HARBOUR ENGINEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12001, 25 June 1902, Page 5

HARBOUR ENGINEER.

RESIGNATION OF MR. LA ROCHE. A NEW APPOINTMENT TO BE MADE. SALARY £1000 PER ANNUM. At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board a letter was received from Mr. C. La Roche, resigning his position as engineer to the Board. He stated that the management of his late father's business would occupy all his time for a considerable period. He wished to be relieved at as early a date .as possible.

The Chairman (Mr. W. Gunson) pointed out that Mr. La Roche was under engagement to the Board till the end of the year. Ho thought, however, they ought to consider the circumstances and Mr. La, Roche's services to the Board for the past 22 years, and he suggested that they grant Mr. La Roche leave of absence for the balance of the year. Mr. La Roche would remain in town and ho had stated that he would give what advice he could in connection with the Board's work.

Mr. G. Cozens: Does that mean leave of absence on full pay ? The Chairman: Yes.. Mr. J. A. Walker said they should retain Mr. La Roche's services as consulting engineer. Mr. J. T. Julian said in the circumstances the Board ought to hurry up the matter of employing a permanent engineer. Mr. W. J. W. Philson asked if the chairman intended that Mr. La Roche should leave the Board office within a month, and if so what arrangement did he suggest for carrying on the Board's engineering work. The Chairman said Mr. Taylor could carry on all the work the Board had in hand at present. Mr. Julian moved and Mr. Philson seconded, "That the matter be referred to the Works and Tariff Committee," and this was unanimously agreed to. At a subsequent stage the Works and Tariff Committee reported on Mr. Witheford's motion for the employment of an engineer as follows: That conditions of appointment of engineer be as follows:—(1) Engineer to have full control of all works in connection with the Board; (2) appointment to bo determinable upon six months' notice on either side; (3) salary to be at the rate of £1000 per annum; (4) advertisement to be inserted in Australian and New Zealand papers, and also in the Engineer and Engineering, and two advertisements in both the Times and the Scientific American; (5) age to be from 30 to 55 years, _ applications to be accompanied by testimonials. The report was adopted without discussion, and Mr. Witheford congratulated the Board on having at last arrived at a wise decision on the matter.