THE POSITION OF DREDGE ENGINEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12415, 26 July 1902, Page 10

THE POSITION OF DREDGE ENGINEERS.

TO THE EDITOH. Sir,—l was more than pleased (o rend Die letter 'from " Mechanic " in your issus of the 23id ilist. on tlio subject of dredge engineers having to take turn about with firemen, I myself am a marine engineer, having served s j\ : years to the trade, and now hold n marine certificate.' Hesently I applied for an engineer's billet on a dredge, and the reply I got fairly disgusted aw. It was as follows:— " Sir,—Ths directors of the company have accepted your application, and wish vou to start at once, The company have two dredges, and you are expected to assist repairing the machinery of both drodgC3, also to carry coal and juake _ yourself generally useful." "Now, Sir, what is tne use of anyone serving six v era's to lsnrn n trade, and then to be insulted by being asked to do the above. No, Sir, no competent man would do it, but if the dredgo-owners wish their engines to work smoothly, tliay havs a remedy in employing competent engineers (Hot engine-drivers). Niue out of 10 of the men at piesent employed on tlio dredges liavo served no timo to the trade, and the certificates which they hold may be had for the sake of asking ior them, as I know personally that two or three who have them never worked im engine uutil they passed this so-callcd oxaniinatiou. Aow, where do thesis men get their experience ■:rom as regard taking charge of eiigiues and boilers f If the dredge-owners insist in employing such men, no wonder their machinery is continually breaking down, much to their cost. Hoping that this matter will-be taken up bv the competent engineers, and that they v/:il have r. union formed, and rules drawn up as to their respective conditions to work on

(iredges.-

..... wmuvuuia lU. wuni oil 1 anij etc., Exoineer.