TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4646, 26 April 1902, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

MUNICIPAL REORGANISATION. Among the matters remitted to the Reorganisation Committee of the City Council is a document which, couched in the form of a protest, is really a, series of grave complaints against the City Engineer and his mode of carrying out the duties of his office. One of the allegations made against Mr Rounthwaito is that in the administration of the sanitary and building by-laws he places upon these a construction that is, “beyond every reasonable interpretation, involving unnecessary and useless expenditure, and increasing without justification the cost of works carried out at the expense of property-owners.” The protest, which is signed on behalf of the Architects’ / Association, the Builders’ and Contractors’ Association and the Master Plumbers’ Association, makes other more specific accusations against tho City Engineer, which it would bo manifestly unfair to publish at this stage of tho proceedings. Iho signatories profess their ability to prove all their assertions; and considering the unanimity and influence of those signing tho protest, the Council has done perfectly right in making the complaint the subject of close inquiry. The City Engineer, when seen by a “ Times ” reporter yesterday, declined to say anything on the matter in the meantime; but he will, of course, have an opportunity of being heard in self-defence, and will doubtless then have a good deal to say. The public will do well to suspend judgment in the matter until the committee has inquired and reported. The friends of Mr Rounthwaite, who is an able and experienced engineer, may console themselves with the reflection that the old adage, “ Woe unto you when all men speak well of you,” has some application to public officials, especially those occupying a position that brings them into collision with private interests. If the City Engineer has been guilty of no worse offence than over-zeal for tho public weal, much will bo forgiven him; but the allegations definitely made against him axe such as must be investigated, in the interests of large and influential sections of the community.