LOCAL BODY ENGINEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18947, 19 February 1925, Page 10

LOCAL BODY ENGINEERS.

EFFECTS OF AGREEMENTS. PROFESSION'S INQUIRY. [fir TETJ'.ORjII'H. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CIiRISTCBTTBCH. Wednesday. Uio unsatisfactory position existing regarding agreements between engineers and local bodies was discussed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. F. W. Furkert, chief Government engineer, moved that it be left to tho incoming committee to go into details regarding agreements between engineers and local bodies. Mr. S. Mair moved as an amendment that a committee be set up to deal with the matter right away. Tho opinion was expressed that a number of the contracts made between engineers and some local bodies were not worth the paper they were written on. The engineers were rated in some cases tho same as a servant, and could bo dismissed without reason. In other cases the engineers could bo dismissed by a local body going out of office. Proper legal advice should be obtained to place the whole matter on a proper basis. Mr. Furkert said the society did not have 50 guineas to throw about for legal advice. The society should go to the Government and point out that the law was defective and the Government would investigate tho matter. A committee could not coino to a decision on the matter during the conference. Mr. Mair said he had an exceptional council, but there were little matters such as holidays which were overlooked. When there was a change of personnel the new members of tho council were inclined to overlook the services of the engineers. The amendment was carried and tho committee was instructed to report on tho third day of tho conference. .