Catchment Board Wants Own Engineer

Grey River Argus, 28 October 1948, Page 2

Catchment Board Wants Own Engineer

The seconding of engineers from the Public .Works Department, to the Westland Catchment Board, was described by Mr. J. R. Shepherd at the Board meeting yesterday as a condition that should not exist. He considered that the Board should be allowed to appoint its own engineer. He was referring to the transfer of the Engineer (Mr. W. S. Ross) to Canterbury and the seconding of another Public Works Engineer to the Board. The Chairman (Mr. F. F. Boustridge), said that representations had been made from time to time, but the Government, in view of the shortage of engineers, was not prepared to give way. Another point was that the Government claimed that Catchment Boards had previously taken all the best engineers, and paid them higher salaries. Mr. Shepherd moved that the S.C. & R.C.C. be asked to clarify the position, and if necessary, to obtain a subsidy to pay for an Engineer if the Board could not afford it. Mr. Boustridge said it would be an advantage to have their own engineer, and avoid transfers at intervals. The matter was agreed to.