MANAGING A BIG JOB.

Northern Advocate, 10 September 1920, Page 4

MANAGING A BIG JOB.

ENGINEERS APPOINTED

MESSRS BLAIR MASON AND F/RASER.

In his report submitted to the meeting- of the Whang-arei Harbour Board yesterday, *Mr W. -M. Fraser, who had 'been the local engineer to the board for about two years, reminded the members that his engagement had terminated on August 31, and that he had handed to the clerk all plans, correspondence and other documents belonging to the Board.

The chairman remarked that consequently the Board was without an engineer and it was for the members to say what was the next step to adopt. He declared that it was most essential that all works in connection with the harbour should be carried out as efficiently and economically as might ibe practicable, and in that connection he recommended that Messrs Blair Mason and Lee 'be appointed our consulting and designing engineers, provided that satisfactory terms could be arranged with them. Wiith regard to the position of resident engineer it was necessary to deal with the question at once, in order that the engineering surveys, plans, quantities, etc, might be in readiness before the actual dredging was commenced. Besides that there was a lot of work outside the bigger scheme to attend to. Knowing Ithat two memlbers at least of the Board intended to move in the direction of asking Mr Fraser to remain as resident engineer to the Board the chairman had referred the matter to Messrs Blair Mason and Lee, on the grounds that would be unfair to appoint anyone that the consulting engineers might not approve of. The reply to his query was as follows:

"With reference to our opinion on the matter of the appointment of Mr Fraser as resident engineer as asked for Iby you, we desire to say that our negotiations with Mr Fraser during the past year have shown us that he is a zealous and a painstaking officer, and with his local knowledge and keen enthusiasm in harbour matters, we would be prepared to recommend him for the position of resident engineer."

Having received the above recommendation the chairman then wired the Society of Civil Engineers, Wellington, for their opinion re Mr Fraser's appointment and the reply read: "Accept without any hesitation Blair Mason's , advice "

On referring the matter to Mr Fraser the chairman had asked to see his credentials and amongst others had noticed ojpe couched in very complimentary terms from the Public Works Department and also a warrant that he had been admitted as a full member to the Society of Civil Engineers. , However, the chairman left the matter in the hands of members to decide.,

In reply to Mr Jones, the 'Chairman said that Mr Blair Mason's professional charges were very stiff and unless they were amended he con"Sidered that the Board would have to avail itself less of his services , . If the charges were too stiff altogether the whole matter mus,.t be considered further. • ' Captain Patterson thought that Mr Fraser .knew the harbour Ibetter than any outsiders, and he moved, seconded iby Mr Jas. D. McKenzie, that Mr 'Fraser be re-appointed as resident engineer to the Board.

iMr J. R. Mclnnes asked at what salary, and the chairman suggested that it be £600 for full-time service. He considered that Board would require Mr Fraser's full time or none at all. '

Mr McLeod was pleased to support the motion, as Mr Fraser had undoubtedly done good work in the past and knew the harbour well. If Mr Blair Masori were appointed, as consulting engineer, then he considered that the Board would foe safe enough in appointing Mr Fraser. If the services of the former were secured then perhaps the 'Board might find that it needed a man of longer marine experience than Mr Fraser.

Mr TiftMts confessed that he did not know Mr Fraser very well, nor.his professional .qualilfiteafcions, jburtj he had his doubts whether it would not be better to get the services of a man who had had more experience of marine work. Mr Fraser might have all the knowledge necessary, but Mr Tibbits considered that it; was essential that the (board should have the full confidence of the ratepayers on the atter. As members they were only laymjßTi in regard to engineering and could not form any definite.opinion.

To that contention the chairman responded that the Board had the endorsement of Mr ,Blair .Mason and the Civil Engineers' Society to the appointment.

Mr Jones announced that he would against the appointment on the principle that the cart was 'being placed before the horse. The Board should have Mr 'Blair 'Mason's appointment settled first. He thought the question should not be decided at 'that meeting at all.

'Should Mr Blair Mason's , services be required, then, directed the chairman, he must be apponted consulting engineer, .whereupon Mr M'cllnnes moved seconded iby Captain PaUerson, that the appointment be made provided that Mr Blair Mason's charge was not too high. Mr Jones said that he would like to give every member of the Harbour Board staff a month's notice, just to bring the whole question under review. He thought that something of that kind would have to be done, because everything had altered since the loan had been authorised, and the Board would be dealing with hundreds <of pounds where they had previously handled shillings. The appointments, of both engineers were then approved by resoMr Jones recording his vote in opposition, on the principle thathe procedure was incorrect. iMr Mclnnes then moved, seconded by Captain Patterson, that Mr Fraser be offered £50"0 for the first year for a wholetiihe appointment, and that motion was , 'carried unanimously.