Borough Council Appeal For Release Of Engineer

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1942, Page 2

Borough Council Appeal For Release Of Engineer

Release from the army of the borough engineer (Captain I. A. Cromie) was sought by the Whangarei Borough Council in an application heard by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Whangarei yesterday. The urgent occasion had now arisen, as had been mentioned in the previous appeal, which had been dismissed subject to Cromie being released for urgent work, said Mr D. J. Thomson, appearing for the borough council. He produced a letter from the army stating that Cromie was engaged in essential work, but could be released when required by the council.

Necessary For Borough Work

In its appeal, the council stated that the engineer was necessary for borough works, following the lifting of the ban on the use of cement, the need for providing improved men’s conveniences as a result of a large number of troops being in the town, the proposal for an additional water supply, while traffic on the roads had been doubled, making the engineer’s services absolutely necessary.' Undoubtedly the most urgent need was water, said Mr Thomson. The level of existing reservoirs had fallen and although they were full at present that position would not obtain in the summer. The presence of troops making big demands on water would aggravate water shortage.. Release of the engineer was required to enable the new supply scheme to be investigated with a contour survey, the land involved having been purchased by the council. Evidence in support, was given by the chairman of the waterworks committee <Mr R. K. Trimmer), who said the council believed that responsibility of the whole work of survey and building of a large dam, if the scheme were approved, should rest on one man. It would be unfair for a private surveyor to carry out the contour survey and then the borough engineer to have the responsibility of working on his figures. The water supply question was urgent. In reply to Major Rhodes, who represented the Army. Mr Trimmer said that the work could not be completed for this summer, but it was necessary to start work immediately. Required By Army Major Rhodes said that Cromie’s services were necessary to the army for the next three to six months and that would leave 12 months for the building of a dam. Unless something was done soon there would be water trouble in Whangarei, said Mr Trimmer. Urgency had been appreciated by the council before it had known of the necessity of meeting a large demand by the army.

Would Not Be Wasted

To Mr A. J. Magee, he said that the project would have to be carried out even if the army supply could be discontinued through withdrawal of troops from the district. For material for carrying out the work, representations would have to be made by the council to responsible officers in Wellington. The council had a definite scheme to augment the water supply. Contour Survey The chairman of the works committee (Mr L. Reynolds) said that a contour survey would take about three months. As a qualified engineer he considered that one engineer should conduct the contour survey and erect the dam.

The number of engineers available was limited and it was necessary to use their services to the best advantage. said Major Rhodes. He asked the board that the council should act as other bodies had done In releasing engineers for work during the day. evenings being utilised for the private work.

Replying' to Mr Thomson, Major Rhodes said that the army realised that the water supply was a matter of urgency, nearly as urgent as the work for which the borough engineer was required by the army. Mutual Arrangement

The chairman (Mr R. Coates') said he believed that both the army and council cculd utilise Cromie's services by mutual arrangement, the whole question being when and for what period, Crorr.ie should be released. The board recommended withdrawal not later than October 15.

Import Surprise Strange discoveries can be made in the most unlikely of places. Observant pedestrians in Whangarei today may have observed in a certain military establishment a wooden case on which was painted in large letters “Made in Germany.”