ENGINEER'S APPOINTMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 135, 10 June 1925, Page 14

ENGINEER'S APPOINTMENT.

•MADE BY HARBOUR BOARD

.ADVERTISING OF POSITION.

URGED BY ONE MEMBER. When the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday afternoon considered the recommendation of the board in committee that Mr. D. Holdernes3 be 'appointed engineer at a commencing Salary of £1250, Mr. E. W. Inder imme- ;■ moved an amendment that applications be invited for the position both within and out of the Dominion at an adequate salary. Mr. Holderness was about to retire from the meeting, but Mr. Inder said lie preferred him to remain and hear what was said. "-Mr. Inder Baid he was not at the committee meeting when the matter was discussed, but he noticed the 13 members who were there were unanimous. They had considered nobody except one man who had been in the service some length -of time. If applications were called and there was the slightest doubt between Mr. Holderness and any other of the applicants, Mr. Holderness should have the benefit, because it was better to - appoint a man' whom they knew than one whom they did not know. Applications should not be accepted on their face value, but at the same : time the board should know who were offering before the position was filled. The board would not get the best man available at the figure they were offering. Considering that the board had a capital of two million pounds and that the expenditure was large he considered the salary should be greater. The board was placing itself in an unsatisfactory position in being unable to point to the various applications it had considered before making the appointment. There was no seconder to the amendment, which therefore lapsed. The chairman, Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, said the committee had been unanimous. . Mr. Inder was not a member at the . time. Mr. Holderness had gone abroad some years ago and it was well known ■; he went to qualify himself for the position, and he showed the board that he was capable of occupying it. Mr. Inder: Thank you for the explanation, but you have not told mc anything I did not know before. I want the public to know my opinion on the matter. « Mr. Holderness was then appointed, and Mr. N. L. Vickerman was appointed assistant-engineer at a commencing jjj salary of £700. 5| Formal acceptance of the resignation J; of Mr. W. H. Hamer, late engineer to » the board, was then moved, and it was kg resolved: "That a letter be sent to Mr. X Hamer stating that, in accepting his ** resignation, the board desires to place ';.' on record its high appreciation of the J? valuable work done, and the faithful JJ service rendered during the 20 years he X ; acted as engineer to the board. The S3 j members wish him renewed health, and »j every prosperity for the future." ** Mr. Inder: I approve only of the last *» .sentence. •J | The Engineers' Careers. S ; Mr. Holderness, who is 40 years of J£ age, has been acting-engineer since the £* ; resignation of Mr. W. H. Hamer. He f* j began his education at Christ's College, «g i Canterbury, and in 1902 he transferred £■ I to the Canterbury School of Engineering, 3& i graduating as an Associate in Engineergj ling in 1906. The following year he was jEj'PPointed draughtsman and general ■• "assistant to Lyttelton Harbour Board. ■ 'In 190S he came to Auckland Harbour Board as testing Officer, and in 1911 he was appointed inspecting engineer, becoming assistant engineer the following year. In 1914 he received his diploma as Associate of the. Institute of Civil Engineers and was one of three out of 159 candidates, to receive honourable mention from the Council of the Institute. Between 1916 and 1918 he was retained as Eieutenant of the N.Z. Engineers in charge of Featherston Military Camp. Mr. N. L. Vickerman is 32 years of age. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School and received his diploma of Associate in Engineering at Auckland University College, and passed as Associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1921. He joined the board's staff in 1910. He was on active service as lieutenant on the N.Z. Engineers from 1914-1918.