PRIHAKA RIDING ENGINEER.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 82, 16 April 1895, Page 2

PRIHAKA RIDING ENGINEER.

We are quite at a loss to understand the methods adopted by the Taranaki County Council.with its contractors, engineers, foremen, &c., and it is little wonder that it is the laughing stock of the country side. Wo were under the impression that the Council was elected by the ratepayers to collect the revenue from the various sources and to expend the same to the best advantage, having regard to expenditure in different portions of the district in proportion to revenue contributed. It was our opinion that then the members, elected by the various ridings, brought the wants of the part they re presented before the Council, and it rested with the Council to confirm or otherwise deal with the proposed ex-

penditure. As the members could not be expected to give up their time to supervising the expenditure, or it might be they were not competent, we unlerstood it was customary to appoint an engineer or foreman to do this part of the work. Before making such an appointment it should be the duty of the Council to ascertain, and thoroughly satisfy itself, that the man whom they were about to appoint was thoroughly competent to fulfil . the duties appertaining to the office. Once they were satisfied on this point and the appointments made, there are then certain rules of courtesy and honor which should be strictly regarded in their dealings with him. Should the Council become dissatisfied with the appointment, and come to the conclusion that the engineer is not capable, and that they had not exercised due discretion in his appointment, then as honorable men they should own up their own incapacity or carelessness in making such an appointment, and take stops, above board, to terminate his engagement. That such has not been their straightforward or manly method of dealing with the engineer appointed for the Parihaka Riding is painfully evident from the report of the last meeting of the County Council and subsequent action of the members for the riding. We are prepared to admit that it may be over-zeal on their part for the welfare of the ratepayers which has led them to assume the role of detectives, but whatever may have been the moving spirit their method of procedure is certainly not to be commended. It would appear that they visited one of the contracts on the Eltliam Road and took therefrom a sample of gravel which they describe as unfi) to be used. What we consider their duty was, was first to enquire from the engineer had he inspected it and was he satisfied with it. If he had not inspected and passed it he certainly could not be held blamable unless his attention had been called to it. If the members were not satisfied, it was then their duty, out of common courtesy, to have requested the engineer to visit the works with them ; if he declined to do so, then they would be justified in visiting the works without him, taking samples, checking measurements, * or taking whatever other steps seemed to them necessary to ascertain if the ratepayers were getting the best possible value for their money, and then duly lay the matter before the Council so as to bring i bout its interference. The anomaly, however, was shown at the meeting, that in one case in which-the engineer had condemned certain material the members held that he was wrong, and to prove this produced a sample from another contract so as to convince the Council that he was not a competent judge. The Council then, without consulting the engineer, varied the contract and duly forwarded it to the engineer to see that it was carried out according to the amended specifica ions. Subsequent to this the members for the Parihaka Riding virtually took charge of the works by assuming control of the spreader engaged by the Council, issuing instructions to him to the effect that he was to take notice of no one but the chairman, clerk of the Council, or the members for the riding. We would point out the utter absurdity of such action. If the chairman, clerk, or riding members, being competent men, are willing to undertake the engineering work it would be a considerable saving to the ratepayers interested in the area, but once they undertake to do so we cannot see the utility of keeping on a paid engineer, and consider that the more straightforward and business way would be to take steps to either dispense with his services or back him up and rely on his judgment.