AUCKLAND'S CITY ENGINEER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 6

AUCKLAND'S CITY ENGINEER.

A RUMOUR AND A PROTEST. (By TclcEraDh.-ProES Association,) Auckland, July ll'. \ strong protest, founded on a rumour that Mr. V. K Bush, City Engineer, 13 to bo dismissed from office, is io"™ to the papers by Mr. Arthur Mjc *, M P who was Mayor at the time of Ml. Bush's appointment. After eulogising tho engineer's work in the past, Mi. Myeis savs: "1 admit that Mr. Bush, probably has too much to do at present, and it may be advisable to of the position of engineer to, thei Auckland Drainage Board but swing that to was engaged primarily as City hugmeer and has ably and conscientiously ca icd out his duties as head of a Department which is responsible for the expcndituio of two-thirds of the municipal icvenue. it docs seem to me that the council would be very ill-admed to dispense with his services m that capacity, in any ease, if tho present councillors, or any of tliom, think that Mr. Bush has shown such laxity or .incapacity ns to warrant his being deprived of Ins ofnee, lliev should in common justice formulate their charges against him denmtcly nncl publicly, and give him an opportunity of meeting them. This is not merely mailer. An important principle is at stake, deeply affecting the welfare of the community. If tho community is to' be well served it must, while exacting good work from its em- , ployscs, fhov them the same justice and consideration as would be expected from ! a reputable private employer. There can bo nothing more lowering to the tone of our public life, more ruinous to the efficiency of our public administration, than that public servants who have discharged their duties faithfully should he liable to dismissal without clear proof of incompetence or dereliction of duly. In municipal matters efficiency of administration is a matter of supreme foment; and of all municipal appointments there is none more important than that of City Engineer. Can we hopo to secure or retain first-class men for such positions if wo do not protect them against iliMnissal unless on charges openly made which they have had n full and jnir opportunity of refuting? 'I i'col that if \h? action thai appears to be contemplated is I'.ilicn, not only will a wrioiis iniiistice l>? done lo Mr. Bush personally, but a blow will lie struck ;:t Iho high standard of our piwent inunkipal life."