THE CITY ENGINEER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 152, 28 June 1901, Page 5

THE CITY ENGINEER.

At the City Council meeting last evening Cr, F. E. Baume moved: "That applications be invited'for the position of city engineer, the salary to be £800 per annum, and the term of engagement five years." Mr Baume said he thought it was impossible to expect anything from the present Council in the way of technical skill; and they therefore should have the services of a thoroughly well qualified nnd skilled engineer if municipal works were to be properly carried out. The present engineer was most useful in his own way, but he could not have had the experience and qualifications necessary to undertake large works. The Council would shortly have to deal with some very laro-e "works-drainage, streets, water sropplv, town hall, etc., involving an expenditure of from £100,000 to £150,000, and they could not carry out these works properly without a highly skilled engineer. No big business firm would carry on its affairs in such a way; it was false economy to try and run a huge concern like the City Council without the assistance of* a city engineer. . They must spend a lot of money to complete the town, and the £SOO a year for five years was a very small percentage on £100,000 or £1'f.0,000 in order to ensure excellence of work. Cr. Masefield seconded the motion pro forma, but pointed out that they already had a city engineer at £400 a ■year as well as a waterworks engineer! He suggested that the matter be -deferred till next meeting, when all the members could be present. Cr. Hewson. in opposing the motion, spoke liighlv in favour of Mr Wrigg s ability and qualifications, and said he considered Mr Baume should withdraw his motion for the present and see what the engineer was capable of when giv.n a free hand. So^far the city engineer had really not had a fair chance to show what he could do qt Kosher agreed with this, and said'Mr Wrigg could now be given a free hand, so that he would have an opportunity of showing what he was capable of. , Cr. Julian said they had gone on -middling for years in the Council bnt seeing that now they were going to give the engineer a, free hand they should give him a show for say six or eight months to show what he could do, and not interfere with or hamper his work. _ After some further discussion, Cr. Baume said lie was willing to let the motion stand over for a month.but the Councillors would not agree to this, and the question accordingly ■went to the vote. The motion was lost, only Councillors Baume and Julian voting for it.

The German Government is having built, under the supervision of Mr Kronfeld, of this city, an oil launch for the Island trade. The launch is to be propelled by an 85 horse power four cylinder "Union" oil engine, similar to those supplied to the Auckland Harbour Board's launch Kuaka, and the Government's hew schooner "The Countess of Ranfurly." Messrs W A. Ryan and Co., general engineers, who suplied the engines for these two boats, have been entrusted with the order for the engine to be used on the vessel.