CITY ENGINEERING WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11691, 28 June 1901, Page 6

CITY ENGINEERING WORKS.

In" accordance with notice Mr. F. E. Baume moved the following resolution at last night's meeting of the City Council: — "That applications be invited for the position of city engineer, the salary to be £b'oo per annum and tho term cf engagement five years." In doing so he said a very largo expenditure in connection with city works would have to take place in a short time. High-class engineering knowledge and experience would be necessary, and he was not satisfied that the Council had that knowledge and experience. They could not expect engineering skill on the part of the members of the Council. The gentleman who at present occupied the position of city engineer was a most useful man in his own way. lie might have the ability, but from the nature of the work in the City Council offices ho could not lave the experience to undertake large works. The Council had to face the water supply question, the tramway scheme, drainage matters, street works, the fire brigade station, and were contemplating building a town hall. For all those works high-class engineering skill was absolutely necessary. It was simply ridiculous to expect that they could run a huge concern like the City Council in the way they had been doing. No business house in the world would think of doing it. An expenditure of £800 a year for at any rate five years would be a very small percentage for the assurance of good work.

Mr. Mascfiekl, who seconded pro forma, said that while it might bo necessary to engage an outside man in connection w'ili the tramway scheme, the present engineer was quite competent to undertake all the<.._ncr work. He suggested to Mr. Baume that ho should either postpone the matter 01 refer it to a committee. Mr. Baume replied that if it would suit the members he would be quite willing to adopt either suggestion. Mr. Hewson said the matter should not be touched unless the Council was prepared to go on with it. The present city engineer had never had the opportunity to show what he was capable of except in connection with the sewer between Parnell and the city, and in that case the city engineer showed his abilities to be far ahead of the abilities of other engineers who were connected with the matter. The city engineer had got instructions that would place him. on his mettle, and they should wait to seehow he came out of it. With regard to the tramways, who was more likely to see that work carried out to the letter than the present engineer, who was conversant with the whole matter ? He thought the motion should be withdrawn. He was prepared to, hold to what they had rather than go in for a problematical betterment. Air. Court did not think it was possible for any man to do better than the present city engineer had done. The Council should provide him with proper plant, proper material, and an adequate staff of men, and give him a fair trial. Mr. Kosser agreed with Mr. Hewson. They should give Mr. Wrigg a fair chaiict to show his rapacity. When ho failed it would be sufficient time to advertise for another engineer. Mr. Baume pressed his motion, which was rejected, and on a division being called for there voted for the motion Messrs. Baume and Julian, am! against, Messrs. Stichbury, Court, Masefield, Uaima.ii, Rosser Gamut, Patterson, Hewson and Dignan.