FRICTION AT A MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19349, 9 December 1924, Page 3

FRICTION AT A MEETING.

PROPOSED APPOINTMENT CAUSES TROUBLE. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS RESENTED. High words and pointed repartrce caused a diversion at the monthly meeting of the Taieri River Trust held at Mosgiel yesterday. The trouble commenced after the following resolution received from the Taieri River Trust Ratepayers' Association had been read: “That this meeting regrets exceedingly to learn of the proposed appointment of Mr Const on to the flood pro- ' tection work now being carried out by the Public Works Department, and begs to intimate that it is registering a protest to Mr Furkort (Under-Secretary of Public Works).” “The matter has nothing to do with them,” said Mr R. T. Sadd (chairman), “and S suggest they should be told to go • to ”

Mr A. Kempsholl: That is not a nice remark to make. They are ratepayers, and, my dear friend ” . Mr Sadd: Don’t call mo your dear friend. Mr Kempshell: Very well. Mr Chairman. The Chairman stated that there had been a great deal of adverse criticism on the question, but Mr Marks would give any necessary details. “Do vou think Mr Marks is going to accept the opinion of a layman?” asked the chairman. Mr Kempshell said Mr Marks was quite capable of carrying out the works, but they did not want any money squandered. The Chairman: It’s not being squandered. . , Mr J. R. Marks (District Engineer, Public Works Department) slated that the resolution received showed a lack of confidence in the Public Works Department to carry out the work economically. There had also been some public criticism of the department’s works which had reached him unofficially. He would point out to the ratepayers, through the trust, that criticism of works during the preliminary stages, and without a full knowledge of what the department was leading to, was most unfair. During the first week or two of commencing a job, it should be understood that the highest efficiency could not be oxpectcd, and critics should wait until a job had been in hand some time. Comparisons were odious, but ho could say that the average cost of the work done to - date compared favourably with any work done by local bodies in the district. It was also being done cheaper than any other such work. The cost of forming the banks had been brought down to Is 3d per cubic yard, including all costs, and so far 15,000 cubic yards had been placed on the banks. Continuing, Mr Marks said his department studied economy, and was quite competent to carry out works. He would therefore ask the ratepayers to refrain from becoming alarmed. As he had explained to a deputation of the trust which had waited on him, his department did not need any assistance to enable it to exercise economy in its methods of construction. With reference to the suggestion to retain Mr Couston’s services and extend his scope in a consulting capacity over the whole proposed programme of works, tho speaker pointed out that that was ft different matter. He stated that Mr Couston had been associated with every engineering difficulty and proposal connected with the Taieri Plain for many years, and probably had the best local knowledge of flood conditions and protective requirements. It did not strike him as being fair that Mr Couston should be asked to give his time for nothing. ... The Chairman said it was his opinion that the Taieri Ratepayers’ Association was not competent to express an opinion. Mr A. P. Fleming said that if any ex ception were to bo taken it should have been done at the recent conference. It was far better to have Mr Couston with them than against them. . Mr B. B. Couston said he wanted it distinctly understood that the appointment was not of his seeking. He had always been the man whom the trust had called on when it was in trouble, and he had never failed to respond. It must be apparent to them all that when tho trust paid him only 5 per cent, on the works in hand, and a retaining fee of £lO per month, he could not keep going. If he did not get £SOO per year he would drop the whole business. Ha could go elsewhere, he would be happy to fill the position, and if he could not save the trust £SOO a year it would, not be his fault. If the trust did not take him, ho would soon be chased by the other •ide. . , The Chairman: I suggest we just receive the letter. That is all it is worth, and in fact its not worth that much trouble. Mr Kempshell: You told them to . The Chairman: I don’t get anything put of this but my expenses. I am a disinterested party, but if it had not been for mo you would never have had tho loan poll earned, and then you would have been up to your necks in it. , , , , Mr Kempshelli If the people hod known they would have to pay tax on the classification the poll would never have been carried. . Mr Couston: Because you opposed my classification scheme you slap at me, and we not men enough to come m the open and fight it out. You are all fri^te^ed. The Chairman again suggested that the letter me received, but no member seemed to be interested and tho clerk read tue milowing resolution received from the ratepayers of Outram which carried the matter a stage further; “That in view of the impending appointment of classifiers to classify the town :of Outram and to reclassify lands adjacent thereto, this meeting unanimously suggests that owing to the profound dissatisfaction caused by the last classification new classifiers bo appointed, and begs respectfully to suggest that the Public Works Department be asked to undertake the W *Mr Couston: There is one thing I would like to know, and that is, who are these PB se Chairman : That is what I want to know. Do they represent the Taieri ratepayers, or are they a few who have got together to make trouble. Mr N. Reid : They appear very much dissuggested that steps be taken to find out who they were, ana whether they were duly constituted. Mr Couston said he had heard that there were only about half a dozen men at tho meeting , , ~ Mr Kempshell: Its the classification they are talking about. Mr Couston : It’s not. , It was eventually decided to receive both letters, and ascertain whether the association was a duly constituted body, how many members there were, and the number at the meeting, and to refer the association tc Mr Marks’s reply in answer to tho first letter.