DRAINAGE OF THE FLAT.

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 8

DRAINAGE OF THE FLAT.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Referring, at the meeting of the Drainage Board, to the saving in the upkeep of ilia drains, Mr Taverner said ho hoped that it had not been made at the expense of efficiency. As chairman of the Finance Committee, ho should know, said Mr Sincock, but unfortunately he docs not know; it is only his opinion, and facts ho cannot have, or he would certainly have produced them. It is very amusing to read the remarks expressed by Mr Taverner on the efficiency of the board or otherwise. He would have members to believe that the efficiency lias been impaired as a result of economy. The economy was effected for multifarious reasons, none of which could in anv way have impaired the efficiency of' the board, because my candid opinion is that there was nothing but the opposite, and it was only the beginning of making a start to clean up lhe results of inefficiency. The unfortunate part at the time was that it did not extend a little farther instead of waiting for the inevitable. Although Mr Taverner is chairman of Die Finance Committee, /lie for one knows very little about the inner workings of the boaid. The affairs of the board have been sadly neglected for a number of years to my knowledge, and I presume ever since the merger took place. Tbo dual office of city and drainage engineer in the past has been an absolute failure. There has been no co-ordination between the two bodies; the board has always been a Secondary consideration, and lias been treated worse than an orphan. The engineer has been simply a figurehead, which has ultimately been proved, and supervision of the affairs of tile board has been lamentably wanting. The policy of the board has been one of drift, and, had it not been for the floods, wo should still bo drifting. It is very questionable whether the position of board and city engineer combined tends to efficiency, as past experience roes to prove that the dual position has been false economy. The affairs of the board warrant a chief executive officer solely responsible, close supervision, better organisation, instefid of the half-pie system! and would ho greatly benefited by results of efficiency and economy A vast amount of economy ran be effected without impeding the imaginary efficiency of the hoard or doing an injustice to anyone. The engineering department is the one that requires a, thorough overhauling, as there has l.icen too much laxity in the past—-every man his own boss, and very iitlie supervision; Jienco the results we have experienced In conclusion, I would ask M: Taverner in future to give facts, and not opinions, when ho* is speaking about efficiency; and, if he has any doubts, surely ho can get ihe ii.forma lion required, as it is on record the amount of work done during the past twelve months, and can be compared with previous records.—l am, etc., Interested. July 20.