EX-CR. SHERIDAN DEFENDS THE ENGINEER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3624, 10 September 1912, Page 6

EX-CR. SHERIDAN DEFENDS THE ENGINEER.

Sir, —Your correspondents “Politician” and "Opportunist” are so conversant with. Councillor Collins’ motives, and have, such a faithful record of that gentleman’s eminent services to the boroutdi, that if we were not so well acquainted with the scrupulous integrity and modesty of the Doctor one would almost tempted to the belief that the author of both effusions was none other than the worthy ex-councillor himself. I'or my own part, when I commenced reading I finite expected to find his name, or, at least, his initials, subscribed. Tt is true that the no-m-de-piume “Opportunist” seemed an extremely light veil. '"'se of us who have had, the distinguished honor of serving with the Doctor know, however, that in borough polities he is the soul of honor —sometimes. Believing. as perhaps I do. that the Doctor is quite unacquainted with the author of “Politician’s” letter, .1 -shall have the temerity to disregard the awful threat at the end cif tineffusion, and be “foolhardy’'’ enough to risk "ncavy blows” and “crucifixion.”

To commence. there is one little* erI ror in ‘‘Politician’s” letter. He mentions 1113- name as one of the active opponents of Mr Lysnar on the Council at the time of Mr. Petti cos appointment as Deputy Mayor. As a matter of fact. I was not at tire- time a member of the Council. “Politician” is not, however, in my I opinion, altogether wrong in his oon- ] elusions as to what has led up to the ! present deplorable state of borough ! affairs, hut forgot to mention that a ; number of us had personally predicted ■ that unless matters were put on a ; business basis'disaster must result, j and that when, on October sth, 1910, | i.e.. two years ago, .Crs. Clavtcn, i Jackson, and myself endeavored to i carry a resolution to have a thorough 1 investigation before proceeding with the various works, Dr. Collins bitterly j opposed the proposition and ascribed • to the mover all sorts of ulterior mo- : tives. Winding up a lengthy, peroraj tion ' with the following memorable' ; words:" The ratepayers have decided ; by no overwhelming majority to carry out the Iwan proposals, and 1 am gbimr jto so'' them tlmomdi if it costs half I a million.” It is interesting right i here to note that tlie name of the exI councillor does not appear on . the ; roll of ratepayers of the borough, so j one cannot fail to appreciate tire DoeI tor’s magnanimity—with other propie’s money.

To my mind, the present deplorable position is plainly attributable to a succession of unfortunate blunders, following on the absurd policy propounded at the time, viz., that all works should be carried -out simultaneously. Almost one of the first letters received after mv re-election to the Council was one from Mr. Alarchant, wherein lie complained that he had been set the almost impossible task of furnishing « scheme, elaborating the same, and providing plans and specifications, in six weeks, when really the least time that should have been allowed was six months. Amain, there was the suggestion from Dr. Mason, regarding the drainage scheme, that “all schemes should be laid before a hoard of experts, who will previously he made acquainted with our financial position and prospects, that thev may decide which scheme should he submitted to the burgesses.” .Those of. your readers who follow municipal polities will remember that we were even offered the gratuitous; services of high public officials on t-lie hoard, and that both Air. A filler and Air. do' La u tour, during their election campaigns, strenuously advocated the acceptance of tho suggestion, which, however, the then .administration “turned down.” So I might go on, but suffice .it to say that in mv opinion tfiere are now few if am- mistakes left for us to make. To fasten the blame on the Borough Engineer is, in mv opinion, entirely wrong. I believe Air Paterson to be a thoroughly competent officer, and shall endeavor to prove my ease (if you will grant me the space) in tomorrow’s issue by a criticism of lus attitude' and behavior on each of the works embodied in the loan proposals. I have always taken a keen, and 1 trust, intelligent, interest in bor'oin’li affairs, and 1 trust that youi ilia'llv readers will suspend judgment till thev hear the case for the Engineer In the meantime I shall content mvself with an expression of the belief that the Engineer and . stall would gladly welcome a commission of engineering and financial expel".'* and court the fullest investigation bj a. hoard of men competent to judge. I shall endeavor to prove, that the position has arisen from the faulty past administration, and the fact that through a-series of unfortunate -blunders and the election of incompetents and irrosponsihles. At the present time instead of having a Mayor who leads the majority, we have a- niajoritv 'thinking and deciding for tut Alavor it being clear that the Mayor has not himself to am- extent been responsible for the occurrence of such circumstances, any .further than at one particular period he allowed lnmself, in what he conceived to he his duty, to he utterly effaced, and carried on a police with which lie was not in sympathy. That the present Mayor lias never been hacked by an intelligent or moderately intellectual Council must be abundantly clear, even to a tvTu in borough politics, and one cannot have read recent reports of Council meetings without coining to the conclusion that there are not more than two. or at most three, councillors who clearly appreciate the position. or have the necessary ability to 'realise, let alone grapple, with the situation, and that clearly the remedy does not lie in the appointment to the Council of hysterical notorietymongers and irresponsible meddleis. Yours faithfully, JOHN SHERIDAN.

I> s— lu champion'll 1 - * lie caus< : the Engineer, I shall he iiropared to debate the subject, either through the press <-r cm the public platform, with these two provisoes; As tar ms tie Press is concerned, I must be acquainted with the identity of fi 11 ? anonymous correspondent entenn.-. the discussion. AYith regard to the public platform, am- controversy takm place shall ho conducted under the strict rules of debate. 3.5.

fThe suggestion that Dr. Collins Wrote the" letters signed “Opportunist” and “Politician” will amuse then respective writers, and possibly Dr. (allins. AY? shall be pleased to affoid Afr Sheridan the space which he may require in defence of the Borough Engineer.—Ed:, G. f l -1