CITY ELECTRIC POWER SCHEMES.

Evening Star, Issue 11453, 22 January 1901, Page 7

CITY ELECTRIC POWER SCHEMES.

TO THE BDITOIt. Sik,—There are several things that cannot hut puzzle any candid inquirer desirous of ascertaining exactly how matters stand. Let mo enumerate some of these. On December 12 last the Tramway Committee laid before the Council Mr Goodman's report. ■Councillor Christie is reported as " wanting

to know about the power likely to be obtained from Waipori." The mayor, in reply, is reported to have said "that the Committee had gone into the matter very fully, and they thought, under the circumstances and acting under the advice of Noyes Brothers, that the Taieri was the proper source of supply." At a meeting of the Council held on January 9 the mayor, backed up by Councillors Carroll and Gore, declared that the Council were committed to no scheme of motor power. "It was quite premature to suggest any scheme." How are these conflicting statements to be reconciled? Another strange contradiction is to be found in respect to the appointment of city engineer. The advertisement in the. Home and Australian papers stipulated that applicants must have a knowledge of electric science At the recent public meeting Mr Mallard is reported as asking: "Is it imperatively necessary that the vote be taken a* ™ VJ e electrical engineer is appointed?" Air Mallard made a mistake; he should iiave said city engineer. Tho mayor promptly took advantage of the slip, and knowing well what was meant said: "If Mr Mallard thought the Corporation were engaging an electrical engineer he was greatly mistaken. Thev were en "a "in t a city engineer, which was a vastly different turn*. ISow, mark this, and "it can be verified: A Dunedin medico (not Dr LoaghtrcT), on behalf of an Edinburgh friend, made special inquiry of the mayor as to the necessary qualifications. The mayor assured him his friend need not apply unless ne was well up in electric science. Again, it- was long and confidently denied that any arrangement had been made to obtain plans and specifications, as this would not be done until ratepayers had been committed At the public-meeting the rTZ-<T lly a l TO ? tt <d that the Tramway Committee, consisting of Messrs Gore, Park «£"?•. the mayor, "have instructed .Noyes Brothers to prepare plans and specifications." l l Mayor and councillors-all. dcubltess, honorable nun-have all along asserted had open minds, had settled nothing, agreed provisionally to nothing Will the mavor or Crs Gore and Carroll kindly explain the meaning of the various contradictory state! ments above mentioned?—l am. etc!, January 19. Ratepayer.