HERIOT ROW INQUIRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14927, 1 September 1910, Page 5

HERIOT ROW INQUIRY

FURTHER' EVIDENCE. The Heriot row inquiry was continued last evening, there being present Cr Gilkieon (chairman), the Mayor (Mr T. Cole), Crs Todd, Clark, Rutherford, Wilson, Shacklock, and Stewart. Cr Douglas attended to give evidence. | Cr Douglas stated that as far as t-he resolution of cetEuro was concerned it was passed to a certain extent in haste. They had the information from Mr Richards that Mr M'Curdie had full access to tho Sapors, and' the minute in particular which ad betfn written on Heriot row. That was pointing out the numerous technicalities and possibilities of sorious trouble in the event of the corporation going on with the work. In view of that they felt that Mr M'Curdie had gone a little too hastily On with the work—in fact, that, he had disregarded his instructions entirely, but in the. main tho resolution was more intended as ail indication that there was to be no more work, undertaken by the engineering department without definite instructions from tho committee. When Mr M'Curdie received 'tho resolution he asked for the evidence upon which the committee had com© to its decision. Later on bo (Cr Douglas) met Mr M'Curdie, who seemed to bs very much concerned about this, and was anxious for .an inquiry, and presuming that the relations between the two cngi- | neons were not as cordial as they might be, and being desirous that further trouble should bo prevented as far as possible, ho (Cr Douglas) urgsd Mr M'Curdie not to ask for the inquiry at that time. He thought it wise, because be did not think for a moment this trouble was going to come out and he was very hopeful the position in Heriot row would not bo as serious as it had turned out—that was, as far as expenditure was concerned. He felt sure tho ratepayers would nKet tho council in the expense. Other members had stopped Mr M|Curdie and urged him not io ask for the inquiry, but aa matters went on, Mr Scott in particular in his d?-. sine to jret his entrance fined up as speedily as possible, made his presence felt, very often at the Town Hail. As a result of Mr Scott's .numerous calls at the Town Hall as to what he considered his unsatisfactory treatment, lie called on. him (Cr Douglas) and some other members of tho committee, and a meeting was hold in the Mayor's r-,om. The committee thought they could arrange with him to pay half cost, but ho absolutely refused to nrco?nd further with tho negotiations. Ho (Cr Douglas) wanted to make it plain, in view of the criticism that had been made, that ho ought to take the responsibility for Mr M'Curdie's not asking for the jnquiry. Mr M'Curdie said if te had not appeared to be emphatic in his answers it was not because lie was not .ccrtain of his position and information. Mr Richards was his superior officer, and lie had- no desire to appear pugnacious with him. It was his practioe when Mr Richards took a different view fc-r' him to accept Mr Riehards's view and hold' to it all through. The Mayor: Then Heriot row is the only exception?

Mr M'Curdie.: It is no exception. To ■Mr Clark: Tic continually consulted Mr Richards about Heriofc row. He had no'recollection of any instructions not to start, the work. Cr Clark: Did Mr Richards at any time before f.he work started advise you not to' start' it? . , Mr M'Curdie: I don't think he over advised me not lo start it. No. The Chairman (to Mr Richards): When TO it von went to Syd.nov?. Mr Richards: The 23th September. Tho Chainn-a.n: There was a minute written by you? Mr Richards: Yes; in consequence of a visit to Heriot row. The Chairman: Was a copy of that minute given to the assistant, engineer? Mr Richards: Not given to him; but read to him. The Chairman: When? Mr Richards: After it had been to tiie Works Committee, and instructions given for tho owners of. property likely to be affected by the proposed work to be communicated with. Mr Reynolds was present. I frequently reminded Mr M'Cuivlip the minute in the jSicscnco of Mr Jacobs. Mr Richards proceeded to make a s lengthy statement as to the work done in Heriot row, and said it had been done cheaply and justly, and the citizens hadhron considered. As far as friction with Mr M'Curdie was concerned, •he had never lowered himself with that. Mr M'Curdie: No; no friction.. Mr Richards, continuing, said Mr M'Curdie. as far as he, knew, bad alwavs treated him with proper respect, in his Presence, and lie had had no cause for .friction, so lis disputed what Cr Douglas imght have in his imagination—with very great respect. He was quite satisfied Mr -M'Curdie's. memory had failed him. • Several members of the committee questioned Mr Richards on a variety of matters, and Cr Clark asked him if he made it clear to Mr M'Curdie that there was a danger in going on with tho work. , Mr Richards: I am 'quite certain about 1t,.Or Clark: Was anybody present at thesa conversation? Mr Richards: Mr Jacobs was invariably present. Or Clark: When you left for Sydney you ? , doubt that there was no prcepect of tnis work going on? Mr Richaids: I had r.ot., F. C. Reynolds, employed in the clerical department of the City Corporation, stated that before Mv Riuhards lift {or Sydneysome time in September—he dictated notiefs to owners of frontages. Tint was typed by witness and handed back to Mr Richards. Cr Wilson called and approved of \ Mr Richards sent for then assistant engineer aJid read the notice, togctlier with .the minute. After tho mmuto had been Kiad Mr Richards was vrw? 0 m . upon Mr M Cnrdie to get the consent of the owners of to tlie work hm<r carried out before it was proofed wit.ii. Mr M Cuixiic said, " Oh, that will be all rMit I am arranging for that," or something to that effect. "When witness went to type the notices lie found ho had not tho names of the persons, and he went to Mr M'Curdie, who said he could get them from the P was £Cnfc hy Ml ' Richards »,«•., M Curdle for a plan, which Mr M Curdle refused to give, stating that lie wanted to protect himself. Mr iU'Curdie brought the plan up himself a considerable time afterwards.

-Jteplving to questions, witness said Mr i.-chnrds was particularly anxious for somcf?- i' :c P l * B ®"' conversations, but that did not apply to other officer.?. Mr M'Curdie: Did I not giv-i yon information regarding the plan? Did I not givo you news'iapcr cuttings? Witness: Yes, von did. Mr M'Curdie: I gave him details of the permanent levels in tho Morning Herald Of lcol.

Witness: I asked for the plan, and could not get it.

Mr M Curdie : With regard to that ma,p, I was -smarting under that resolution, and Mr Richards quit© sympathised with me. M.r Richards: I said I did not Ifte vou.r attitude, and that y 0V j wcro very ; ns , ' but r sympathise. with you in ™! r 'w' l T \ f, a , nnot blame jou. ft e all get bumped" sometimes. M3.r.E.i" to ,io »