MR. W. FERGNSON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1907, Page 4

MR. W. FERGNSON.

A' TRIBUTE TO HIS ENGINEERING SKILL. commission from .victoria. Mr. William Ferguson, Secretary and to the Wellington Harbour [ Board, was yesterday granted permission by the board lo go to Victoria for the purpose of reporting on the Melbourne harbour -works. The chairman of the board (the Hon. T. K. Macdonald), announced thab he had received the following letter from the Premier of Victoria, Mr. T. Bent, dated 6th December: — "This Government contemplates considerable changes to the port of Melbourne, and is anxious to ob- j tain the services of a gentleman, who has had wide experience in harbour work and upon whose judgment and advice as to the ■ improvements necessary we could rely. Knowing the standing and ability of your engineer, Mr. William Ferguson, I jwrite to ask if your board could see its way to allow Mr. Ferguson leave of ab-

seuce in order that he might come to Melbourne to make enquiry, and go carefully into the wholo question of port improvements. In my opinion it would be necessary for him to Be here, at least three of four, weeks so that he might acquire a proper grasp of the situation, and this would mean 'an absence from Wellington of from five to &Fx weeks. I understand that you have works proceeding at ' Wellington at* the present time, and that Mr. Ferguson's service M'ith you may be highly necessary, but I •would appreciate any effort on your part to meet the Government in this matter." The chairman stated at the meeting of the board yesterday that members had decided to accede to the request of tho Victorian Government. The invitation was a striking tribute to the ability and professional skill of their engineer as well as a testimony io the good opinion held of Mr. Ferguson outside New Zealand. In a matter of this kind the board considered that it was its duty to extend the hand of fellowship to the Victorian Government as New Zealand -was really part of Australasia. He purposes to write to Mr. Bent expressing this view.