THE BOROUGH ENGINEER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2194, 25 September 1907, Page 2

THE BOROUGH ENGINEER

it is always satisfactory to find the ratepayers taking sufficient interest in the affairs of the borough to place tlreir opinions and desires formally before the Council, but that is the full extent of any commendation that can be given in regard to the petition presented at last night’s meeting having reference to the position of Borough Engineer. To placo the facts in tho .plainest way possible, the petition was evidence either of personal prejudice or of gross ignorance, and tlie Council took the only course possible in allowing it to “lie on the table.” Concerning Mr. Harvey Gibbon himself, the suggestions embodied in the petition need no refutation, and the public, we feel sure, will heartily endorse the views of those councillors who took advantage of the opportunity to pay a high compliment to that gentleman as a most capable officer. The contention that -the work of tho Engineer could just as well be carried out by the overseer of works, .thus saving an Engineer’s salary, is also self-condemnatory. The respective duties of euch are so entirely.. diverse as to make such a suggestion utterly ridiculous. • The proposed undertaking in regard to metal supplies, concerning which Mr. Gibbon recently presented an exceedingly v.a 1 uablo report, will in itself require the services of a thoroughly qualified Engineer; the waterworks system when completed will necessitate similar attention ; -and the same remark will apply in regard to the proposed drainage Gclieme. In short, tho rapidly increasingg requirements of Gisborne make it absolutely imperative that tho Council shall hi.ive nit its disposal a competent Engineer. Mr. Gibbon’s reply to tho ill-consid-ered views of tho petitioners was manly and to the point, and it is eminently satisfactory that a majority of the councillors showed a proper appreciation of tho position.