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Evening Star, Issue 11815, 19 February 1903, Page 4

Thk letter of the City Engineer read at the meeting of the Council yesterday makes quite clear the reasons which have actuated him in declining to attend the sittings of the Special Committee set up to inquire into the working of his department, except under conditions which he deems necessary in self-protection. As one of the expressed objects of the Committee is to “ ascertain and report upon the qualifications of the City Engineer,” the conditions 1 required are, we are disposed to think, reasonable. His professional character is at stake, and he is justified in endeavoring to ensure that the proceedings shall be open and above-board, <and conducted with due formality, so as to keep within the limits of the order of reference, prevent digression, and the diversion of the inquiry into what is conventionally known as a “fishing” investigation. Naturally enough, those members of the Council who have been constantly girding at the Engineer would like to find some justification for their hostile criticism, and Mr Rogers, put. ns he now is, on his defence, is bound to use all legitimate means to place himself in the right with the ratepayers, who are really, as he states, “his employers.” Ha is evidently determined, so far as in lum lies, that there shall be no “ hole and corner” work, and he courts the fullest publicity. To this purpose he demands that the proceedings of the Committee shall be open to the Press and to the public, thus affording security to the citizens and to himself that justice will be done. He evidently feels confident that he has nothing to risk by the fullest information bring available, and that snch information will set him right in popular opinion as to the manner in which he has discharged his official duties. On behalf of the Committee, Councillor Maitland said' that they had already arranged for shorthand notes being taken of the evidence, which would be written out and placed before the Council and “ would then be handed to the Press.” This, however, is an ex parte statement, manifestly taking a great deal for granted. Experience in regard to the transaction of Corporation business is not encouraging as to the reliance to be placed on such a report as indicated, which is at least liable to be tinged with the sentiments of the ruling minds of the Committee. We decidedly are of opinion that the inquiry should be open, and that, as Mr Rogers further demands, he should have the opportunity of calling evidence on his oito behalf and of cross-examining witnesses. In regard to being represented by counsel, the-e are obvious reasons why this would not be desirable. The proceedings would be indefinitely protracted, there would lie endless discussions on technical points, and the very probable result would be that no finality would bo attained. Costly litigation might further not impossibly be provoked. As to the decision of the Council to refer the request of the City Engineer to the Special Committee appointed to conduct the inquiry, this was quite in outer, and could hardly have been otherwise. The Council cannot properly interfere at this stage of the proceedings, but, of course, it will be in their power to discuss and challenge the report when it Is Drought up. There is no question as to the power of lie Council to relegate to standing or special committees any matters for consider ition or inquiry or management or regulation, and to delegate to any such committee any of the powers or duties conferred upon the Council under the Municipal Corporations Act, except the powers to borrow money, make a rate, make a by-law, or execute a deed of contract. In the case of a special committee, such delegation manifestly ceases when the special functioas are discharged. The City Council, consequently, when the report on the order of reference is submitted, will be free to deal witu the matter of the inquiry, and can proceed, if tiny so please, altogether independently of the expressed opinions and recommendations of the Committee. Should the Council come to the conclusion that the inquiry was incomplete or unsatisfactory owing to the manner in which it was conducted, or otherwise, they may set aside the report altogether, or remit it for amendment. .

The City Engineer.

The Mayor, speaking at the City Council’s meeting last evening, advised caution in financial matters. Their overdraft was creeping up steadily, and though the money had been spent on necessary works, the unauthorised expenditure of last year had been exceeded by nearly £IO,OOO. The works which had caused the unauthorised expenditure were the Morgue (which would be revenue-producing), St. David street bridge, the land purchased in Moray place, the Town Belt roads. North-east Valley bridge, and the Council’s new Corporation quarry at Woodhaugh. Last evening an entertainment, under the conductorship of Miss Lambourne, was given in the Council Chambers, Maori Hill, by the members of the Belleknowes Method dist Sunday School, assisted by a few friends, in aid of the Maori Hill Sunday School funds. The entertainment took the form of a floral festival, combined with recitations, dialogues, and quartets. All who assisted did exceptionally well, and credit is due to Miss Lambourne for the way she had trained the children. The punt at Mouth has given trouble for some time, and the gear seems at-present very much out of order. The overhead wire rope recently carried away the funnel of the little steamer Waiwera, and, of course, the *’ sag ” of the wire is considerable. A hemp rope attached is also a source of danger. The responsible authorities should at once put these ropes in proper repair, and so remove an obvious danger. The Mayor reported to the Council last evening, on behalf of the Committee rppointed to meet the West Harbor Council and Harbor Board that in regard to the recent agitation with reference to the Logarf Point road and bridge the whole matter had been carefully gone into, and tie Conference recommended that a new bridge should be erected, and each body pay a third of the cost, which was not to exceed £4O to each. Mr Kawson, the Harbor Board engineer, would prepare plans and specifications, and form an estimate. The report was referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. The Mayor also stated that the Mayor of West Harbor bad intimated that a Government vote of £2OO would be expended in repairing and widening the roan. As the result of Mr Cruicksbank’s judgment (reported in another column) in (be Gore licensing petitiop, fifteen hotels will Imp. their licenses after June next.

