COUNTY ENGINEER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 85, 23 November 1911, Page 3

COUNTY ENGINEER.

HEiiATiOXS WITH THE ROAD SIAM’ IMPROVED.

ENGINEER LX FELL Cl I ARG l

A low months ago the Stratford County Council discussed the position ol its Engineer. Xo action was taken at that time, hut some dissatisfaction existed among certain Councillors. The Engineer referred to the matter as follows in his report presented to yesterday's meeting of the Council As the new Council commences its term of office with to-day’s meeting, and as considerable diversity of opinion appeal's to exist in regard to the method in which the engineering work of the County is to lie carried out, I should like to have the position definitely set out at this meeting. J may sa\ that I am prepared to still undertake the County’s engineering work to the satisfaction of the Council, hut on the definite understanding that i am a perfectly free agent to engage in any other engineering or survey work I care to. Should the Council decide that it is to its interest to proceed in the future on other lines i shall be pleased to hand in my resignation, the same to take effect, as per my conditions of appointment, throe months from present date. (Jr. Smith said that was where the trouble came in. The foremen should be left as they were. J lie Engineer wanted outside practice because the County could not pay enough salary to secure all his services,and lie tlmugiit it would bo better to have a working overseer and have the present Engineer as consulting engineer. At present there was a good deal of dissatisfaction with tiio existing state of affairs, and a change was desired. Cr. Marfell asked whai salary Mr. Robinson would require to give the Wiiole of his services to the County, lie would like to retain tile services of Mr. Robinson, hut lie wanted to .son him with the complete control of all tlie County’s work. .Mr. Robinson did not reply. Cr. Thomson moved that tiie engineering work he carried out on the Same lines as in the past. There was a big lot of work to be done in the County, and they needed the services of a thoroughly competent engineer. 1 lie Council did not want an overseer. They had tried one previously, and ho had not been a success. There was much rough work to he done, and as the bulk of it was in the East Riding, the East Riding members should favour the retention of the engineer.

Cr. Christoffol: Would Mr. Robinson agree to take over the control ot (lie foremen P

The Engineer: Yes. Cr. Walter said that he would b satisfied if the Engineer agreed U that. Up to now the memiuTS ha; been responsible for foremen, oi whom they might know nothing, tic only desired to alter a system Wuich was unsatisfactory to councillors, duo lidiug members in big riding: could not go round all the works in progress, hut .an engineer could talc a trip round the County and could easily make an estimate of how th< work is going on and whether or'not the men were working well.

Cr. Marfell approved the suggestion, bin- ho would like to see an overseer appointed, who could go round the County often enough to keep in touch with the men and their .vor.-c. dais work could be done by a

Css highly-paid man than an engineer, and the engineer could engage somebody to do it. r l lie Engineer said he would prefer to deal directly with the foremen. Cr v Marfell moved that the Engineer lie placed in full charge of workmen on tho roads. Cr. Smith seconded.

Cr. Walter said he was pleased to support the motion. It was what they had .been lighting for for a long time. The East Riding was a big one, and the riding members could not get in touch with the foremen and their wor k. He thought the proposed scheme would be a success.

I lie question of salary was discuss-

d, Mr. Robinson stating that lie was prepared to assume the extra responsih.lity without extra remuneration. 'i ho motion was carried.