MR BLACKETT'S REPORT.

Colonist, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4400, 16 March 1886, Page 3

MR BLACKETT'S REPORT.

The report of Mr Blackett, C.E., upon the plans for the Nile street bridge as : prepared by Mr Lightfoot, speaks in : no uncertain terms, and substantiated as it is by the evidence which was given at the late inquest by Mr Climie, C.E., and indeed by all the professional evidence, it is a document of great value, and for which the citizens of Nelson owe a debt of gratitude to the Engineer-in-Chief." We have no desire to add to the pain which must be felt by Mr Lightfoot, but duty to the public necessitates a free expression of opinion. The City Surveyor staked his professional reputation on his being able to erect the bridge according to the : design, and offered to give security for the due accomplishment of the work, but there is a concensus of opinion oh the part of the Engineer that the design is altogether faulty," and consequently, j the Surveyor is in the position of one, who having staked, has lost. Now reasoning by analogy, it is clear that the City Surveyor should not be called upon in future to design works for which he has had no training. No doubt Mr Lightfoot has become qualified to superintend and to have carried out most of the work required by the ,; Corporation, and we believe that for Z the duties of a Superintendent of r "Works within the City it would be difficult to find a more competent

man, but we must protest- against hi; ie being saddled with work which woulc be looked upon as more than ordi ld narily responsible by men who har* ld made such work the subject of long and devoted study. In the firsl ie instance it may appear more costly tc call in an expert and find his fees, bul - in the long run we are convinced it d will be found to be true economy, and for the future we hope that it will be c- deemed proper by the Council to consult competent engineers whenever such works as sewerage and brick 5 or stone bridge building are contemplated. It cannot be denied that in all matters affecting the conduct of Municipal business a great responsibility rests with the citizens, and there is something in the assertion that people are governed as well as they deserve to be, though not so much as some would make out for ambition and impudence sometimes win positions of trust when sterling worth is defeated, and that simply because the publio have not sufficient opportunities of judging as to the relative qualifications. That the Burgesses of the City of Nelson may have their municipal affairs conducted as they should be, it is necessary that they should take pains to have the best men returned, and after one or two exhibitions last evening, the ratepayers should watch that in the future their important'trusts may only be reposed in men who will act for the public good, and in a manner creditable to the City. '— -ii" ■■ ■_■ ■ ■-KTf«rt The Garden Pamv at the Cliffs.— Owing to the state of the weather yesterday, the Garden Party, Sale of Work, and Concert, which were to have taken place at The Cliffs, were postponed till this day week. It is to be regretted that a postponement was necessitated after so much trouble had been taken to make the gathering a successful and pleasant one, but though it had to be postponed, there is little doubt but the success is merely deferred. Confirmation Service.—lt willba seen by announcement in another column that the Bishop of Nelson will hold a confirmation at St. John's Church, Wakefield, on Thursday evening. Volunteer Inspection.—The monthly inspection of the Volunteers will take place tomorrow evening, when there will be a late train, as usual, for the convenience of the country corps. Conyersazione.—This evening a conversazione will rake place at the Provincial Hall, the object of which is to welcome t« Nelson ' the Rev A. C. Wright, the new incumbent of ' All Saints', and to bid farewell to the Rev C. . W. Jennings, who for some timo. past has , acted as curato at this parish. All parish- ] ioners and attendants of All Saints are invited , to attend this evening, when addresses will be delivered, but the proceedings as a whole 1 will partake of the nature of a friendly , gathering, and refreshments will be provided. , Collingwood.—Friday the 27th inst., will be a gala day at Collingwood, when the open- , ing of the new Public Hall, which hasjnst been erected in the township, for purposes of ' public entertainments, for lectures, meetings, . &c, will be opened. During the day there will be a crioket match, sports, and other , attractions, and in the evening a concert and entertainment will be given in the new hall. We understand that the Lady Barkly will be j laid on for an excursion, and that it is pro- . bable that an Anchor Line steamer will also . run across with passengers, and as Takaka ; and .the surrounding districts are sure to be ; represented on the occasion, the celebration , of what is really an important step in. the . advancement of Collingwood, is pretty certain ' to be marked by a large and pleasant gather- , I ing. Mr Maginnity who has interested him- * self so largely in tha movement to obtain a suitable place for public amusement in Collingwood, and where the residents of that district may enjoy themselves in a rational manner, is to be congratulated on the sucessful accomplishment of the object he and * others had in view, and we hope that the * building may prove a forerunner ©f still further improvements in the township. j Cricket.—A printer's error occurred in ' yesterday morning's issue, wherein Black was ! credited with a duck's ogg in the second in- y nings of Saturday's match, whereas he ' actually made a score of 8 runs. . SYNOPSIS of NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. \ t The following new announcements. &c, £ appear in this day's issue:— c I On Wednesday a special train will leave t Nelson for Wakefield. r } The Bishop of Nelson will hold a confirma- i tion at Wakefield on Thursday evening, i j The Nelson Land Board meeting is post- , poned. t Notice is given in the matter of the United ( Victory Quartz Mining Company. ( Collectors for the Organ Fund of the Blue ] Ribbon Association are requested to * send or bring in cards. ] Sharp Si Sons have additions to stock sale, j Smythe & Co. advertise valuable city pro- , perty for sale. \ F. J. Kingston notifies his customers re ] payments and clearing sale. ]