MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1881. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 175, 21 November 1881, Page 2

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1881. NEW PLYMOUTH HARBOR.

In reply to a question put by Mr. Torke at the last meeting of the Harbor Board, the Chairman explained that the appointment o£ Mr. Rhincl as engineer tvas renflei^d neeussary hy the Mtcr's refusal to play second fiddle to any other man, and it would be a serious matter if Mr. Rhind left, as alterations in building and machinery had been commenced by him which would be difficult of completion by any other person. In conse?[uence, the foreman of works will henceorth be known as resident engineer, and although he has until lately only been in receipt of £200 a year, be is not now satisfied with the £400 offered by the Board. People, including Major Atkinson, as the saviour of the scheme. M\\ Yovke, as a. \iv.o. testing member of the Board, and others who have reconsidered the question, now begin to doubt the wisdom of this appointment of an engineer, who is not and never has been one. It is an open secret that Major Atkinson telegraphed regretting the appointment of a man as engineer whose qualifications were very doubtful, and in whose competence the House of Representatives could not possibly have any confidence. It is even said that the Major told the Board that unless they appointed an engineer of standing at once, be feared that the endowment of 25 per cent, of the land fund would certainly be taken away. Under these circumstances, the Board has again determined to re-organise the stuff, and will, of course, attempt to amend the mistake indicated above. We are informed that Mr. Torke has recommended tbe appointment of Mr. Thompson, as Chief Engineer has been recommended by Mr. Blackett) to examine and report on the progress of the works, and on the desii'ableness of a section of the work being let by contract. He proposes that only a provisional appointment shall be made, until such report has been made and considered. That an examination and report is needed, is unfortunately, only too evident from the jumble and confusion which, certainly exists at present, and which can only be amended by an experienced professional man. Mr. Rhind has said that if a man is appointed over his head, he will throw up his billet. Even so great a misfortune as that, would be preferable to tbe demoralisation which must be caused by an open defiance of tbe authority of the Board, and of the determination apparently evinced to " run " the whole concern, including the Titan, the steam launches, the men, and tbe Board. If Mr. Rhind . should resign, he will probably hope to. be a contractor under the Board for the construction of the work, and for such a position, it would be difficult to find a better man either in

this colony or elsewhere. The total funds of the Bo ml available for future expeiiilittire are now -mij about £Il>U.«iCO. This is at present diminishing al the rate of from i'liuO co £io'JU monthly (exclusive of purchases of oeuirnt), only a comparatively small portion of the expenditure bciiig represented by additions to the breakwater. The sooner the practicability of ccmtiimiDg tiie -work by contract, at or near the price pir cubic yard estimated by Mr. Blaukettis tested the better. -Mr. Thompson, if appointed to report, could say how this might best be done, and in the event of his recommendations being approved of by the .Board, and endorsed by Mr. Blackett, he could rest a c snred that he, and no one else would be appointed to superintend and direct the work and to Bee that proper precautions were taken to preserve and keep in thoroughly good repair some £40,00U worth of plant and material.