Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1926, BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 January 1926, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1926, BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

The Greymouth Borough Council meeting, last evening, was marked by the approval given to the principle to engage a qualified engineer and surveyor at a reasonable salary, to take charge of municipal works. This is a decision often advocated in these columns, and it will be surprising if the Borough does not save, in future, considerably more than the extra salary given to the new official. The “patchwork” policy, where roads etc., are concerned has had a long trial, and has proved a failure. Good service has been rendered by men, such as Mr. E. M. "Williams, but the growth of the borough demanded the supervision and control by one fully qualified and experienced. The new man should be able to effect improvements and savings, and Councillors, after having formulated the general policy to be followed, should refrain from “interfering” with the accredited Borough Engineer. Personal prestige must not over-ride professional knowledge, as no official can give of his best, if harassed by those who, in their desire to help, really thwart. The Councillors are to be congratulated on the forward step they are taking, and it is to be hoped that the salary offered will secure the man the Borough has long aWaited. A long discussion took place, last evening, on the municipal waterworks, ever' a subject of controversy and often of complaint. Few will pretend that the Borough water-supply is ideal, the maintenance of quality and quantity being spasmodic. Perhaps, the new engineer, after he has had time to look-round, will be able to give expert advice, and secure permanent improvements. Another item of public interest was the Traffic Inspector’s report on the motor buses plying for hire on Borough thoroughfares. Apparently, this usually alert officer has failed to notice any undue “speeding,” but the fact that he has received complaints from the public, is proof that anxiety exists. Mr. Sloss reported that the Council’s authority was being defied. If that is so, the Council’s duty is clear, ?and should be immediate. Great improvements have been ‘made of late in Greymouth’s motor-bus services, but no local authority should allow its regulations, if legally well-found-ed, to be defied.