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passed a resolution that be should re- gulate the hours of the workmen in that way. He had been informed by the workmen that members of the Council had told them that he (the Surveyor) did it on his own accord. Mr J. Pryce Jones—Shame for any member to say that. Mr Henry Freeman—Yes, shame. Dr. J. Pugh Jones—What made the Works Committee to make this recom- mendation ? The Chairman said the workmen were not satisfied with the system in force by the Council, and thought they should be paid overtime for working after 1 p.m., on Saturday. It was a right down shame for any member to inter- fere with he instructions of the Sur- veyor to the men, and it was not the business of any member to interfere with the work of the Surveyor. He belived the men should be paid over- time. The men bad a grievance, and be told them to write to the Surveyor, who would afterwards bring the matter before the Works Committee, which was done in this case. Dr. J. Pugh Jones—Could we have the names of those members? Mr John Morgan-It would be very good if we bad them. The Chairman—Nothing would be gained by having the names. Mr John Morgan—Oh yes. The statement might be false. The Chairman—Has any member anything to propose ? Dr J. Pugh Jones-I propose that in future members of the Council should not interfere with the Surveyor's De- partment. Mr John Morgan—Except in com. mil tee. Dr. Pugh Jones—Yes certainly. Mr Owen Williams said before any- thing was passed be wished to have an explanation that if any ratepayer called attention of any member to a certain thing was that member to report to the Council or to the Surveyor. He wanted to be clear on that point, The Chairman said that it would save time if the matter was reported to the Surveyor. He saw nothing out of place in that. Dr J. Pugh Jones said he did not be- lieve in any member interfering with the Surveyor's department, and- Mr Owen Williams said he had not been interfering with the Surveyor's de- partment, and it was not right for Dr Jones to allude to him. The Chairman—Will you please sit down, Mr Williams. Mr Owen Williams said he was not going to have it as he was free from any fault in this matter. The Chairman said there was no need for any more discussion. Mr Owen Williams said he was per- fectly clear from it. He bad told the men to write to the Council if they bad any grievances. The Chairman—That was quite right. Mr Owen Williams—I am a friend of the workmen. Dr J. Pugh Joues said he bad not alluded to. any member more than the other, and'did not allude to Mr Williams at all.- It was not right fo.1 a member to interfere with the Surveyor's work. He bnd not referred to anyone. The Chairman — As there is no seconder to Dr. Jones' proposition, the matter is therefore at an end. Mr Owen Williams said they bad better go round the workmen to see who was interfering with them. Dr. Pugh Jones said be was quite satisfied inasmuch as he bad drawn attention to the matter. The Chairman said the arrangement was that the men should work until 12 p.m. on Saturday instead of until 1 p.m and that the hour taken off was to be worked on Saturday night. The men objected to that arrangement. Dr. Pugh Jones—They don't like that arrangement, The Surveyor—No. The Chairman said the men had sent a letter to the Surveyor about their grievances and the matter had been fully discussed by the Works Committee. Dr Pugh Jones—What are the griev- ances of the men ? The Chairman said that the letter I from the four workmen was to the effact that they considered the present ar- rangement in force with regard to working hours on Saturday were un- satisfactory. In future they considered that they should be treated similarily to Council workmen elsewhere, that was, that Saturday's working hours should be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. without a break. Work after the latter hour to be con- sidered as overtime and paid for accor- dingly. The Surveyor said he was only carry- ing out what the Council bad passed, but the men were under the impression that he made the arrangement himself, N% I)icb was not the case. Mr Henry Freeman enquired whether the men found any fault with this arrangement last summer. The Surveyor—No. Mr Henry Freeman -Only this sum- mer. The Surveyor— Yes. Mr John Morgan said that there were two sides to the question—to do what was right with the workmen and also o do what was right with the ratepayers. Years ago the Council's men used to work until 4 on Saturday afternoons, but lately that system had been done away with and the men worked until 1 p.m. It should be borne in mind that the Council's men had their wages in full all the year round, and also oilskins were provided to them for rainy days, but he doubted very much whether other Councils did the same as the Barmouth Council did in that re- spect. He thought it was not right for the men who had their wages in full all the year round to charge for every half an hour they worked overtime. He be- lieved in the present arrangement which the Council had already passed. One reason why the streets were so untidy was that tradesmen were sweeping rubbish into the streets, and if the Surveyor was to see into that matter there would be less work for the men to do on Satur- day nights. He thought that the Coun- cil ought not to pay extra to the men. He did not believe in it as the men were employed all the year round. Mr Owen Williams said he was em- ploying men himself, and therefore he was able to speak on the matter. In these days it would not do for him to ask one of his employees to stop work for one or two hours and to work those two hours up again late at night. He believed that the Council's workmen were not different to other workmen. He agreed that there was a good deal of sweeping into the streets, and he bad seen the Surveyor going up to a certain individual who was sweeping into the street and asking him to get it up again from the street. Mr John Morgan said that there was a great deal of difference between the Council's men and those employed by a contractor. If the men who worked for a private individual lost half an hour through rain that would be deducted from their wages, but in Ijjie case of the ,,b e case