CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE ENGINEER TO THE DRAINAGE BOARD. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. ' \ Sir, — allow me to reply to Mt > I'iteaithml remark*. It ia quite tro* *-S Mr Napier Bell received £800 on his eu- " *' terinjj the Board's service, and waived -r £203 on his being appointed consulting en- _ ' gineer to the Lyttelton Harbour Board. "/ As to the " half-time" on the Drainage *■* Board, Ido know that when he was not J i<l the oftic-e he was on the works, and * precious long houro, too, excepting as occasional visit to Lyttelton. ' ' Nothing -was written to disparage Ml * ( ( Cuthbert as an engineer. I simply drew attention to the fact that Mr Outhbert was asking for a larger salary'than Mt ■■• 8011, who had far greater responsibilities, * There was a doubt in my mind if Mr Outhbert had previous experience on large •■*' drainage works prior to coming to Christ* church. Mr Pitcaithly hue shown that hi/ ; had not, although " now nn: expert," " » Mr Pitcnithly is not quite correct ii ', stating Mr Cuthbert had charge of tin* main sewers, erection of pumping ma*,-, ,, chinery, and iron main to sandhills. . The specifications for tank and pumping, *, machinery stated that the contraotor for .) the former could sink the tank in any fora ' r f he chose. The machinery was to be put S together and run to the satisfaction of Mt \* Bell, tlfe contractor taking sole reeponel-" it' bility. This portion of the work we* * carried out solely by Mr Durw&rd, & p»o ~ ticnl engineer. One or two improvements. , ■ were also suggested by Mr Bell and carried ;* out. Mr Bell inspected the iron pip* V laying almost daily, fixing the, position ol ygj the valves, junctions, the tower at end, and also the timber fluim'ng. Jx& I do not think Mr Outhbert wae WHf, \ at the pumping station or pipe laying <, ■\ 1 during the progress of the work in as *"* official capacity. If Mr t Cuthbert bat «£ taken over the clerical ,dutiee he has help.**! etc., ■ • v . a ratepayer, - '*