Tenders for the City Council’s proposed pipe line and Lee Stream tunnel were onened by the Council last night, and referred to the Tramways Committee for report. For the pipe line the conditions, briefly, were: (1) Two miles in ten months, (2) six miles in ten months, and (3) s : x miles in eighteen months. The tenders and the amounts respectively were: A. and T. Burt, for No. 1 £5,940 6s 9d, for No. 2 £11,702 16s lOd, and for No. 3 £11,577 14s 4d; Cossens and Black, £4,386 6s lid, £13,191 14s 2d, £12,933 13s sd; Dunedin Engineering Company, £5,700 10s c s d, £1&,567 'ss 6d, £16,567 5s 6d; John Mac--1 Gregor and Co., £5,773 6s 7d. £17,263 l?s Hid, £17,222 15s 4fd; Hadley and Co. (America), £12.139 17s 9d, £36,158 15s, and £36,158 15s. For the tunnel the tenders *4vere for completion in eighteen, twenty, twenty-four,, and thirty months, and the following were received;—J. E. White (twenty months), £23,972, (thiry months) £19,488 9s: Mr Ferry (eighteen months! £24,534, (twenty-four months) £21,544, (thirty months) £18,830; F. H. Perry 'and Co. (eighteen months), £30,224 6s, (twenty-four months) £29,224, (thirty months) £26,819 12s: Mathieson Bros, (twenty-four months), £34,985 15s. The Charitable Aid Board met this afternoon, when there were present Messrs P. Miller (chairman) J. Smith, T. Mackenzie, W. Burnett, T. Lawrence, W. Hay, Sim, J. Thomson, Inglis, W. Robertson, and W. Baird. The only business was the passing of some accounts. The Hospital Board met immediately afterwards, and was attended by the same members except Messrs Burnett and Sim. The only business was the passing of the monthly claim for hospital maintenance (£500). The San Francisco mail is due in Wellington about 8.15 to-morrow night. The Rotomahana will be delayed to take on the Southern portion. At a meeting of the Executive of the retailers’ section held this morning Mr R. Chisholm was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Wednesday next was originally fixed as the day for the turning of the first sod of the new electric tramways for the City, but owing to Wednesday being a public holiday the City Council' last evening postponed the ceremony until Thursday. Mr D. A. De Mans. J.P., presided at the Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon, when a first offender, for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged. Mr Justice Williams gave judgment lodav in re John Jenkins, deceased. Tha "question was whether the cash in the house and the cash on deposit passed to Dr Cotnmins under the words “all effects” as appearing in Jenkins’s will. His Honor said that the question was not without difficulty, but, looking at the principles on which the Courts have interpreted similar expressions where a contrary interpretation would result in a partial intestacy, he thought that the words used amounted lo a general bequest of the testator’s personal property. We understand that the Education Board decided last night to slightly increase the salaries of various members of the staff and to readjust the travelling expenses of the inspectors. The total increases come to £272, covering ever- branch of the service. The members of the Board realised that with the enhanced cost of living some of their servants were being insufficiently paid. Crs Christie and Scott have been appointed to represent the City Council on the Technical Schools Board. Mr A: R. Barclay successfully contended in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, „fter winning the case of Dalton* v. Malcolm, in which 30s was recovered as wages, that section 169 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act empowers a magistrate to allow costs in any case, however small the sum at issue. The . belief hitherto has been ‘ that costs could be allowed only where £2 and upwards was recovered. After considering the point raised. Mr Garew. S.M., and Mr Hanlon 100, acknowledged that Mr Barclay was right. The following skit was posted up in the Club Hotel, Masterton, previous to the bandmasters meeting the judge with reference to his having disclosed the result ot first-test performances';—“l have Herd that most of the bands are in a bad Hume-r and consider their chance Cook-ed. However, we shall hear Mohr of it after they have Siddall-ed what they can, and have Laid law down more explicitly. This contest is a Oakes, and I don’t Kerr how soon it is over, as our chance is Buckley’s. —Yours, etc.. Mud.” “S H - D - Bedford, M.H.E., will preside at the annual gathering hi connection with the Central Mission social work which is to be held in the Stafford street Hall this evening- , , T !? e °kher speakers will be Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., Dr B. E. De Lautour, and Sisters Olive, Clare, and Marie. A collectwn will bo taken on behalf of the sisters’ work. There will also bo a short musical programme. Photographs of children are made a specialty by Mr Morris, photographer, Prirces street. Charges. 21s per dozen.—CAdvt.] Tlie N.Z. Clothing Factory, Octagon, will be closed all day to-morrow (Friday) for marking down Alexandra branch stock for colossal sale, commencing Saturday, 21st inst.— [Advt.] High School books and St. Hilda’s College books at Braithwaite’s.—[Advt.] # The North-east Valley Band resume practice to-morrow night. # Wanted known—Fresh bargains will be opened to-morrow to go at any price. At Montague’s sale.—[Advt.] Simon Eros., Princes street (opposite the Post Office), call attention to their special reduction boot sale. See advertisement.— [Advt.] “Price of best cycles down at last—three weeks only. Sale started Saturday, 7th. Anglo Cycle Go. Write for sale catalogue at once.— [Advt.] Extra large hair nets, splendid quality; also new hair ornaments, frames, whalebone brushes, etc., just landed. Inspection invited. Hendy, hairdresser.—[Advt.] The D.I.C. are advertising still further reductions during the second 'week of their great clearance sale. They are determined to clear all seasonable goods in order to make room for new shipments now to hand. Special attention has been paid to the remarking of millinery, dress material, mantles, etc., and these are row being offered at prices which must effect a speedy clearance. Exceptional bargains are also being offered in furniture, crockery, and ironmongery.— [Advt.] Gresham and Boot, dentists, 65 Princes street (opposite Bible. Tract Depot).—[Adyt.J Furniture, up to date in style and workmanship; carpets and toilet ware. Henry Sanders, 86 George street.—[Advt.] Mark Twain said that there are only fifteen original jokes in the world, and he made twelve of them. There is but one perfect hair curler in the world. It is called New Century.—[Advt.]