THE CITY COUNCIL AND ITS ENGINEERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 54, 4 March 1918, Page 6

THE CITY COUNCIL AND ITS ENGINEERS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your review of the position and suggestions that the Council reconsider the matter is to be commended, and meets with the approval of a number of ratepayers, including several of our leading business men. Both Engineers are admittedly efficient and capable men—their services have given general satisfaction, and it would be against the best interess of the city to lose the services of such excellent officials. The Council having accepted the resignation of the City Engineer and given the Gas Engineer three months' notice, are in a somewhat difficult position when asked to reconsider the matter. But, if the Council will look at the matter from the view-point of public interest the difficulty will. disappear. 'Owing to overlapping of ■ departments there has been friction and misunderstandings between the Engineers, which has resulted in the present trouble. Speaking as an exCouncillor, I am confident that matters 1 in connection with the two departments ean be so arranged as to leave no room for friction unless the Engineers are looking for trouble. My personal knowledge of the two men leads me to be- | lieve that the hatchet is really buried, and that the departments would run smoothly and in the best interests of ratepayers and all concerned. The way in which the Council dealt with the matter is, I think, somewhat open to question, and unfair to the Engineers. The business could have been considered in open Council with the Engineers present, and then dealt with in committee. I understand that Mr Neil, for instance, was not given a hearing, but simply advised or asked to tender his resignation. Sir, this seems a little un-British and not worthy of-a public body. I sincerely hope that the Mayor will see his way to have the matter reconsidered with a view to the reappointment of both En gineeTS. His Worship will have the public with him. I am, etc., E. WEBLEY.