that those that are present will have to bear the sins of those that are away Cr McLernon proposed Mr Witty. He said they were placed in an awkward position by having such a long list of honorable and able men. Mr Witty was in a way a servant of the community. The Harbor Board were going in for retrenchment, and they had decided in fayor of amalgamation, so that Mr Witty’s services could be utilised by both bodies, which he supposed would mean at least a saving of £5O to the Borough. They were all aware of Mr Witty’s personal qualifications, as an able, steady, and energetic man. Cr Taylor proposed Mr Bennett, and Cr Dunlop seconded. The Mayor stating that it was competent for a Councillor to propose more than one, Cr Whinray proposed Mr Rees, who had passed his degrees as a barrister, and was a highly capable and reliable young man. Crs Joyce and Lewis voted in favor of Mr Quigley. Cr Whinray, McLernon, Joyce, Lewis, »nd Taylor voted in favor of Mr Robinson, and be was declared elected to the vacancy. The Mayor said he thought Mr Robinson would faithfully carry out the duties. Cr Joyce congratulated the Council on their selection, and believed that Mr Robinson, though young, would efficiently carry out the work. Cr Whinray said it was for economical reasons he proposed Mr Bobinson, and ha would move in proper time to adjust the salary. Cr Lewis thought it would be wrong of the Council to go back on what they had advertised. It the work was worth the money they should give it, Cr Whinray said it was rank bosh to talk about the salary being too little. Borne applicants bad said the work would be done in three hours a day. Or Dunlop thought it would be the most mean and contemptible thing they could do to cut the salary down after the appointment. Hie only reason for not supporting Mr Robinson was on account of hie youth, but if he was competent for the work he was entitled to the salary stated. Cr Whinray said if what he proposed was mean be supported mean things sometimes. The Mayor said the discussion was irregular and there was nothing before them. Mr Warren's letter of recommendation on behalf of the successful applicant was as follows I—l have much pleasure in offering my testimony in support of Mr R. Robinson's application for the office of Town Clerk to the Borough of Gisborne, as I feel sure that during the last three months he has carried on the work of the office in a creditable manner, and with every effort to serve the best interests of the Council. It may be thought that he is too young for so important an office, but I plead his youth as a positive advantage, for the Finance Committee will have a good reason for checking bis work, a thing much to be desired after the late painful experience. In my connection with the office I have found that Mr Robinson has acquired a fair knowledge of the laws of Municipal Government, and committed to mebiory the important resolutions of the Council, so that in entering upon the duties he will be familiar with all past transactions, and be able to devote a considerable portion of his time in acquiring a knowledge of the statute law, and thus serve the Council wisely and well. _ On Cr Dunlop's suggestion it was decided that the Finance Committee should arrange for a proper system to keep the state of the (recounts before them