HARBOUR ENGINEER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 51, 7 September 1928, Page 10

HARBOUR ENGINEER

ADVISER TO BOARDS

APPOINTMENT UKGED

When the -Marine Department's report was under consideration in the House of Kepresentatives yesterday, Mr. B. P. Hudson (Motueka) raised the question of the appointment of a qualified harbour engineer to advise, the similler boards. Mr. Hudson said he thought that tho Government should appoint a marine engineer to give advice to harbour boards on harbour construction. Mr; Wilford had been advocating that for years. He also, considered that it would bo wise if the Government went in for a light dredge for the smaller harbour boards who could not afford .to pay for the cost of a dredge for themselves.' Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) suggested that tlie Government should appoint a marine- engineer to make investigations into harbour works. There were two capable men in the country to-day, but their time was so much taken up that it would be months before they could be available if called upon to give expert advice to other boards. Much money was being lost at present on harbour works, and it would pay handsomely to pay the highest salary in any service in tho State to a man who could give good advice in regard to harbour construction. He did not think an engineer used to British harbour conditions would be suitable; it would be preferable to get a man, 'say, from South America, where tho conditions move closely approximated those existing in New Zealand, t The Hon. J. A. Young: "Would you make the harbour boards contribute towards the salary?" Mr. Wilford replied that whether or not that was done, a board would have to pay tho whole fee of any one man whom it consulted. He took it that the Government in the engagement of au engineer would approach tho harbour boards and confer with them on the question of contributing to the salary. Tic supported what had been said by Mr. Hudson about the need for'a'small dvedgo for the smaller harbour boards.