of the Council's men they were paid in full all the year round. The Council were try- ing to meet the men as best as they could, The Chairman said the men's grie- vances'were that they required overtime for working after one p.m. on Saturday, and they say they won't do it again, and that they will give it up. Is'nt that a fact, Mr Parry ? The Surveyor—Yes. Dr Pugh Jones-Do they object work- ing late on Saturday night ? The Surveyor—No. The Chairman said that the men had written to the Surveyor on the matter. The Surveyot said that the letter was addressed to him, but inside it referred I to the Works Committee. Dr Pugh Jones thought that the I Council ought to have the men before them. I The Chairman said that the men had laid out their grievances in the letter which bad been discussed at the Works Committee, and the men bad been com- plaining to the members that they would go on strike if the Council would not listen to their grievances. Dr J. Pugh Jones proposed the matter should be left to the Surveyor. He was responsible to the Council for the men. Mr Owen Williams asked what was the Council going to do with the re- solution already passed giving full power to the Surveyor to regulate the men's hours as he thought fit. He should like to mention that three of the Council's workmen bad told him about their grievances, and he had advised them to write a letter to the Council, and the men told him they had informed other members of their grievances. The men have sent their grievances to the Coun- cil. I » The Chairman said they had been to him and be advised them to send in a letter. Mr J. Pryce Jones thought the men did not look at the matter quite in the proper light, The Council paid their wages in full all the year round, and there ought to be a little give and take on both sides. He thought it would be advisable to have the men before the Council. Dr. Pugh Jones asked why not leave the men to work until 1 p.m., and to pay overtime after that hour. Mr Owen Williams—That is what the men are asking for. Mr Owen Williams, as chairman of the Works Committee, proposed that the recommendation should be adopted. Mr John Morgan said before that could be done the other resolution, giving full power the Surveyor, should J be rescinded. It was not right the men should dictate to the Council, to have this The Cb,irr-t), -Let us adopt the report one way or the other. Mr Henry Freeman seconded the adoption of the report. As an amendment, Dr. Pugh Jones proposed the matter should be left to the Surveyor as be was responsible for the men. The Council should not interfere with the Surveyor's work. Mr John Morgan—Do you agree that the men should be paid overtime ? Dr. Pugh Jones-If the Surveyor thinks fit to Jet him do so. Mr John Morgan seconded the a iii c, n d iti e n t.0 On a vote being taken only the proposer and seconder voted for the amendment, whilst Messrs D. O. Hughes, J. Pryce Jones, Owen Williams and Henry Free- man, voted for the adoption of the re- port, which was declared carried. I ENGAGEMENT OF TWO YOUTHS TO SWEEP THE STREETS. The Works Committee recommended that two youths should be engaged for three months to sweep the streets, etc., and an advertisement for the post should be put in a Liverpool paper, Dol- gelley paper and also through the labour exchange. Dr Pugh Jones—Are there any com- plaints ? TheCbairman-Yes, many complaints were repeatedly made. Mr John Morgan said he was afraid that the Council were drifting away from its usual course of business. It should be remembered that the Council had only about a mile and a half to look after, and there were some new ideas cropping up all the while. What about those hard working women who had to work day and night to pay the rates, etc. The Council were only squandering the ratepayers money in adopting this new method. The rates were high enough already, and they pretended to look after the interests of the ratepayers but they did not do so if they were go- ing to spend money in that way. Why did the Council want so many to sweep the streets ? It was only a short dis- tance to look after. The Chairman said in face of the Complaints received, that was the reason Why tho Council moved in the matter. I j Mr John Morgan—There are not many complaints. ¡ The Clj,,ii t,ni,,tn --Yes, a good many. I The idea to have two youths was they I could keep the streets always clean. The men could not do this and other work at the same time. Mr John Morgan— Yes, it could be done if they were looked after properly. After some discussion, Mr Owen Wil- liams said although be did not quite I believe in it, but as chairman of the Works Committee, he moved the adopt I ion of the report. I Mr J. Pryce Jones, in seconding, said it was not binding the Council in any II way, as the wages had not been fixed yet. As an amendment, Dr J. Pugh Jones I prosposed that the matter should de- ferred. Mr John Morgan seconded. On a vote being taken three voted for the amendment, viz.* Dr J. Pngh Jones, Messrs John Morgan and D, O. Hughes; and four for the original proposition, viz,, Messrs Owen Williams, Henry Freeman, J. Pryce Jones, aud the Chair- man, which was declared carried. PROPOSED NEW COUNCIL BUILDINGS. It was decided that the Council should make an offer of £ 05 rent for the Bank Buildings, situated at the south end of town, provided that the owners would increase the offer of carrying out altera- tions to the premises from £ SO to £50. CAMBRIAN STEET. A petition was presented from inhabi- tants living in the vicinity of Cambrian Street calling attention to the state of the road, and on the proposition of Mr Owen Williams, seconded by Mr D. 0. Hughes, it was decided that the Survey- or should attend to the matter. PLANS. The Surveyor reported that plans of a proposed alterations to the Alfresco Pavilion by Mr John Walters, and of a new shop window at Bon Marche, bad been presented to the Council, and same were in order. It was decided that the plans should be referred to the Works Committee with power to act. THE FIRE BRIGADE. *1 Mr John Lewis, Glanaber Villas, ap- peared before the Call neil, with reference to matters pertaining to the Fire Brigade, and same were referred to the Brigade and the Surveyor. The Council sat until 10.°>0 p.m.